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Legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. Announces Retirement from NASCAR

Legend and Veteran NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced his retirement on Tuesday, effective at the end of the 2017 racing season.

“I accomplished way more than I ever dreamed, way more than I ever thought I’d accomplish,” Earnhardt said. “So I’m good, you know. I’m good on that front. I’m so blessed and fortunate on what I was able to achieve but I’m very sad because it’s definitely disappointing for a lot of people to wake up to that news this morning.”

Earnhardt’s retirement was officially announced via a  NASCAR’s official release:

The 14-time Most Popular Driver has won 26 times in 603 starts over a career that began at age 24 in 1999. Among his accomplishments are two Daytona 500 crowns (2004, 2014) and two championships (1998, 1999) in what is now called the NASCAR XFINITY Series.

Earnhardt, 42, returned to competition in the No. 88 Chevrolet this year after a concussion sidelined him from NASCAR’s top series for half of the 2016 season. Through his rehabilitation process, Earnhardt has become a vocal advocate for research of sports-related brain injuries. Earnhardt’s best finish in eight starts this season was fifth place at Texas Motor Speedway on April 9. He currently is ranked 24th in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series standings.

Earnhardt Jr., who has recently wed, has been contemplating his future for months. Speaking with ESPN earlier this year, he stated that he would rather walk and raise a family, than risk further injury on the track.

Congratulations Dale on your spectacular journey!

 

 

Sources: 247spots, NASCAR.com

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