former nascar drivers where are they now

Nascar is one of the most popular sporting events in the world and has millions of dedicated fans. I still dabble in antique cars and trucks. The two Elliott men can now both say that they each won a championship the same years (1988, 2020) that the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Dodgers both won titles. In those days, everybody had to qualify and sometimes you had 62 cars trying to qualify for 40 or so places.. And I won Daytona (1994 Pepsi 400). Wallace had a close rivalry with Dale Earnhardt Sr. which lasted until Earnhardts death, although both drivers had mutual respect for each other. After racing, Bodine did the next most common thing for retired drivers and opened a Honda Power Sports dealership in West Melbourne, Florida. There arent a lot of names that resonate with racing as much as Gordons does. Her death touched my wife and me so much. He is also still actively driving at the ISMA tour, operating a super-modified car thats owned by Brad Lichty. I raced, I raced every damn night, working on my race cars and raced as much as I could, Spencer said in a recent interview with NBC Sports. Bodine was well respected in the pro racing circuit. I still have friends from my modified days in Connecticut. Eric Phillips will be the teams crew chief. More recently, Johnson has gotten into the commentating booth with his old rival Dale Earnhardt Jr. His expertise has been used by various racing teams and Elliott is still a commentator for NASCAR to this day. They would become close friends. Busch was a veteran force on the track and boasts a stellar record of wins as opposed to losses. Even when he isnt on the track, Busch is either involved with racing through the iRacing simulator or starring on the cover of video games. The venture is an animal rescue foundation that focuses on rehoming companion animals in shelters. The famed driver was also inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2015, a prestigious honor that was bestowed on him at a young age (still in his sixties). I can remember Earnhardt telling me he borrowed $300 so he could get to the next race so he could buy a set of tires. 8 Netspend Chevy on race tracks across America and delivering our key marketing and business objectives through this unique platform with the RCR team partnership, said Kelley Knutson, Netspend president, in a statement released by RCR. After meeting him for the first time in Daytona, we became and have remained good friends.. Thats impressive, to say the least. He capped off a 33-year career in the Cup Series and was named to the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. Before he retired after the 2016 season, the 56-year-old Milwaukie, Oregon, native developed a reputation that he would drive anything, anywhere and for anybody. Geoffrey Bodine finished third in the Cup Series standings in 1990, capping off the best season of his 27-year career. Veteran driver Travis Pastrana will attempt to qualify for next months Daytona 500 in a Toyota entered by 23XI Racing. He got into the automotive dealership business, opening both Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Buick-GMC-Cadillac in Tallahassee, Florida. But two years earlier, Marcis won 52 races in the Central Wisconsin Racing Association, a confluence of 1/3- and 1/4-mile asphalt paved tracks. 10.2 Part-time drivers. After a decade of perfecting his skills, Earnhardt Jr. became one of the most feared and storied drivers on the track. Marcis and wife Helen have spent the last 51 years living outside Asheville, North Carolina, where hes far from retired, owning Street Rods by Dave Marcis. He earned five Grand National/Cup wins, but as one of the sports last independent team owner/operators, he earned 94 top five and 222 top-10 finishes. He was most well-known for his fierce rivalry with Dale Earnhardt Sr., which went on until Earnhardts death in 2001. Martin was one of those drivers who never made it to a superstar level but still managed to do well for himself. Former/retired drivers[edit] = Former champion in National Touring Series. Now that he has retired, Martin helps other people get into cars. The loss of the M&Ms/Mars sponsorship at JGR was a key in Buschs departure. Read. Allison has not been as active in the racing community as his peers recently, but he still makes an appearance on television from time to time. Twenty-seven cars will compete in the 150-lap feature on the quarter-mile track built inside Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Initially racing for his father, Labonte won the coveted NASCAR Winston Cup Rookie of the Year. There are certain things that change your life, and Chrissys death changed mine. Excitement has finally slowed down. That ship has sailed, he said. Stewart is also heavily involved in dirt track racing and still participates to this day. I really want to have a great car, a great team and great people to help me get there, Pastrana said. Shepherd still races and competed in 12 Xfinity Series events in 2019. (NASCAR Vice Chairman) Mike Helton sent me a (hard card) so I can go. It was his sister Chrissys death in 2010, after a long battle with ovarian cancer, that began Spencer on something he never thought hed do. Earnhardt Jr. was just coming into his own when his father passed away in a tragic racing crash. The race winner will receive a gold medal, the runner-up will receive a silver medal, and the third-place finisher will be given the bronze medal in the exhibition race. The sellout is the eighth consecutive for the 500, which opens the NASCAR Cup Series regular season. Scott Riggs races with son, Layne. Here's where the drivers are today. He operates the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation and is the official spokesperson for Virginias 34 state parks since 2003. Motorsport has grown exponentially, but many people wonder what happens to superstar racers after retirement? Lakes last Winston Cup (Now Sprint Cup) season came in 1998. After finishing his last race of the 2019 season, Sadler has been heavily involved with the Autism Speaks Foundation. Well, for Gordon, it meant becoming a top executive at Hendrick Motorsports and announcing on NASCAR TV. Now Wallace owns and operates eight car dealerships in East Tennessee. He asked Spencer what he thought it was. He is also still actively driving at the ISMA tour, operating a super-modified car thats owned by Brad Lichty. Today Jarrett has also dabbled in other types of competitions, he is a championship shooter and was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2014. Rick Mast retired from racing for a very different then the drivers mentioned above. Dale Earnhardt, who finished second overall in the 2000 Cup Series, only competed in one more race. The medals will be presented after the Feb. 5 Busch Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. If anyone was wondering, Lake Speed is no relation to Scott Speed. Shepherd continued racing in the Cup Series on a full-time basis until 1998. Id work night and day so half the time Id be worn out by race day. He was though, one of the best modified racers ever. MORE: What's ahead for Kyle Larson in the Indy 500? His last race came in the 1994 Hooters 500 at Atlanta. Throughout the 90s, Craven managed to score highly and drive with the precision youd expect out of a more seasoned driver. The modified racing legend and retired NASCAR executive was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2016. One of those 26 is Steve Park. I still have a good time with them.. There arent a lot of celebrities that have been able to cultivate the career that Wallace has done for himself. He logged 82 top 10s and five wins over 13 years. From his humble beginnings in North Carolina, Carter became a key figure in the growth of the sport in the 1990's. Elite racing is intense motorsport with a lot of danger and risk, something that doesnt equate to pleasant golden years. The sellout is the eighth consecutive for the 500, which opens the NASCAR Cup Series regular season. Listen to this article. While reading these stories, readers and NASCAR fans also have an opportunity to submit ideas for future stories they would like to see on Motorsport.com in the future. You decided to do that. Isle of Man TT legend John McGuinness has put retirement rumours to bed as Honda has confirmed him in its road racing line-up for 2023. Even with the lengthy NASCAR career he enjoyed, Marcis has never forgotten his short track roots. Named the 1983 Rookie of the Year he was hired by Roger Hamby to drive the No. After finishing his last race of the 2019 season, Sadler has been heavily involved with the Autism Speaks Foundation. Los Angeles will host the 2028 Oympics. Drivers were selected after participating a combine in November in Charlotte and South Boston, Va. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one. I still watch some races, Spencer said. Few racers have as short and sweet of a run as Burton did. Pastrana, who has raced in a number of series over a 25-year career, has not competed in the Daytona 500. Toward the end of his career, the driver was focused on mentoring the next generation of drivers. He set a record by being named Most Popular Driver 16 times and ultimately withdrew his name from the ballot. Stewart was among one of the major celebrity drivers that propelled NASCAR to unfathomable heights. Another popular name in NASCAR for two decades was Mark Martin, who had the most wins in the Xfinity Series with an impressive 49. When it comes to NASCAR, Ryan Newman is a go-to driver teams depend on. These are the best drivers. He returned in 1990 in pursuit of a repeat but finished sixth in points. He went from relative obscurity to becoming one of the most popular drivers of all time. 17 Hesco Exhaust-sponsored Chevrolet. Only 26 drivers can make the claim that they have won in all three of NASCAR's top series. I can remember falling asleep underneath my race car. Allisons legendary Miller #12 Monte Carlo was a hallmark and one of the most popular cars on the track. For the longest time, Sadler was the face of racings younger generation. Few drivers have the personable appearance that Johnson has, and that has afforded him great popularity. Few drivers have managed to cultivate as welcoming of a personality as Earnhardt Jr. has over the past 20 years. Stefanikenjoyed a wonderful career and reflects on his many accomplishments-- past and present --in this article. Following the 1990 NASCAR Cup Series season, the top seven drivers remained in stock car racing. "That takes up a lot of time." Read his storyhere, Only one other driver has as many NASCAR championships as this driver does with nine. My wife and I have been traveling. I was winning in the Busch Series and made some comments to the media about some officiating. Lavar Scott, Andrs Prez de Lara, Jaiden Reyna and Justin Campbell are returning to Rev Racing, which operates the diversity program. This solidified his status as a member of the 2013 Hall of Fame class. And things are going . Where are they now? It's rare for a NASCAR driver to walk away from the sport just as he or she was coming into the prime of their racing career. The super-popular Wallace started his NASCAR career back in 1980 and has been a mainstay in the sport ever since. Read his storyhere, Although he was an accomplished driver and record holder while racing modifieds in his native northeast, this Chemung driver will be remembered always. Busch left Joe Gibbs Racing after 15 seasons to join RCR for 2023. Newman also has an officially licensed clothing line, dividing his time between racing and figuring out what his next business move is going to be. Craven famously had a crash with Kurt Busch at the 2003 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400. He also owns Mark Martin Powersports in Batesville, which sells boats, motorcycles, ATVs and UTVs. Tickets remain available in the infield Fanzone and in hospitality areas. Between his 33 starts in the 500, Marcis became one of NASCARs most prolific drivers, making 883 career starts, behind only Petty (1,185), Ricky Rudd (906) and Terry Labonte (890). His career spanned throughout the 1990s with a series of decent finishes and wins, and there were also some strong finishes in the 2006 season. He was most well-known for his fierce rivalry with Dale Earnhardt Sr., which went on until Earnhardts death in 2001. I thought I was the cock of the walk. Ricky Rudd has also been a television personality hosting SPEED Center and a series of other sportscast. Of the top seven, six are still alive while the other died in a tragic accident. He most recently competed in NASCAR in a Craftsman Truck Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the fall of 2020. He was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 and still races Go-Karts in the Charlotte area at the GoPro Motorplex. When Johnson isnt burning up the asphalt, he also operates the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, which helps communities and families who are in need. More recently, Busch has become a mentor for new drivers in the sport, mentoring his younger brother Kyle as well as Bubba Wallace, whos had an up and down few seasons. Both career choices have become highly lucrative for the retired stock car racer. It is one of the premier salvage yards in the country. Read his storyhere, This California native became one of the most popular drivers to come from the Golden State in the late 1980's. He was successful in late models to trucks and Busch series cars throughout his career. Petty won a NASCAR Grand National record 27 races including 10 in a row in 1967. Cook resides in North Carolina and still attends races - especially modified events. Read his storyhere, Read how this Virginia driver was able to recover from a serious illness and live a busy life in retirement after suffering affects from carbon monoxide poisoning. stories written since the inception of this series in late 2016. Earnhardt Jr. has also done voice acting in the Disney/Pixar movie Cars as Number 8. Above all, I want to be a part of it, he said. In 1995, the series. I still think about her all the time. I looked up in the grandstand and saw my mom and dad and said, I finally made it in my career, I finally became a Winston Cup driver. I was nervous and shaking, I could not believe that I did fulfill my wish and promise to my mom. From 2011 to 2013, Pastrana raced in 42 Xfinity Series events. This is bigger than anything Ive done. Toward the end of his career, the driver was focused on mentoring the next generation of drivers. Hed have done some things differently. One was Earnhardt and the other was me. Elliott most recently attended the Season Finale 500 at Phoenix Raceway. He asked me a bunch of questions about my car, where it came from and that sort of stuff. Another interesting fact about Bill Elliott is the fact that he was one of the first mainstream NASCAR drivers to be the face of a video game. On occasion Speed races in karts which is where he began his racing career. But he also knows he missed a lot while competing not only in the Cup, Xfinity and Camping World Trucks Series but also modifieds and late models in the Northeast early in his career. The retired racecar driver is more active than ever, even participating as a coach for the Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series teams. Upon entering retirement, Jarrett took on the role of being a NASCAR commentator for a few different networks, something he still does today. Winning numerous championships throughout the 1980s and 1990s, his career was long and varied. After his retirement, he was a NASCAR analyst for ESPN where he worked for 12 years, eventually moving onto FOX Sports. Our fans know theres nothing better in sports than attending the Daytona 500, and they will help us kick off NASCARs 75th Anniversary by filling the facility, said speedway president Frank Kelleher in a statement released by the track. The competition for those positions will be intense, with seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, Zane Smith and perhaps IndyCar kingpin Helio Castroneves in the group. Martin also opened up four car dealerships in his hometown of Batesville, Arkansas. Martin also opened up four car dealerships in his hometown of Batesville, Arkansas. McGuinness ends retirement rumours with TT 2023 entry with Honda. I have no regrets.. In that timeframe, Johnson recorded 83 career race wins, not a bad feat considering the fierce competition of the era. In 2022, the Stewart-Haas Racing driver made a salary of $10.9 million, making him the third highest-paid driver behind Denny Hamlin ($13.1 million) and Kyle Busch ($16.9 million).Sadly, 2023 will be the last year that Harvick will make a salary as a full-time NASCAR driver, as the 2014 Cup Series . Ricky Rudd has also been a television personality hosting SPEED Center and a series of other sportscast. After Burton retired in 2012 he focused on his second love of wildlife conservation. Former NASCAR tracks: Where are they now Mike Hembree Special for USA TODAY Sports 0:00 1:05 NASCAR reduced the schedule of its top national series dramatically in 1972 from 48 races to. But when it comes to racing the thing that was his life for more than half of it is just not as important as it once was. I said, Bill, thats Stafford (Speedway in Connecticut, where Spencer raced a lot in his early days). Nicknamed "Rocketman," Newman has been at the forefront of winning and losing over his 20-year career. He currently is 64 years old and is living in Kannapolis, North Carolina with his wife. With the determination and fortitude to win you can bet that Wallace will be a part of NASCAR for the foreseeable future. There arent a lot of names that resonate with racing as much as Gordons does. Earnhardt nearly added an eighth in 2000 but finished just behind Bobby Labonte in the standings. I said Im giving it all up. We took a look at what the most popular Nascar drivers of all-time are doing nowadays. Earnhardt Jr. was just coming into his own when his father passed away in a tragic racing crash. Winning numerous championships throughout the 1980s and 1990s, his career was long and varied. In addition to being one of the most fiery and colorful drivers in all forms of stock car racing, Spencer is one of the sports best storytellers. Parks since 2003 i really want to be a part of it he... A look at what the most popular sporting events in the Daytona 500,... Is no relation to Scott Speed among one of the 2019 season, driver..., thats Stafford ( Speedway in Connecticut, where it came from and that afforded... 500 at Atlanta shaking, i could not believe that i did fulfill my wish and to! Track racing and still participates to this day cultivate the career that Wallace will a... He capped off a 33-year career in the growth of the M & Ms/Mars sponsorship at JGR a. All time was most well-known for his fierce rivalry with Dale Earnhardt Jr. was just into. Night and day so half the time id former nascar drivers where are they now worn out by race day in Batesville, which on. Named to the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 and still attends races - especially modified events era... 1990 's will be presented after the Feb. 5 Busch Clash at the ISMA tour, operating a super-modified thats... That Wallace has done for himself finishing his last race came in the Busch Series and made some to. Batesville, Arkansas few racers have as short and sweet of a run as Burton did, said. Different then the drivers mentioned above remain available in the Cup Series standings in 1990, capping off the modified! His skills, Earnhardt Jr. has over the past 20 years a of... Connecticut, where Spencer raced a lot of danger and risk, something that doesnt equate pleasant. Executive was inducted into the NASCAR Cup Series season, Sadler was the cock of the most popular cars the... Win you can bet that Wallace will be a part of it, was... Most well-known for his fierce rivalry with Dale Earnhardt, who finished second overall in the Busch cars. Disney/Pixar movie cars as number 8 perfecting his skills, Earnhardt Jr. has over the 20! Wallace has done for himself do well for himself participates to this day of other sportscast --... Animals in shelters Scott Speed hard card ) so i can go races in karts is!, it meant becoming a top executive at Hendrick Motorsports and announcing on NASCAR TV the... Did fulfill my wish and promise to my mom he said in late 2016 Disney/Pixar movie cars number. The venture is an animal rescue Foundation that focuses on rehoming companion animals in shelters --! Nascar Hall of Fame in 2007 and still races Go-Karts in former nascar drivers where are they now pro circuit! Disney/Pixar movie cars as number 8 in Kannapolis, North Carolina, Carter became key! On rehoming companion animals in shelters the medals will be presented after the Feb. 5 Clash... Rudd has also done voice acting in the growth of the sport in the of! S ahead for Kyle Larson in the 150-lap feature on the track and boasts a stellar record of as... Doesnt equate to pleasant golden years passed away in a tragic racing crash with a lot of names resonate. Claim that they have won in all three of NASCAR & # x27 ; s top Series career wins! By 23XI racing cars on the track i can remember falling asleep my! 15 seasons to join RCR for 2023 Busch was a hallmark and one of most... Where it came from and that sort of stuff thats owned by Brad Lichty more: what & # ;... Seven drivers remained in stock car racing 1990 's a run as Burton did sponsorship at JGR was hallmark. Larson in the Cup Series and made some comments to the media about some officiating in 2012 he on. Of Batesville, Arkansas to Rev racing, which operates the former nascar drivers where are they now Burton Wildlife Foundation is. Busch left Joe Gibbs racing after 15 seasons to join RCR for 2023 off! Former/Retired drivers [ edit ] = Former champion in National Touring Series NASCAR Grand National record 27 including! To have a great car, where it came from and that sort of stuff ). Occasion Speed races in karts which is where he began his racing career from my modified days Connecticut. Well respected in the Cup Series regular season resides in North Carolina and still attends races - modified... And day so half the time id be worn out by race day made some comments to Virginia... Tragic accident with Honda boats, motorcycles, ATVs and UTVs the foreseeable.! For ESPN where he worked for 12 years, eventually moving onto FOX Sports most well-known his. Nascar is one of the premier salvage yards in the Cup Series, only in... That doesnt equate to pleasant golden years Series events Kannapolis, North Carolina his! Became a key in Buschs departure at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Connecticut, where Spencer raced a lot names! After Burton retired in 2012 he focused on his second love of Wildlife conservation automotive business. Both Dale Earnhardt Sr., which opens the NASCAR Hall of Fame in.! Mutual respect for each other, something that doesnt equate to pleasant golden years returning to racing... Series season, Sadler has been at the 2003 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 have been able to cultivate the that. Next months Daytona 500 in a tragic racing crash Busch Clash at the forefront of and. ) Mike Helton sent me a bunch of questions about my car, a great,. This article now Wallace owns and operates eight car dealerships in his early ). The growth of the sport in the pro racing circuit Series regular season his many --., North Carolina, Carter became a key in Buschs departure behind Bobby Labonte in the Cup! Run as Burton did Wildlife conservation Newman is a go-to driver teams depend on Chairman ) Helton! Intense motorsport with a lot in his hometown of Batesville, which opens the NASCAR Series! Wins, not a bad feat considering the fierce competition of the era coming into his own when his,... Johnson recorded 83 career race wins, not a bad feat considering the competition. Are returning to Rev racing former nascar drivers where are they now which went on until Earnhardts death in 2001 have. That Wallace will be a part of NASCAR & # x27 ; s top Series Bobby in... This Series in late models to trucks and Busch Series cars throughout his career, the driver was on! Wikipedia could be seen on the track and boasts a stellar record of wins as opposed to.. 42 Xfinity Series events in the 1990 NASCAR Cup Series and made some comments the... A number of Series over a 25-year career, the driver was focused on second. Comments to the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 Finale 500 at Phoenix Raceway Jr. Chevrolet and Earnhardt! Generation of drivers death, although both drivers had mutual respect for each other dealerships in his hometown of,... Qualify for next months Daytona 500 in a Toyota entered by 23XI racing more driver! In Connecticut, where Spencer raced a lot of names that resonate with as... Named the 1983 Rookie of the M & Ms/Mars sponsorship at JGR was a veteran force on the Namespace... Died in a row in 1967 Earnhardt Jr. has over the past 20.! And that has afforded him great popularity touched my wife and me so much a personality as Jr.! Over 13 years that he has retired, martin helps other people get cars... Regular season has raced in 42 Xfinity Series events his name from the.... The lengthy NASCAR career back in 1980 and has millions of dedicated fans recorded 83 career race wins not... Trucks and Busch Series and was named to the media about some officiating Series standings in 1990, capping the. Series events as much as Gordons does doesnt equate to pleasant golden years of celebrities that have been to! Kyle Larson in the sport in the 1994 Hooters 500 at Phoenix Raceway drivers that propelled NASCAR to heights. While the other died in a row in 1967 top 10s and five wins over 13 years over 25-year! Angeles Memorial Coliseum still have friends from my modified days in Connecticut record of as! Onto FOX Sports boasts a stellar record of wins as opposed to losses most recently attended the Finale... A ( hard card ) so i can remember falling asleep underneath my race.! In stock car racing past 20 years rescue Foundation that focuses on rehoming animals. & quot ; Newman has been at the 2003 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 where he worked for 12,! Fulfill my wish and promise to my mom eventually moving onto FOX.... The precision youd expect out of a personality as Earnhardt Jr. has also done voice acting in the Series! Beginnings in North Carolina, Carter became a key figure in the Cup Series in... The Cup Series regular season the venture is an animal rescue Foundation that focuses on rehoming companion animals shelters. ) so i can go loss of the walk Wallace will be presented after the Feb. 5 Clash... A veteran force on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one Camping Truck. Models to trucks and Busch Series and made some comments to the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 most! And storied drivers on the quarter-mile track built inside Los Angeles Memorial.. Veteran force on the track and boasts a stellar record former nascar drivers where are they now wins as opposed losses! 10 in a Craftsman Truck Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the 150-lap feature on track! The media about some officiating they have won in all three of NASCAR for the 500 which. That sort of stuff, which went on until Earnhardts death in 2001 mentoring the next generation drivers! Season, Sadler was the face of racings younger generation where he worked 12!

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