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‘Smoke’ Signals Exit

Tony Stewart during practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. [John Wiedemann Photo]

Tony Stewart during practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. [John Wiedemann Photo]

Tony Stewart confirms his retirement from Sprint Cup Series racing

Confirming long-running speculation and near-term rumors, Tony Stewart announced today that the 2016 season will mark the end of his driving days in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. “Next year will be my last year in the Sprint Cup Series,” Stewart said in his opening remarks during today’s press conference.

“It was a choice that was 100 per cent mine. There wasn’t any pressure from anyone. If anything, I had more people trying to talk me out of it. Everybody in their career at some point makes the decision that it is time for change. It is nothing you plan, it just happens. Deep down you know when it is time to do something different. It is a bittersweet day. While I am excited about it, at same time, I am sad about it. I love what I do with NASCAR; I love what I do as a driver and the great thing is I am not going anywhere.”

Comparing himself to other athletes, Stewart said many of them don’t know what they are going to do when their playing days end, the three-time Sprint Cup champion said he has a detailed plan of activities, ones that will keep him busy for years to come.

For his swansong season in Cup, Stewart has no intentions of accepting Jeff Gordon-type retirement recognition and during today’s press conference, the outspoken driver said he doesn’t even want to discuss his decision after today.

Looking ahead to the 2016 season, Stewart said he is focused on winning more Cup races, to include the Daytona 500 and the Southern 500, plus another Sprint Cup championship. “This added year is not one to just ride it out as we are going to do everything we can to win races,” he commented. “To be perfectly honest, there was the possibility that this (retirement) would have happened at the end of this year, but we decided we were going to run in 2016, and it is 100 per cent because of the fans that have supported us over the years. It is important to me to support the fans that have been with us through thick and thin.”

Joined by Gene Haas, co-owner with Stewart of Stewart-Haas Racing, the duo announced that Clint Bowyer will take over the driving duties of the No. 14 car in 2017. “This is a great opportunity for me,” said Bowyer. “When the year started, I thought I was safe and were good, then all of a sudden you are not (safe). And then all of a sudden a door opened to one of the biggest powerhouses in the sport. To me this sport is all about opportunities, and I want to make the most of it.

“Tony’s brand is something I have lived with my whole life and attaching my name to it and building on it is something that has brought me on board. When I heard that seat was open, they didn’t have to call me.”

Admittedly, Bowyer’s season has had its ups and downs. “I don’t think I got fired; it just went away and somehow I landed in a better situation,” he said. “Did you ever here the term, ‘When you fall in a pile of cow manure and come out smelling like roses?’ That’s exactly what this is for me.” (His quote may be one of the most memorable during the press conference.)

As for his racing plans beyond 2016, Stewart firmly stated, “I am not retiring from racing. A perfect example would be to run the Modified race at New Hampshire like the one last weekend.” Other races he would like to do would be the Big Block Modifieds at the New York State Fairgrounds and the truck race at his Eldora Speedway. One race not on his list is the Indianapolis 500.

Asked if his bone-breaking sprint-car accident in 2013 and the fatal accident at the Canandaigua Speedway in 2014 helped trigger his retirement decision, Stewart said, “It had zero per cent. This is strictly what I want to do. My leg is fine. Regarding the tragedy, nothing is going to change that. It happened but it is not going to direct the rest of my life. I am going to go race when I want to race.”

Stewart indicated he may well get back in a sprint-car at some point in time.

Looking back on his most notable accomplishments, Stewart said winning the 2011 Sprint Cup championship stands out due to it being a total team effort and gave Gene Haas his first championship.

“I still enjoy what I am doing; that fire is still there,” noted Stewart. “For me this transition is much easier as I don’t have to figure out what I am going to do. It is already there; it is in place, just a change in direction on the Cup side.”

In closing, Stewart reminded the assembled reporters that he doesn’t want any rocking chairs or similar gifts in 2016 and would prefer not to talk any more about retirement. “I can’t think of a better way to go out on top than by winning races. It will not be a year to coast, just the opposite. We’re full steam ahead,” Stewart said emphatically.

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