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Nascar.com
Stewart to
retire from Sprint Cup Series after 2016
Deep down, you know when it’s time
By Holly Cain
Three-time premier series champion Tony Stewart smiled and conceded it
was a "formality at this point" in announcing Wednesday afternoon that
he would step away from full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition
following the 2016 season.
"It was a choice that is 100 percent mine, no pressure from anybody,"
Stewart said of his decision not to compete full-time anymore. "If
anything, it's been the opposite, more people trying to talk me out of
it.
"Everyone in their career makes a decision when it's time for a change.
I think deep down you know when it's time to do something different and
make a change like this."
Appearing jovial and without a hint of second-thought about his career
decision, Stewart joked he was bringing Harry Gant out of retirement to
drive the the Stewart-Haas Racing No. 14 Chevy in 2017, then confirmed
that actually Clint Bowyer would be taking over his seat.
The news confirmed months of speculation and rumor about Stewart's
future and solidified Bowyer's career path as well with Bowyer's
Michael Waltrip Racing team closing operations at the end of 2015.
"It's all about people, all about culture for me, and I don't think the
fit factor could be any better," said Bowyer, acknowledging the SHR
ride was "one of the biggest powerhouses in the sport" and said an
announcement is coming later this week about his 2016 plans.
Wednesday was clearly more about "the people's champion" as Stewart is
often referred.
One of the most popular and accomplished champions to ever compete in
NASCAR's marquee series, Stewart, 44, has won three premier series
titles as a driver (2002, 2005, 2011) and two as an owner (2011, 2014),
accumulated 48 victories and won over countless hearts as a kind of
extreme throw-back talent garnering comparisons to racing's all-time
greats such as A.J. Foyt and Dale Earnhardt...
Read the rest of the article at Nascar.com
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