Jeff Gordon, a four-time US stock car champion whose 92 career wins rank third on the all-time list, will not contest the 2016 season, team owners Hendrick Motorsports announced Thursday.
The 43-year-old US racer will make the coming campaign his final full season on the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) circuit, although the three-time Daytona 500 winner left open the possibility of one-off returns in the future.
"I thought long and hard about my future this past year and during the offseason, and I've decided 2015 will be the last time I compete for a championship," Gordon said.
"I won't use the 'R-word' (retire) because I plan to stay extremely busy in the years ahead, and there's always the possibility I'll compete in selected events, although I currently have no plans to do that."
Gordon, an Indiana native, is a record five-time winner of the Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where IndyCar and Formula One drivers have raced.
He won NASCAR series titles in 1995, 1997, 1998 and 2001 and ranks third with 77 career pole positions.
Gordon, whose win total trails only Richard Petty's legendary mark of 200 and David Pearson's 105, expects to stay in racing after climbing out of the driver's seat, likely for long-time team owner Rick Hendrick, with whom Gordon is a co-owner.
"I don't foresee a day when I'll ever step away from racing," Gordon said. "I'm a fan of all forms of motor sports, but particularly NASCAR. I'm a partner with Rick and will remain heavily involved with the company for many years to come.
"I'll explore opportunities for the next phase of my career but my primary focus now and throughout 2015 will be my performance in the No. 24 Chevrolet. I'm going to pour everything I have into this season and look forward to the challenge of competing for one last championship."
Share
