HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS SAYS DALE EARNHARDT JR. WILL RETIRE AT THE END OF THIS SEASON. EARNHARDT IS A 14-TIME WINNER OF NASCAR'S MOST POPULAR DRIVER AWARD.
HE HAS 26 CAREER CUP VICTORIES, AND THAT INCLUDES A PAIR OF WINS IN THE DAYTONA 500. EARNHARDT IS A TWO-TIME CHAMPION IN NASCAR'S SECOND-TIER SERIES. BUT THE SON OF THE LATE SEVEN-TIME CHAMPION HAS NEVER WON A CUP TITLE.
EARNHARDT TURNS 43 IN OCTOBER, WAS MARRIED DURING THE OFFSEASON AND HAS STATED HE WANTS A FAMILY. HE'S ALSO BEEN PLAGUED BY CONCUSSIONS AND MISSED HALF OF LAST SEASON AFTER SUFFERING YET ANOTHER ONE. HE'S BECOME AN ADVOCATE FOR RESEARCH OF SPORTS-RELATED BRAIN INJURIES.