Jeff Gordon Set to Retire from Full-Time Racing After 2015

Chris Graythen/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Jeff Gordon will retire as a full-time driver following the 2015 season, he announced on Thursday.

Gordon has raced in the Sprint Cup series for 22 years and made the announcement at the No. 24 team at Hendrick Motorsports’ headquarters.

“As a race car driver, much of what I’ve done throughout my life has been based on following my instincts and trying to make good decisions,” Gordon said in a release. “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.

“I won’t use the ‘R-word’ 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,” he added

“I don’t foresee a day when I’ll ever step away from racing. I’m a fan of all forms of motor sports, but particularly NASCAR. We have a tremendous product, and I’m passionate about the business and its future success,” Gordon continued. “As an equity owner in Hendrick Motorsports, I’m a partner with Rick [Hendrick] and will remain heavily involved with the company for many years to come.”

Gordon has four Sprint Cup titles and 92 wins during his career. He sits in third in all-time victories behind Hall of Famer Richard Petty (200) and David Pearson (105).

Hendrick, the team’s owner, reacted to the news in a statement: “There’s simply no way to quantify Jeff’s impact. He’s one of the biggest sports stars of a generation, and his contributions to the success and growth of NASCAR are unsurpassed.”

NASCAR’s Sprint Cup season kicks off on Sunday Feb. 22 at the Daytona 500.

Follow @ABCNewsRadio
Copyright © 2015, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.