On Twitter today, Hendrick Motorports announced that Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be retiring from racing at the conclusion of the 2017 season.
Easily NASCAR’s most popular driver, Earnhardt emerged from the shadow of his father’s tragic death at Daytona in 2001 to win 26 races in 603 starts, including two Daytona 500 victories.
But Earnhardt missed the final 18 races of 2016 because of a concussion.
The 42-year-old’s announcement comes on the heels of fellow star driver Carl Edwards abruptly leaving the sport, as well as Jeff Gordon’s more drawn-out departure awhile back—although he filled in for Earnhardt during his absence last year.