Brian Scott to retire from NASCAR racing at end of season
Richard Petty Motorsports driver Brian Scott announced his retirement from full-time Sprint Cup racing on the same morning that Albertson’s announced it would not return to sponsor his No. 44 Ford next season.
Scott, 28, said in a farewell letter photographed and tweeted that he planned to spend more time with his family. Scott addressed his letter to family, friends, co-workers and fans and began by expressing his gratitude for "the support, friendship and good memories made." Scott, who has two young children, then went on to detail the reason for his seemingly abrupt decision:
"My decision to end one chapter in my life and change my focus going forward was not a decision I made or approached lightly. Racing has always been a passion of mine, and that will never change. Over the past couple of years I have begun a family of my own, and it has grown. ... The Sprint Cup Series schedule has taken its toll on me and caused me to re-evaluate what I want in life for myself and for my family."
In his first full-time Sprint Cup season, Scott has one top-10, a runner-up finish at Talladega Superspeedway in October that is a career best in NASCAR’s top series, where he has 51 starts. He also won the pole at the Talladega spring race in 2014.
"Brian made it to and competed at a level that very few do in NASCAR," Brian Moffitt, chief executive officer of Richard Petty Motorsports, said. "Brian became part of the Petty family this year, and he committed himself to making our organization better. We feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to get to know Brian and wish him nothing but the best for him and his family."
Scott was winless in six full-time Xfinity seasons but recorded 20 top-five and 77 top-10 finishes in 208 career races. Scott also won two races in the Camping World Truck Series and earned 11 top-five and 23 top-10 finishes.
In his own statement released by Richard Petty Motorsports, Scott said:
"This was a difficult decision, but one that I made myself for my family. Racing and specifically NASCAR has been and will always be in my heart, but right now, I want to turn all my attention to my family and to be able to spend more time with them. Racing has blessed me with great opportunities, and I'm very grateful for everything that it has allowed me to do, but for me, it's time to move on. I can't thank everyone enough who helped me in my career. I would not have made it to where I am at today without their trust and commitment."
Scott will race this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway in the Sprint Cup Series penultimate race before ending his career at Homestead-Miami Speedway the following week.
Albertsons Companies, Scott's longtime sponsor, said it would terminate its NASCAR program after the season. However, Richard Petty Motorsports plans to field the No. 44 that Scott drove with a new sponsor and another driver.