Jeff Gordon makes 2015 his last full-time season

Nov 16, 2014; Homestead, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jeff Gordon during the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The Jeff Gordon era of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will come to an end at the end of the 2015 season, as the 2015 Sprint Cup Series season will be Gordon’s last as a full-time driver, according to a press release from Hendrick Motorsports on Thursday morning.

Although announcing that he wouldn’t race full-time after 2015, Gordon would not say that he is retiring at the end of the year, hinting that he may run a few races here and there in the future. He also said that he would always be active in NASCAR in some capacity.

Here’s what Gordon had to say:

“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. 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.

“I don’t forsee a day when I’ll ever step away from racing. I’m a fan of all forms of motorsports, but particularly NASCAR. We have a tremendous product, and I’m passionate about the business and its future success. 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. It means so much to have the chance to continue working with the owner who took a chance on me and the incredible team that’s stood behind me every step of the way.

“Racing has provided a tremendous amount of opportunity that’s been extraordinarily rewarding and fulfilling in my life. The work we’re doing with the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation will continue to be extremely important to me. Outside the race car, my passion is pediatric cancer research, and my efforts will remain focused there when I’m no longer driving.

“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.

“To everyone at NASCAR, my teammates, sponsors, competitors, friends, family, members of the media and especially our incredible fans, all I can say is thant you.”

Gordon is set to go out at the top of his game. He won four races in 2014 and was a participant in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship postseason until the ninth race of the 10-race Chase.

Gordon is a four-time champion at NASCAR’s top level, claiming titles in 1995, 1997, 1998 and 2001. He’s third on the all-time Cup wins list with 92-career wins. The only drivers with more wins are NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty and David Pearson.

Speaking of Petty, Gordon came onto the NASCAR Sprint (then-Winston) Cup Series scene upon Petty’s exit. Gordon’s first-career Cup start came at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Nov. 1992, the last race of the 1992 season. That race also was Petty’s last. Gordon has spent his entire NASCAR Cup level career behind the wheel of the HMS No. 24 Chevrolet.

The release from Hendrick Motorsports stated that 2016 plans would be announced at a later date, but reigning Nationwide/Xfinity Series champion Chase Elliott is expected to take over Gordon’s seat in 2016. Elliott, son of NASCAR legend Bill Elliott, competes in the Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports, co-owned by Hendrick Motorsports driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.

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