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Rudd Set to Call It Quits?

By MIKE HARRIS,

Posted: 2007-08-20 14:27:47

Filed Under: NASCAR

BROOKLYN, Michigan (Aug. 19) - Ricky Rudd is almost 51 and the grueling Nextel Cup schedule has finally taken its toll on the one-time NASCAR ironman.

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"To run this schedule week in and week out, week in and week out, it's more demanding than it used to be," Rudd said at Michigan International Speedway, where NASCAR was trying to run the rain-delayed 3M Performance 400 on Monday.

"I think it's really a young guy's sport, a single guy or a guy that's married or no kids, which means a guy in his 20s or early 30s," Rudd said. "Because there's so many demands on your schedule that I guess I'm not willing to want to make the sacrifices for that full-time schedule anymore."

Rudd, whose birthday is Sept. 12, said he plans to retire at the end of this season.

He drove in a record 788 consecutive races from 1981 through 2005 before sitting out the 2006 Nextel Cup season. But Rudd said he purposely never used the word retirement at that time.

"At the end of 2005, I wasn't sure if I wanted to retire or not, so I never made a statement," he said. "I took a year off and I ended up coming back. It's clear to me what I want to do now.

"It's a great sport and it's been good to me, and we've still got 14 races left (this year). But the grind of the schedule just kind of wears you down."

Rudd came back this season to drive for what is now Yates/Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing after Robert Yates asked him to help him out of a tough situation. Yates had lost driver Dale Jarrett to the new Toyota team of Michael Waltrip and needed a name driver to replace the 1999 Cup champion.

Rudd had struggled this season, and lay 29th in the points standings.

Asked if he might feel different about continuing in 2008 if he was in the top 10 in points, Rudd said, "I might. I've always been motivated by performance, and everybody in this garage is pretty much the same way.

"We really haven't had those this year. We've had one top-10 - a seventh at Charlotte."

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2007-08-20 14:27:47

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32 comments

scembruch 07:37:49 PM Aug 22 2007

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I've been a fan of Ricky since I was five years old. It's too bad he never won a championship. It is also too bad that NASCAR has not givin him the recognition he deserves.

wladygrdnr1 01:40:34 PM Aug 22 2007

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TO BAD RICKY DIDN'T HAVE THE MONIES TO BACK HIM UP....I THINK HE WOULD HAVE DONE A LOT BETTER.....THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES.....AND HAVE A GOOD LIFE....

Kimkingwhite1 11:46:00 AM Aug 21 2007

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I've been a fan of Ricky since he started in the 70's. I never lost my love for him as a driver and a class act. I have saved all of his momentos throughout the yrs. He is a gentleman's gentleman driver. He will surely be missed by me as well as his many other fans. I do hope that even though he is not racing, he would consider announcing as he still has his good looks and his opinions would be very beneficial. Good luck to Ricky in whatever he chooses to do. God bless.

tonythetiger8976 10:09:00 AM Aug 21 2007

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too bad rudd is leaving the sport after this season i really respected him as a driver

tonythetiger8976 10:09:00 AM Aug 21 2007

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too bad rudd is leaving the sport after this season i really respected him as a driver

cogrebelhlan 10:57:20 PM Aug 20 2007

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RICKY RUDD!! One of the premier drivers of NASCAR that have been overlooked for ages!
The sport will miss a great driver and man when he's gone. Several of the TOP name drivers need to look at his example and try to live up to his standard. May he enjoy the memories he has and be PROUD of his career. GOOD LUCK AND BEST WISHES in his retirement. RICKY, you can be assured thast you will be missed by many. take care and GOD bles.

cogrebelhlan 10:57:17 PM Aug 20 2007

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alamaden 10:42:41 PM Aug 20 2007

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Ashwellsr.... HEY DO YOU READ WHAT YOU WRITE????? LOL GO FIGURE ... very very funny lol

afordr32 10:08:10 PM Aug 20 2007

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A truly GREAT driver, AND....one of the best looking men in the world. It's sad and curious that the main stream media never picked up on Ricky Rudd's good looks. He's gorgeous, and not stuck on himself like Gordon and the Waltrips. He's beautful, and always had time for the fans....including me drooling over him.

rbtstee 10:06:56 PM Aug 20 2007

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ive been watching racing long before the general public thought it was cool. I've seen many many come and go some good some not so good. As a fan there is no doubt to me that Ricky was one of the guys that help put nascar where it is today..Ricky ouned his oun team during a very difficult time racing against big team ouners..My guess would be when Ricky walks through the infield other drivers look at him with great respect and rightly so...Good Luck Rick and thanks for the ride......Your fan always Bobby Steele

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32 comments