Contracts come and go, careers begin and end, but the competitive spirit that comes with the athlete never dies. For as long as sports have been played, and competition has been waged, those competing have struggled with the concept of playing their last game.
Being primarily a NASCAR fan, along with the fact that NASCAR stars in the twilight of their careers seemingly wrote the book on returning after retirement, this article will reference primarily NASCAR athletes. However, the concepts discussed and items explored can almost always cross the boundaries of NASCAR and be applied to stick and ball sports as well.
The options for retirement I will discuss are: retiring at the top of your game, waiting until you are forced out due to lack of performance, death, or one last quest for that elusive championship.
Ned Jarrett
a.k.a. “Gentleman Ned Jarrett”, a.k.a. Dale Jarrett’s father
Ned came along during the early years of NASCAR, therefore there were substantially more races being run, and substantially more races being won by those folks named Petty.
Regardless, Ned started his first Sportsman race in 1952, against the wishes of his parents. Despite his parents concerns, Ned continued his involvement with racing as an owner/pit crew member. Within a few years Ned found himself back behind the wheel, achieving success almost immediately.
Ned wound up with 50 race wins and two championships at NASCAR’s top level. In an unprecedented move which will most likely never be matched, Ned Jarrett pulled the plug on his racing career while celebrating his second championship.
Impacted heavily by Ford’s decision to pull out of NASCAR, and his family, Ned became the only driver ever to retire as the Cup champion. This assured Ned’s presence in the record books, always leaving analysts to wonder, what might have been.
Darrell Waltrip
a.k.a. Boogity Boogity Boogity guy, a.k.a. that annoying television announcer, a.k.a. Michael Waltrip’s brother
Darrell came along a few years before the brash young Dale Earnhardt, Sr. He can perhaps be best remembered for his on-track antics against Earnhardt, despite their eventual friendship and Darrell’s time in the No. 1 car while subbing for the injured Steve Park.
Between 1975 and 1992 Darrell Waltrip amassed 84 wins and three championships, the last championship coming in 1985. His 84 wins lands him atop the modern era race winners list.
After 1992 Waltrip held on until 2000, when sponsorship woes and lack of results finally forced him to call it quits. Fortunately—or unfortunately—Darrell landed in the booth with Fox for the introduction of the new TV arrangements in 2001.
More to the point of this article, Darrell can be viewed as a pioneer of the group that can’t figure out when to quit. Darrell had signs pointing to the end of his career as early as 1995, when he slipped out of the top 10 in standings, finishing 19th. The years that followed brought points finishes of 29th, 37th, and finally a 36th occurring in 2000.
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