Elliott Sadler announces he's done driving full-time after 2018
Longtime NASCAR driver Elliott Sadler is stepping away from racing full-time in 2018.
Sadler, 43, announced Wednesday morning that 2018 would be his final full-time season in NASCAR. He’s been racing full-time in either the Xfinity Series or the Cup Series since 1997.
After much consideration and many conversations with my family, I’ve decided this will be my last season racing full time in NASCAR. (Full Statement: https://t.co/iLQnNG215o) pic.twitter.com/cKEclUt55F
— Elliott Sadler (@Elliott_Sadler) August 15, 2018
Sadler was on the hunt for sponsorship heading into 2019 as longtime sponsor One Main said it was leaving NASCAR. The sponsor has been with Sadler ever since he made the full-time move back to the Xfinity Series in 2011. Sadler won three races in 2016 but hasn’t won a race since. He’s currently second in the standings, a spot where he’s finished in each of the last two seasons.
2004 turned out to be Sadler’s best year at NASCAR’s top level. He won two races for Robert Yates Racing and had eight top-five finishes. He was ninth in the standings and made the inaugural NASCAR Chase.
That was the only time he finished in the top 10 in the Cup points. He was 13th the next season and then finished outside the top 20 from 2006-2010 before dropping down a level.
Sadler’s departure from JR Motorsports leaves a ride open at Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Xfinity Series team. No driver replacement has been announced. The team also fields cars for Justin Allgaier, Michael Annett and Tyler Reddick.
– – – – – – –
Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports.
