Rudd to make final Cup start

Rudd announced his retirement back in August, having returned full-time to the Nextel scene this year with Robert Yates Racing, following a season's sabbatical. He endured a difficult year, which saw him injure his left shoulder in a crash during his 900th career start at Fontana.

The 51-year-old was forced to miss five races while he recovered and returned at Lowe's Motor Speedway to take an 11th place-finish. He also led ten laps at Texas Motor Speedway two weeks ago and is set to see the chequer flag wave on his racing career next Sunday.

"I am so very happy with the career that I've had," Rudd says. "Thinking about the fact that I'm going to start the final race of my career this weekend is sad to think about simply because it will be the last time that I run laps around a racetrack.

"I've been fortunate enough to have achieved so many things in my life both on and off the track. As much as I will miss racing on Sundays, I look forward to the next adventure in my life."

Rudd began his racing career at age nine as a go-kart driver and made an early Cup debut in 1975 aged only 18.

He was named Rookie of the Year in 1977, and then he went on to win at least one race for 16 consecutive seasons since 1983, a record he shares with NASCAR veteran Rusty Wallace.

He competed for 30 straight seasons, completing 788 consecutive starts, which stands as an all-time record for a Cup driver. He has won 23 Cup races, taken 29 poles, finished runner up for the title in 1991, following that with the IROC title a year later.

"I just would like to be remembered as a guy who gave 120 percent, won a few races, and came close to a championship once or twice," Rudd adds. "I look back at my career and I still am amazed at the opportunities that I have been able to enjoy.

"I entered this sport with nothing and 31 seasons later, I'm able to walk away knowing that I'm happy with all that I was able to accomplish on the racetrack.

"I have worked with so many tremendous sponsors, teams, and drivers and I just would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for their support."

Rudd will make his 906th and final Cup start on Sunday at Homestead, which will also be the final start for the No. 88 car under the Yates banner. Dale Earnhardt Jr will race the number from next year, his first for Hendrick Motorsports.