While most of the NASCAR world’s attention Sunday evening was focused on which of the Cup Series’ Championship 4 drivers would leave Miami with the title, the full-time Cup careers of two drivers quietly came to an end.
David Ragan and Paul Menard drove into sunset, ending full-time careers that each began in 2007.
After being recognized by NASCAR President Steve Phelps in the drivers meeting, Ragan’s 470th Cup start ended with a 27th-place finish, while Menard’s 471st start ended with a 17th-place run.
While Menard finished one lap down, Ragan’s night ended with him four laps off the lead pace.
“Our last race was really uneventful,” Ragan said afterward. “We tried some strategy a few times and it kind of bit us. We probably lost a lap or two that we shouldn’t have, but we were being aggressive because we didn’t really have anything to lose. I can’t say enough about everybody at Front Row Motorsports and the NASCAR industry for making this last weekend special. It was a tough season. I wish we had some better results to show for it, but the last season won’t dictate my 13-year career. We’ve had a lot of fun, a lot of good memories and don’t regret anything that we’ve done. I’ll sleep good tonight and think a little bit over the offseason on what I want to do next year and I’m sure I’ll be around.”
To top off the occasion, soon after he exited his No. 38 Ford for the last time, Ragan swapped out his racing helmet for another form of head gear that properly conveyed his new job description, or lack thereof: a dark blue hat with the word “retired” emblazoned on it.
The hat says it all. pic.twitter.com/WGiBr5N23n
— Front Row Motorsports (@Team_FRM) November 18, 2019
Thanks to all the fans, friends, folks inside the garage who stopped and chatted this weekend. It was unexpected to hear all the great stories.
— David Ragan (@DavidRagan) November 18, 2019
I’m looking forward to a hunting trip with some buddies this week then Thanksgiving with the family.
As for Menard, no quotes were available from the typically quiet driver after the race.
But not long before the start of Sunday’s race, the Wood Brothers Racing Twitter account produced a lengthy tweet storm thanking Menard and his family for their contributions to NASCAR and auto racing in general over the years.
Other drivers retired and they had walls painted saying thanks for the memories and all that hoopla. If’n there was one guy; and for the sake of argument let’s throw in his family too, that deserved, oh I don’t know, maybe the wall plus half the infield painted saying -thanks-
— Wood Brothers Racing (@woodbrothers21) November 17, 2019
Series they sponsor. You got the truck series. @MenardsRacing has been a sponsor for like 800 years there. They’re the primary on an Xfinity car. A good one too. They’re on TWO cup cars. An indycar sponsor. They sponsor a WHOLE FREAKIN SERIES !! (Arca)
— Wood Brothers Racing (@woodbrothers21) November 17, 2019
Ok maybe sponsoring cars does sell more 2x4s, for the sake of argument let’s all just assume that Menards being on the 21 is mission critical to selling 2x4s lol cuz yeah we sure do appreciate that sponsorship. But my point is, some guys are the backbone of this sport
— Wood Brothers Racing (@woodbrothers21) November 17, 2019
Throw in the massive sponsorships from Menards, hell not only should the walls be painted up, but maybe even the palm tree farms surrounding the track here should be neon yellow right about now. But that’s not who Paul Menard is. He don’t want a goodbye tour.
— Wood Brothers Racing (@woodbrothers21) November 17, 2019
His dad is a great guy. His sister, his mom and mother-in-law, his brothers, his wife, kids, nieces and nephews. They’re all just such great people. They’re so approachable, so regular. They’re exactly the type of people you send a string of 20 tweets thanking.
— Wood Brothers Racing (@woodbrothers21) November 17, 2019
But we really will miss Paul. I can’t photoshop or make fancy videos. In fact I’m easily the worst in this garage at that (I’ll give you a laugh or two though) so all I can say is just reply and let @MenardsRacing know how much everyone appreciates what they’ve done. The end
— Wood Brothers Racing (@woodbrothers21) November 17, 2019
