Tony Stewart officially announces plans to retire after 2016 season

Reuters

10 years ago

Aug 31, 2014; Hampton, GA, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Tony Stewart (14) prior to the race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. (Marvin Gentry/USA Today Sports)

Sep 20, 2015; Joliet, IL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Tony Stewart (14) during the MyAFibRisk.com at Chicagoland Speedway. (Mike DiNovo/USA Today Sports)

Sep 20, 2015; Joliet, IL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Tony Stewart during the MyAFibRisk.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. (Jasen Vinlove/USA Today Sports)

Sep 12, 2015; Richmond, VA, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Tony Stewart (14) looks on during driver introductions prior to the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway. (Amber Searls/USA Today Sports)

Sep 12, 2015; Richmond, VA, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Tony Stewart (14) races driver Alex Bowman (7) during the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway. (Amber Searls/USA Today Sports)

Sep 11, 2015; Richmond, VA, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Tony Stewart (14) looks on prior to qualifying for the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway. (Amber Searls/USA Today Sports)

Jul 24, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Tony Stewart during practice for the Crown Royal 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (Jasen Vinlove/USA Today Sports)

Three-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart ended months of speculation about his driving future when he said on Wednesday that he will retire from full-time competition after the 2016 season.

One of the most popular and highest-paid drivers in NASCAR, Stewart clinched the coveted series title in 2002, 2005 and 2011 and has racked up 48 wins during his stellar career.

“This was 100 percent my decision,” Stewart, 44, said during a news conference. “There’s not one factor that led to this other than just I felt like it was the right time.”

Nicknamed ‘Smoke’, Stewart won at least one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race for 15 consecutive seasons from his 1999 rookie year through 2013, and also became IndyCar champion in 1997.