CONCORD, N.C. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. will retire following the 2017 season, Hendrick Motorsports announced Tuesday.
According to the team, the 14-time Most Popular Driver shared the news with members of his team Tuesday morning.
BREAKING NEWS: @DaleJr retiring at end of 2017 season.
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 25, 2017
Details: https://t.co/cvSU7cuJkh pic.twitter.com/NMGV9jLpBj
Hendrick Motorsports has scheduled a press conference for Tuesday afternoon for Earnhardt and team owner Rick Hendrick to discuss the decision. In a press release, Hendrick Motorsports said NASCAR's most popular driver first met with Hendrick about his decision on March 29.
Fully support his decision although I've watched he and my dad all my life. It will be a little different for sure. https://t.co/mBYVbpfatz
— Kelley Earnhardt (@EarnhardtKelley) April 25, 2017
Hendrick Motorsports is expected to announce its 2018 plans at a later date.
Earnhardt has 603 starts in NASCAR top series with 26 career victories, including two Daytona 500s. He is a two-time Xfinity Series champion.