Sadler won’t return to full-time racing in 2019

Elliott Sadler, who has competed full time at the NASCAR national series level since 1997, will not return to full-time racing in 2019.

The 43-year-old JR Motorsports driver announced his decision Wednesday on social media.

“It’s time for me, as a Dad, to help my kids pursue their dreams,” Sadler wrote. “Wyatt is 8 and Austyn is 6 and both of them are very active at school and in extracurricular activities.

“I want to be with them for all their special moments. … It’s time for me to be the full-time Dad that I want to be.”

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 is second in the NASCAR Xfinity Series standings; he has finished second in the Xfinity standings four times in the last seven years. He has 13 wins in the series in 383 career starts.

His top sponsor, OneMain Financial, already had said it would not return in the same capacity next season, meaning if Sadler wanted to continue racing, he would have had to land new sponsorship while in the twilight of his career.

Sadler spent 12 full-time seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series for Wood Brothers Racing, Robert Yates Racing, Evernham Motorsports and Richard Petty Motorsports. He has three wins in 438 career starts.