NASCAR: Scott, 28, retires from full-time racing

Richard Petty Motorsports' Brian Scott, driver of the No. 44 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford, will retire from full-time NASCAR competition at the end of the 2016 Sprint Cup season.

The 28-year-old Scott cited the desire to focus on his young and growing family and the next phase of his career.

"This was a difficult decision, but one that I made myself for my family," Scott sad. "Racing and specifically NASCAR has been and will always be in my heart, but right now, I want to turn all my attention to my family and to be able to spend more time with them. Racing has blessed me with great opportunities, and I'm very grateful for everything that it has allowed me to do, but for me, it's time to move on. I can't thank everyone enough who helped me in my career. I would not have made it to where I am at today without their trust and commitment."

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Scott began competing in NASCAR's national series in 2007, debuting in the NASCAR Camping World Series. He competed full-time in that series in 2008 and 2009 and earned his first win at the Dover International Speedway in 2009.

From 2010-15, Scott finished in the top 10 in the standings in five of his six seasons in the Xfinity Series. In 2016, Scott was signed by Richard Petty Motorsports to compete in his first full-season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. His career-best finish – a runner-up at Talladega – came on Oct. 23.

"Brian made it to and competed at a level that very few do in NASCAR," said Brian Moffitt, Chief Executive Officer, Richard Petty Motorsports. "Brian became part of the Petty family this year, and he committed himself to making our organization better. We feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to get to know Brian and wish him nothing but the best for him and his family."

RPM will continue to field the No. 44 Ford Fusion in 2017.