NASCAR will crown a new Monster Energy Series champion today but the sport is also saying goodbye to a few of its stars.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Matt Kenseth will run their final laps in the premier series after starting their careers together in 2000. The two have been longtime friends and competed for Xfinity Series championships before moving into the Cup spotlight.
Then there’s Danica Patrick. The Stewart-Haas Racing driver is making her last start in the No. 10 and her second-to-last start in NASCAR. Patrick announced Friday she will run the Daytona 500 in February and call it quits. She intends to end her motorsports career a few months later with a return to the Indianapolis 500.
Here is some of the reaction from around the racing community ahead of the Ford EcoBoost 400 (3 p.m. ET, NBC):
Honored to have been a small part of @DaleJr career..He will be missed but I’m excited to see what the future holds for him. #relax #freeweekends ? pic.twitter.com/Tn2BExJ3pA
— Tony Gibson (@TonyOldman41) November 18, 2017
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Shared a lot of laughs with this guy over the years. He’s always been that guy that was larger than life to me but would always have time for a conversation. Congrats on a great career and thanks for all you’ve done. @DaleJr pic.twitter.com/oUuIUgR9LE
— Clint Bowyer (@ClintBowyer) November 19, 2017
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Thanks for all the memories @DaleJr pic.twitter.com/HdR09SrKw8
— Dale Jarrett (@DaleJarrett) November 19, 2017
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It’s been an honor to race with @DaleJr @mattkenseth and @DanicaPatrick! I look forward to this final battle with these three legendary figures of our great sport! #nascar
— Ty Dillon (@tydillon) November 19, 2017
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Fun getting to know @DaleJr and racing with him. No one loves this sport more and thankful he’s done so much for I️t. Enjoy ur last ride! pic.twitter.com/tKk79ccY0g
— Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (@StenhouseJr) November 19, 2017
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Coming into final weekend of 2017 looking back at the help @mattkenseth gave me while we were teammates at RFR he’s had an amazing career and glad i got to learn from him and drive the 17 #ThanksKenseth pic.twitter.com/MhVuHbyNmQ
— Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (@StenhouseJr) November 17, 2017
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I’ve always enjoyed racing with @mattkenseth. Whether on the racetrack or off it. If this is it, I’m going to miss him being at the track. Few have ever been better!!! #ThanksKenseth pic.twitter.com/haMyozkyVF
— Clint Bowyer (@ClintBowyer) November 17, 2017
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Going to miss seeing this guy behind the wheel. He’s a great champion and one hell of a fun guy to be around. Lots of great times @mattkenseth pic.twitter.com/xyPN5DCP2A
— Tony Stewart (@TonyStewart) November 18, 2017
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I enjoyed following @DanicaPatrick even before she was driving Indycars. Im glad I got to race with her and admire the driver she is. Thanks Danica for the impact you had on @JRMotorsports and being an inspiration to many.
— Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) November 17, 2017
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Really really proud of everything she has accomplished and look forward to the next chapters together. She’s not done accomplishing her goals, she has many of those left and 2 huge races left. pic.twitter.com/rGAuJToM76
— Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (@StenhouseJr) November 17, 2017
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Happy for my friend @DanicaPatrick! She’s done so much for Motorsports. I’m excited for her and her future adventures!! #Namaste
— Kyle Larson (@KyleLarsonRacin) November 17, 2017
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Congratulations on your next chapter. In time, you will be truly appreciated for all that you’ve contributed to this sport we all love.
Much to be proud of ? https://t.co/fn1lpPKcQh
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) November 17, 2017
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DP, you’ve come a long ways since sleeping in the guest bedroom at the Rahal residence. Congrats & excited to see you in May! @DanicaPatrick https://t.co/FZDx5gic7b
— Graham Rahal (@GrahamRahal) November 17, 2017
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Then there’s this little lady. I’m going to miss everything about this kickass woman. Fun, smart, talented, tough, and maybe kinda pretty…”THE total package” She IS the perfect role model for any young kid with dreams! @DanicaPatrick ? pic.twitter.com/KP2hKtlHNa
— Clint Bowyer (@ClintBowyer) November 19, 2017
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