Ten NASCAR Drivers Who Had Their Careers Cut Short

Tony Stewart

Way Too soon.

Those are the two words that come to mind when a race fan thinks about the retirement of three-time NASCAR Cup champion, Tony Stewart. Sure, unlike many of the people on this list Stewart got to leave the sport on his own terms and with his life, but one could argue he wouldn’t have to leave the sport he loves at all if he didn’t suffer that horrific leg injury during a Sprint Car race at Southern Iowa Speedway.

While some could probably argue that Stewart has accomplished everything possible during the course of his career in the NASCAR Cup Series, there are still quite a few key items on his list that remain unchecked. One shining example of this is the fact that despite numerous attempts, Stewart has never come home victorious in The Daytona 500. Tragically, his multiple injuries and off-track incidents have essentially robbed him of the opportunity to accomplish that dream.

Not only do his nagging injuries rob him of an opportunity to check the last few items off of his career resume, it also robs the sport of one of the most versatile, controversial and compelling characters that it has ever known.  While the sport will be forced to eventually move on from Smoke and cling to a new personality on the race track, it still doesn’t negate the fact that NASCAR will never be the same without Tony Stewart.

It also doesn’t change the fact that Stewart could have accomplished a lot more in NASCAR over the last 3-4 seasons had injuries and other off-track issues not been a factor.

Next: Next Jeff Gordon?