NASCAR: After historic streak ends, more sad news follows

Morgan Shepherd did not compete in a NASCAR race in 2020, ending a streak of 39 straight seasons of doing so, and he has unfortunately now been diagnosed with the early stages of Parkinson’s Disease.

The year 2020 has been a trying year for many, and it took its toll within the NASCAR garage as well, particularly on some of the smaller teams.

One such team was Morgan Shepherd’s team, Shepherd Racing Ventures. The underfunded Shepherd Racing Ventures organization had ended the 2019 season on such a promising high note after what was unquestionably the feel-good story of the season, and they were ready for more in 2020.

However, Shepherd, a born again Christian who serves as a lay minister to the racing community, did not compete in any races throughout the 2020 season.

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In fact, following a sad turn of events, the team did not compete in any capacity after the 10-week hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Landon Cassill, who drove the #89 Chevrolet on a part-time basis last year and delivered the typical start and park team their first finish of any kind since 2013 and their best finish since 2009 with his 15th place finish in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, had driven for the team in the first four races of the year and dropped out in the usual start and park fashion.

Not competing in a NASCAR race is rare for the 79-year-old Shepherd, so rare that it hadn’t happened in four decades.

The last time he did not compete in a single race across the Cup Series, Xfinity Series or the Truck Series was 1980, meaning 2020 ended a 39-year run. He has competed in the sport for more than a half-century, having made his debut in 1970 as a young 28-year-old at Hickory Speedway.

But worse yet, the year 2020 has been plagued with health issues for the veteran.

Unfortunately for Shepherd, who has 1,027 starts (517 Cup Series starts, 453 Xfinity Series starts and 57 Truck Series starts) to his name over the course of 43 seasons, he was given some sad news following the conclusion of the season as well.

It was announced on Monday that the Ferguson, North Carolina native, the oldest driver to ever start a Cup Series race and the second oldest to ever win, has been diagnosed with the early stages of Parkinson’s Disease and that he will be continuing his career solely as a car owner.

Here is part of a statement from Morgan Shepherd Racing’s website.

"“After a long year of health issues, Morgan has been diagnosed with the early stages of Parkinson’s Disease. However, in true Shepherd fashion, he is determined to look into 2021 and make plans for another year of NASCAR racing, as a Car Owner.“We all have had challenges to overcome and Morgan has always wanted to be an encourager, defying his age in physical and mental ability. Morgan’s charity work with the physically challenged has inspired him in the toughest times and currently continues in his diagnosis.”"

Next. Top 10 NASCAR drivers of all-time. dark

Shepherd’s 1,027 starts across the three NASCAR national series rank seventh on the all-time list.

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