Jarrett closes out career with disappointing finish

By SceneDaily Staff

Monday, March 17, 2008

BRISTOL, TN - MARCH 16: Dale Jarrett, driver of the #44 UPS Toyota, waves to the crowd during driver introductions prior to the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Food City 500 at the Bristol Motor Speedway on March 16, 2008 in Bristol, Tennessee.The Food City 500 at the Bristol Motor Speedway will be Dale Jarrett last points race. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Todd Warshaw
Getty Images

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BRISTOL, Tenn. – Dale Jarrett made his Cup series debut in 1984 with a 14th-place finish. He ended his career Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway with a less-than-desirable 37th in the Food City 500.

In between, Jarrett ran 666 more races, won 32 times and captured the 1999 Cup championship. His career is highlighted by three Daytona 500 victories and wins at Indianapolis, Charlotte and Darlington.

Jarrett has one more start scheduled for Michael Waltrip Racing, the all-star race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in May, before moving full time to the ESPN broadcast booth.

Jarrett was honored during the prerace drivers meeting by NASCAR President Mike Helton. And the track celebrated Jarrett’s final points race by having fans in the grandstands hold up signs that spelled out “Thanks Dale.”

The race itself was disappointing, but Jarrett shook it off.

“Well, it wasn’t the finish I would have liked,” Jarrett said. “I’m able to go out with the best sponsor in the business in UPS, and I would have liked to have had a better day for them, but I really can’t be too upset when you take into consideration the kind of career I have been fortunate to have.”