HOMESTEAD, Fla. — It has been 32 years since Ricky Rudd was a fresh-faced 18-year-old from Chesapeake, Va., making his first NASCAR Cup debut at Rockingham, N.C.
Times were different back then, considering he drove a 1973 Ford to an 11th-place finish in 1975. Cale Yarborough was the winner that day, followed by David Pearson and Richard Petty.
All three were legendary names, while Rudd was a young kid who had made a name for himself in go-karts and dreamed of racing in the Indianapolis 500.
Rudd competed in three more races that season, including a top-10 finish at Bristol. He drove in four more races in 1976 before running a full season in 1977 when he won the rookie of the year title.
Since that time, Rudd has competed in 904 races, including 788 straight from 1981-2005, drove to victory lane 23 times and has earned the reputation as one of the most professional and cleanest drivers.
That career came to an end  Sunday. Rudd said he was not emotional after finishing 15th.
“Everyone is asking me that, but I guess I’m such a cold-hearted guy because it really didn’t affect me,” Rudd said. “Right now it’s probably starting to sink in a little bit that this is the last time I’ll be in Miami in a race car — at least in a Cup car for sure. Who knows what the future holds, but I’ve got no regrets.  I’ve enjoyed it for 32 years.”
There were many great moments for Rudd, including the biggest win of his career in the 1997 Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“A lot of people ask me, ‘What’s that special moment? Any special moments that highlight that career?’” Rudd said. “And I have to go back and the Brickyard 400 win was a pretty neat deal as an owner and a driver.
“I think the bigger picture is all the people I’ve met in the garage over the years and racing against the best drivers in the world. The young guys, the old guys. I’ve seen a lot of guys and a lot of race car drivers and guys that I’ve had a lot of respect for over the years, and I’ve had a chance to race these guys. It’s time to hang it up and call it quits and as far as emotional, not really. I’m glad this chapter is closed to be honest.”