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Pruett to Retire Following Rolex 24

Scott Pruett has announced his retirement following the Rolex 24 at Daytona…

Photo: Mike Levitt/IMSA

Scott Pruett has announced this month’s Rolex 24 at Daytona will be the last race of his storied professional career after 50 years and a combined 88 wins behind the wheel.

His resume includes everything from sports cars to single seaters to stock cars, including a record 60 wins and seven championships between Grand-Am and IMSA along with a record-tying five overall wins at the Rolex 24.

Pruett raced professionally in Indy Car (formerly CART) for ten seasons from 1988 to 1999 where he earned two wins, five poles, 15 podium positions and was the 1989 Indianapolis 500 co-rookie of the year.

In three seasons competing Trans Am series he amassed 24 wins en route to three championships (1987, 1994 and 2003).

While racing part-time in NASCAR from 2000 to 2008, he earned three poles as well as a second and third place finish in the Cup Series. Pruett also raced in IROC competition for eight seasons, earning two victories.

Speaking to the assembled media at Daytona International Speedway, Pruett said he felt blessed to end his career on his own terms and at a race that he cherishes.

“As an athlete, if you’re fortunate enough to have a long and successful career and lucky enough to come to an end on your own terms, then you are truly blessed, and that’s what I’ve done,” he said.

“It’s a magical place and I love it. What better way to say goodbye to a sport I love than to do it at this revered place, surrounded by my respected peers and diehard fans.

“I’m so excited about the next chapter in my life and about getting on with the Rolex 24 here in a few weeks.”

The Californian will make his swan song alongside Dominik Farnbacher, Jack Hawksworth, and David Heinemeier Hansson in the No. 15 Lexus RC F GT3 for 3GT Racing in the GT Daytona class.

Pruett said his passion for motorsports remains unchanged from the first time he came to Daytona in 1985.

“My very first race here in ’85, a lot of things have changed since then,” he said. “I was sleeping in the back of a van, and I was driving an RX-7.

“The muffler fell off about halfway through and I feel like I lost the majority of my hearing because of that race.

“The think I can say is the excitement I had coming in to that day is no different than the excitement I got coming in here this weekend.

“I have so many incredible memories here that it just seemed the appropriate time and place.”

Despite his retirement from racing, Pruett will remain as a Lexus brand ambassador

Ryan Myrehn is an Indianapolis-based broadcaster and reporter. In addition to his work covering primarily domestic sports car racing for Sportscar365, he is the lead announcer for SRO America's TV coverage as well as a pit reporter for IndyCar Radio. Myrehn, a graduate of DePauw University, is also the host of Sportscar365's “Double Stint” Podcast.

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