NASCAR Puts on the Brakes Until 2017

The cars are in the garage, the drivers are unbuckled and when NASCAR returns, things won’t look the same.

FOX’s Chris Hoenig has “FOX in the Fast Lane”:

Drivers get back at it in February with the Unlimited and Can-Am duels, leading up to the Daytona 500 on February 26, live on FOX.

When they get back in their cars, they won’t be vying for the Sprint Cup. NASCAR and Sprint ending their partnership after 13 years. A new title sponsor has yet to be announced.

Tony Stewart won’t be behind the wheel, retiring after last week’s race at Miami. He says he doesn’t plan to come back the way Jeff Gordon did. Gordon telling FOX News Radio retirement was and remains his plan:

(Gordon) “I didn’t anticipate this. I can’t say never, but I certainly don’t plan on it.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr. does expect to be back:

(Earnhardt Jr.) “All signs point to us being in the car in Daytona. I don’t know if anybody had any doubt out there. But if you did, looks like everything’s going in the great direction for that to happen.”

Greg Biffle also plans to drive, it just won’t be for Rousch Fenway. The driver of the No. 16 Ford leaving the company after 19 years. His immediate future up in the air.

FOX in the Fast Lane, I’m Chris Hoenig, FOX News.

Follow Chris Hoenig on Twitter: @Chris_Hoenig