FLETCHER, N.C. – Justin Fontaine confirmed in an emotional statement on Monday that he will be stepping away from racing at the end of the current season.
Fontaine, who will turn 21 next month, has driven this season full-time for Niece Motorsports as a rookie in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. He also has prior experience in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards and the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, and was a graduate of quarter midgets, mini cups and late models before jumping into the NASCAR ranks.
“Barring a major influx of sponsorship funds, I will be indefinitely stepping away from motorsports competition following the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November,” wrote Fontaine. “This decision comes after careful consideration.
“Following the event at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May, (in) which I retired early due to (a) self-inflicted on-track accident, I went back to the hauler and literally broke down,” Fontaine continued. “My rookie season at Niece Motorsports started out strong, with two top-10 finishes in the first three races – however, our finishes plateaued in the weeks that followed.
“We had a string of poor results that I had only myself and inexperience to blame. Frankly, it was a bitter pill to swallow, but it became reality. My dad came up to the lounge after the Charlotte race to calm down and we had an honest conversation about my career and desires. My goals for nearly 10 years have been clear to me, but the reality of making those dreams come true are much more complicated, and in many ways are out of my control.
“The stress for me, and more importantly my family, is more than I can shoulder any longer.”
Fontaine was sidelined for several months last season, after a harrowing crash in the ARCA Racing Series season opener at Daytona Int’l Speedway left him with a fractured vertebra in his back and a long road to recovery.
He noted in his statement that the emotional impact of that incident and its aftermath opened his eyes.
“We often do not think about the impact our careers have on our families, but I was forced to see it first-hand when my mom, dad and brothers walked into my hospital room in tears after the ARCA crash that nearly took away my ability to walk in February 2017,” said Fontaine. “If I can help it, I do not want to see that again.
“That experience affected me very deeply and knowing that the lifestyle and career I love so much could bring that much emotional distress was overwhelming.”
With five Truck Series events remaining to be run this season, Fontaine’s career record sits at two top-10s (both this season) in 21 starts, with a best finish of ninth at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway in March.
Since then, however, Fontaine has tailed off. In his last seven races, six of his finishes have been outside the top 15. He righted the ship somewhat with a 14th-place finish at Las Vegas on Friday night.
The Fletcher, N.C., native is not disappointed with his decision, however. Instead he’s at peace with it.
“While I would like to believe this is not the end of my days behind the wheel of a race car, I am content if this is where the journey ends,” noted Fontaine. “I have gotten to turn laps at Daytona, shake hands with champions of the sport and live out my dream racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Those are moments never to be forgotten. I will have the blessing of carrying those memories with me for the rest of my life, no matter what the future holds.
“My perception of the sport has changed drastically in the years I have been involved on a professional level, but my love for racing has remained the same. … I have no regrets from this time of my life, not a single one, and I look forward to seeing what the next chapter has to offer.”
