Sadler didn’t limit himself to a certain track, either, just saying that he wouldn’t run the full season again.

“If they needed me to run a couple of races to fill a schedule or help a partner out – regardless of where those races might be – of course I would be willing to do that for them, but my time as a full-time driver is coming to an end,” stated Sadler. “I feel good about my decision. I can stand here today and say that I am happy with where I’m at in my life, both personally and professionally, and we’ll see what the next chapter holds.”

With just a handful of races left this season and one last shot at winning the championship that has so narrowly eluded him many times before, Sadler stressed that checking that final box on his resume sheet is something that is still very much at the forefront of his thoughts.

“I definitely want to win a championship. That’s what I’ve strived for my whole career, is to win a championship in NASCAR … and man, have we come close,” Sadler pointed out. “I felt like I’ve put my best foot forward and I feel like we’re trying to do that again this year. That’s part of why I wanted to make this known earlier, rather than later, is so that we could focus on the playoffs as a team.

“If we don’t win a championship, yes, it will bother me. There will be some sleepless nights over that if it happens,” confirmed Sadler. “But I feel like I have pursued my dreams long enough. I’ve almost felt selfish the last couple of years that it’s been about me pursuing my dreams and it’s been about me racing to win races and championships when I have two kids that are thoroughly involved in other things in their lives. I’ve been selfish long enough. We’re going to make one final push at a championship and then I want to help them pursue their dreams.

“Win, lose or draw, we’re going to put our best foot forward these final few months … but I feel that it’s more important for me to be there for my kids and for my family than it is for me to keep pursuing my own dreams. I’ve given myself enough time for that. Now it’s time for me to put my dad hat on.”

Sadler told SPEED SPORT that the toughest part of his decision to step away wasn’t necessarily telling co-owners Kelley Earnhardt Miller and Dale Earnhardt Jr. of his choice, but the feeling that he might be disappointing them by walking away.

“I wanted to make sure that I wasn’t letting them down,” he said. “I think Dale going through his retirement deal … he could relate. They were really easy to talk to. The toughest part, that first conversation we had … I didn’t want them to think I was jumping ship on such a great company. That was the hardest part, for me personally.”

After more than two decades in the sport that he loves, what did Sadler say he will remember most?

“I think it’s the friendships, man,” Sadler responded. “I’m from a small town in Virginia, my dad took me to races when I was a kid and I got to cherish those moments as a fan. I think earlier in my career, I took for granted being on this side of the fence and didn’t really take it all in, but now I look back on it and I realize how special everything I’ve done really is.

“It’s not about the statistics; it’s not about me getting into victory lane. It’s about getting certain people into victory lane,” he noted. “Those are the memories that I will remember and cherish the most.”