David Ragan plans to scale back his racing schedule to part-time status after the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season, according to an announcement from Front Row Motorsports on Wednesday.
"I've prayed and heavily considered this decision, but for myself and my family, I believe this is the right thing to do,” Ragan said. "I am a husband and a father to two young girls first, and I am a driver second. To compete in what I consider the greatest series in the world, you need full dedication of your time and focus. My children are growing up quickly, and I want to concentrate my time in being the best father and husband I can be. I feel this is where God is leading my life, and therefore, I'm making this decision. There aren't enough words to thank everyone who has helped me in my career and to all the fans who have supported me in this journey. It's not over, but I'm ready to spend more time at home.”
Ragan will finish the current season as driver of the #38 Front Row Motorsports Ford. His latest stint with FRM began in 2018. He also drove for Front Row Motorsports in the Cup Series from 2012 through the 2015 Daytona 500. His most recent of two-career wins in the series came with FRM in 2013 at Talladega Superspeedway.
"We admire David for making what I'm sure was a very difficult decision,” Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins said. "We also commend him for his reason. David has always put family first, and as a father, I understand what it's like to not be at that game or big event for your child. Throughout his time at Front Row Motorsports, David has always gone beyond what was asked of him- or even volunteering his own time to help grow our team. Now it's time for him to give some of that back to his family and we totally support that. Our doors are always open for David and we'll miss seeing him every week.”
Ragan's first win came in 2011 at Daytona International Speedway with Roush Fenway Racing. He began his Cup Series career with two races in 2006 and went full-time in 2007. He began his career with Roush Fenway, racing with that team through the 2011 season before joining Front Row.
Ragan was a full-time, fill-in driver in 2015, first for the injured Kyle Busch at Joe Gibbs Racing and, then, for the ill Brian Vickers at Michigan Waltrip Racing. He also drove for the now-defunct BK Racing before returning to FRM. In all, he has 457-career Cup Series starts.
Ragan also has contested 107 NASCAR Xfinity Series races and 29 races in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series. He is a two-time Xfinity Series winner.
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