Why did NASCAR legend Mark Martin's son Matt Martin step away from racing? All you need to know about his career halt

Retired American stock car racing driver Mark Martin established himself as a legend of the game, winning multiple accolades, including 40 Cup Series wins, being runner-up in the NASCAR Cup Series standings five times, and being a Hall of Fame inductee in 2017. Following an impressive career, the 65-year-old bid adieu to racing in 2013 and etched his name as an icon of the sport in stock car racing's history books.

Just like him, his son Matt Martin was also a racecar driver who followed in his father's footsteps and began racing quarter midgets at the tender age of seven and quickly gained recognition. But after racing for a brief period, the 33-year-old stepped away from the sport. Here is everything you need to know about why Matt quit racing.

A racer who was meant to be a star

Matt Martin's impressive racing journey extended beyond quarter midgets to include Bandoleros, Legend cars, the FASTRUCK Series, and the FASCAR Pro Truck Series, earning him the nickname "Little Intimidator" for his exceptional driving prowess. His remarkable talent caught the attention of Ford Motor Company, which signed him in 2003, making him the youngest driver in their motorsport history. However, his racing career came to an end in 2008.

In 2008, explaining the decision, his father revealed that Matt stepped away from the sport to prioritize his education, but he also did not deny him making a comeback to the sport. The same year added to his father's statement and expressed that he quit the sport as racing was not his thing anymore. 

In an interview with SPEED SPORT Mark Martin shared that he chose to step back from his own racing career as the sport was getting popular day by day and he wanted to focus on his son's NASCAR career.