Tony Stewart to retire after 2016 season, per reports

Tony Stewart, a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and considered one of the all-time great drivers across all disciplines, will retire at the conclusion of the 2016 season, according to multiple reports.

Motorsports.com first reported the story.

Stewart, 44, won his first NASCAR premier division championship in 2002 driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, followed by titles in 2005 and 2011. The latter came driving for Stewart-Haas Racing, a multi-car team Stewart co-owns with Gene Haas. Stewart ranks 13th on the all-time wins list with 48 victories.

A SHR spokesperson has not responded to SB Nation for comment. Shortly after the initial report, SHR called a news conference scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

SHR will name Clint Bowyer to replace Stewart, according to Motorsport.com and ESPN reports. Bowyer is currently with Michael Waltrip Racing, which is shutting down at the end of the season. Bowyer has not announced his 2016 plans, but is expected to drive for HScott Motorsports next season.

SHR also fields cars for defending Sprint Cup champion Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch and Danica Patrick.

Stewart’s pending retirement follows a turbulent two seasons where his performance has declined, he’s dealt with injury -- he suffered a broken right leg in a 2013 sprint car crash at a Iowa dirt track -- and an off-track incident where he struck and killed a driver during a sprint car race in Upstate New York. Stewart’s last Sprint Cup Series victory occurred June 2013 at Dover International Speedway and he’s not qualified for NASCAR’s Chase for the Sprint Cup playoff since 2012. He’s currently ranked 25th in the standings with just two top-10s and a best finish of sixth.

Stewart’s vast resume extends beyond NASCAR. He won the 1997 IndyCar Series championship and two years before became the first driver to capture the USAC “Triple Crown” taking the national points titles in the Sprint, Silver Crown and Midget divisions.