Emotions flowed around the #44 UPS Racing Team during the Sprint All-Star Challenge at Lowe’s Motor Speedway as Dale Jarrett embarked in the final race of his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career. Jarrett finished the night with a 21st-place finish but more importantly finished his career among friends, family and fans at the track he considers “home.”

The fanfare of the Sprint All-Star Race was filled with tributes to Jarrett during pre-race ceremonies. Pre-race activities were capped off with a special trip around the track for Jarrett as he finally stepped behind the wheel of the big, brown truck. Jarrett made a lap around the 1.5-mile track, saluting the fans by finally driving the beloved UPS package car. An emotional Jarrett stepped from the truck and waved to the fans as he made his way to the UPS Toyota to prepare for the 100-lap main event.

Rolling off 18th, Jarrett experienced loose-handling conditions on the UPS Toyota early. At the conclusion of the first 25-lap segment, the team went to work on the car, making a track bar adjustment in an effort to tighten the handling on the car. The adjustments helped the handling on the UPS Toyota on entries into the turns but remained loose at the exit of the turns.

The team made a more aggressive adjustment during the 10-minute break after lap 50, adjusting the right rear shock. Handling issues continued to plague the UPS Toyota and Jarrett eventually finished the race in 21st place. When all was said and done, Jarrett finished the night without regret.

“It’s over, we’ve done it,” Jarrett said after the race. “It’s been great and I wouldn’t do anything different. It feels great. We knew we were going to struggle in the race tonight. The team is still working, trying to get better. We just kind of chased it around but it’s kind of what I expected. You always like to do more, but that’s okay, they worked hard for it.”

“With about about five to go I started taking things in and realizing it wouldn’t be happening anymore,” Jarrett said of his last race. “Once again, it was great. I’m very satisfied with the decision and the way things have gone in my career.”