His name is almost synonymous with short-course off-road racing, but after a storied career that includes 121 victories and nine short-course championships, Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series driver Carl Renezeder is hanging up his helmet at the end of the 2017 season.

Renezeder announced his plans to retire a few days before the series kicks off this weekend at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Arizona.

Renezeder was the man who claimed both the Pro 4 and Pro 2 titles in LOORRS’ inaugural season in 2009 – the only person to do so – but his career goes back to domination in the days of Championship Off Road Racing (CORR), the series that preceded Lucas. Beyond the championships, he is credited with eight cup wins, both Lucas Oil Challenge Cup and Cup race victories at Crandon, and even a Baja 1000 title. For much of his career, he has been backed by Lucas Oil.

“As I look toward the future and my retirement from racing, I am overwhelmed by the great memories I have made with my family, my team, my sponsors, and all of my fans,” Renezeder said. “I would like to express my gratitude to Charlotte and Forrest Lucas, Dawn and Bob Patison, and Tom Fredrickson from Lucas Oil for standing behind me these past 19 years. Lucas Oil has been more than a sponsorship to me – I have gained lifelong friendships.”

Throughout his career, Renezeder has created winning race effort on and off the track. While Renezeder’s race accomplishments speak for themselves, it’s his business expertise that has enabled him to transform his race team into an international marketing force.

“Carl has been a great ambassador for Lucas Oil and for the sport of off-road racing,” saidForrest Lucas, president and CEO of Lucas Oil Products. “He is a true professional in every sense of the word. Carl is not just a sponsored racer of Lucas Oil, he has become a close and valued friend.”

“Carl’s impact on the company was also noted by executive vice president Robert Patison: “Lucas Oil has been with Carl for 19 years. He has been our guy in the off-road world. The idea of saying goodbye to Carl at the end of this year seems a bit surreal right now. He is a class act and the impression he has made on the sport of short course will last forever.”

Renezeder begins his final season of short-course off-road this weekend at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, the opening round of the 2017 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series season.