Not long after Dale Earnhardt Jr. decided he wanted to retire from Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series competition he drove to Hendrick Motorsports to do what he called the toughest part.

Earnhardt met with team owner Rick Hendrick in late March, where it was finalized that this season would be his last in the Cup series. But for as simple as Earnhardt’s reason was for making the decision, the 42-year-old was only thinking about how he didn’t want to disappoint his boss.

“You mean so much to me,” Earnhardt said Tuesday during his announcement at Hendrick Motorsports. “On March 29th, I drove over and had the conversation with him, and his response, he told me he loved me. Becoming a bigger part of your life has changed mine forever. You gave me guidance and direction that will reward me for as long as I live.” As for Earnhardt providing one of the most shocking – but not entirely unexpected – announcements, it was a classic case of the Earnhardts always doing things their way.

“I wanted the opportunity to go out on my own terms,” Earnhardt said. “I wanted to honor my commitment to Rick, to my sponsors, to my team, and to the fans. I’ll admit that having influence over my exit only became meaningful when it started to seem most unlikely. As you know I missed a few races last year and during that time I had to face the realization that my driving career may have already ended without me so much as getting a vote at the table.

“Of course, in life we’re not promised a vote, and that’s especially true in racing. But during my rehab, I was given something else I wasn’t accustomed to, and that was time. Time to understand what’s important to me, time to realize the incredible support system I have in my wife, my team and my doctors. And time to work like hell to wrestle back some semblance of say-so in this whole matter. And so that became my motivation. The opportunity to stand here at this point to announce my choice rather than some fate that was decided for me.”

At peace with and comfortable in his decision, Earnhardt admitted he’s more worried about the fallout. The future of the No. 88 team is still to be determined, Hendrick said, and Earnhardt hopes the transition for the team, whom he called brothers and a privilege to drive for, as well as the organization, will be a smooth one. There are a lot of things for them to be excited about in the future, Earnhardt said.

Although he will compete in two Xfinity Series races next year for JR Motorsports, Earnhardt believes that will be the extent of his time behind the wheel. The decision is final. Upon making it and revealing his intention to Hendrick, Earnhardt has not second-guessed himself.

A two-time Xfinity Series champion and two-time winner of the Daytona 500, Earnhardt has amassed 26 career wins since making his first Cup start at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May 1999. Earnhardt joined Hendrick Motorsports in 2008 after eight season driving for his late father’s team, Dale Earnhardt Inc.

“Normally when there was – we just extended [his contract] – I get the call from [Dale’s sister] Kelley (Earnhardt Miller) saying, get the paperwork ready,” Hendrick said. “So, when he said he wanted to talk to me, I kind of had this inkling it might be pretty serious. I felt like a member of my family came and sat down with me and said this is what I’ve decided to do and immediately, I’m disappointed, I mean I’d love to have him drive for as long as I own a race team, but as the conversation went on I felt like we’re going to do things together and this this was going to come at some point.

“It was a tough conversation. Very emotional conversation, not tough, but just because of our relationship and how we care about each other.”

When the series rolls into Richmond International Raceway this weekend, Earnhardt said his press conference will be a distant memory. But it was still one where Earnhardt come off as composed and confident, carried many emotions.

“There are a lot. Very, very bittersweet,” Earnhardt said. “At a very young age all I wanted to do was make a living driving cars. I didn’t set goals like – I didn’t dream of winning championships or Daytona 500s or working with one of the best owners in the business, driving for one of the best organizations. I just wanted to do it right. I just wanted to do it.

“I guess what I’m saying is, I accomplished way more than I ever dreamed. Way more than I ever thought I would accomplish.”