Breaking: Tony Stewart will step away after 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup season

As Motorsport.com reported, three-time Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart will step away from Sprint Cup competition after 2016. Stewart, who won titles in 2002, 2005 and 2011, has 48 career Cup victories and is currently 25th in the standings. He and his partner Gene Haas field four cars in the Cup ranks and won the 2014 championship with driver Kevin Harvick.

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A press conference at Stewart-Haas Racing’s North Carolina shop is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon to announce the plans, which will include naming Clint Bowyer to drive Stewart’s No. 14 Chevrolet beginning in 2017.

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Bowyer drives for Michael Waltrip Racing, which recently announced it won’t field full-time teams next year. Bowyer’s future plans, including the 2016 season, have not yet been announced.