Roush Fenway boss Smith eyes retirement

Roush Fenway Racing president Geoff Smith is putting plans in place to retire after the 2009 season.

"More than likely," Smith said before Sunday's race at Michigan International Speedway. "That's what we're building for. We've been systematically elevating the responsibilities of several key people, training and training."

Smith runs the business and marketing side of Roush Fenway. He has been instrumental in putting together one of the top sponsorship programs in the garage. He'll be 63 when his contract expires after next season.

"I've done this for a lot of years," Smith said. "I owe my wife time together before we're dead."

Smith jokingly said he might consider a retirement tour like former Roush Fenway driver Mark Martin and work part-time for a few years.

"And when I'm 70 I'll come back full-time," he said, taking a lighthearted dig at Martin, who will return to a full-time schedule in 2009 for Hendrick Motorsports. "Yeah, I can go to Hendrick." ESPN.com