Concord, N.C. ? Ricky Rudd, one race away from breaking the NASCAR record for consecutive starts, might not have too many more events in his future.

Rudd, in his 21st season of Winston Cup racing, said Monday he has not ruled out retiring at the end of this season partly because of the changing face of NASCAR and the way the sport is being marketed.

“I have a lot of options, one of them is retirement, and it’s something I’ll give a lot of thought, too,” Rudd said while testing his Robert Yates Ford at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. “I’m 45 years old and I certainly don’t see myself doing this when I’m 50, so it’s something I’ll be thinking about.”

Rudd is set to make his 656th consecutive start at the Coca-Cola 600 on May 26, which would break Terry Labonte’s Iron Man record. He tied the mark Saturday when he started at Richmond International Raceway.

Rudd said retirement was an option because of his disenchantment with where NASCAR is headed.

He dislikes the toll the schedule takes on family life and knows that as his 7-year-old son gets older, it will be harder to take him on the road for 36 races.

Rudd is particularly annoyed with the way the sport is now being marketed, pointing out an emphasis TV coverage has given to the young drivers.