Rodger M. Wardwas an American racecar driver who won the 1959 and 1962 Indianapolis 500. He also was the 1959 and 1962 USAC Championship Car champion... (wikipedia)
Indy makes the race driver. You become famous when you come here.
I assure you that the training that you get in a midget, in a sprint car and perhaps in a Silver Crown car is really the kind of experience that makes you into a damn good race driver.
Retiring is getting ready to die.