KANNAPOLIS, N.C. >> Tony Stewart never considered retiring from racing following the death of Kevin Ward Jr.

The three-time NASCAR champion talked with reporters Monday at his first news conference since a grand jury decided last week not to charge him in Ward’s death. The 20-year-old driver was struck and killed by Stewart’s car during a sprint car race in upstate New York on Aug. 9.

Stewart admitted that he has not been fully engaged with Stewart-Haas Racing, the race team he co-owns. He missed three races following Ward’s death as he secluded himself at his Indiana home, but has been back since the Aug. 31 race at Atlanta.

He says he never thought about ending his racing career because “that would take the life out of me.”