Carl Edwards reflects on NASCAR career and sudden retirement

“Everybody’s got a project, something that’s driving them forward. And for me, for 20 years of my life, it was racing.”

Until it wasn’t. That day came during the 2016-17 offseason for Carl Edwards.

Edwards announced in January 2017 that he was stepping away, to the shock of everyone. The difficulty not lost on him.

“I know it had an impact on a lot of people. And I’m forever grateful to Joe Gibbs to all of our partners, because they let me go do that,” Edwards said.

Since stepping away from NASCAR racing seven years ago, Carl Edwards has turned from one of the most vibrant and exuberant personalities in the sport to one of the most mysterious.

It all began in November 2016 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Edwards was cruising to his first NASCAR Cup Series championship until a caution flew for Dylan Lupton blowing a tire. On the ensuing restart, Edwards crashed spectacularly after blocking a three-wide move Joey Logano made on him.

“Was I very frustrated with how NASCAR ran that event? And I can answer that by saying, NASCAR is in the business of creating a sport that serves the fans. I know from some conversations, that were private, that NASCAR is doing the very best they can to do that. And I respect that. The outcome for me at certain points in my career and that race is a good example. I did not like it. But I 100% respect the sport. I respect the people that run it. It gave me a life and opportunities that I could never have imagined,” Edwards said.

Like, the opportunity to be a family man — something he believed needed his attention.

“I woke up one day, and I said, ‘Hey, like, there’s some serious other things in my life. The things that are laid in front of me the things that no one else will do. You know? It’s to be the best husband, the best father I can be to steward all the things that have been given to me. And so that’s what I’ve been doing the last seven years,” he said.

“I did not leave the sport because of the way 2016 ended period.”

Even now, Edwards said he wouldn’t get into a car to race competitively.

“I don’t get into a car now and go do it because I absolutely respect how tough it is,” he said. “It’s a serious thing. I mean, the head injuries and the potential for long-term stuff there. I don’t feel like that risk is the best thing for me now.”

The risk was none more present than in the second half of 2016 when Dale Earnhardt Jr. sat out for with concussion symptoms.

Priorities, the risk and feeling as though he accomplished everything he could in racing were why Edwards stepped away. Stepping has given him the power to do other things. Farming, showing up in the aftermath of severe storms.

Even jiujitsu to scratch his competitive itch.

“That’s been a lot of fun. Done a couple of competitions. They terrify me,” Edwards said. “I learned way more from the ones I’ve lost [than the ones I’ve won].”

Edwards has popped up every so often. In November 2018, he popped up seemingly out of nowhere at Texas Motor Speedway. Then at Darlington Raceway in May 2023, he was celebrated as one of the 75 Greatest NASCAR Drivers.

“Those were such giant honors, I thought, you know? I’ve got to go. Let people know how much I appreciate this. And, and so that was the impetus for coming back. But people reaching out to me with such kindness, such grace for the way, you know, I’ve done things that really was special to me. And I feel like I have to respect that,” Edwards said.

Now, as Carl Edwards is going into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, he is grateful. But somewhat remorseful when thinking about the perception of his retirement.

“I definitely felt misunderstood to begin with when I stepped away, but I think that’s basically inherent. And it was so abrupt when people are gonna go, ‘What the heck’s going on here?’ And then I didn’t do a good job of explaining myself. I think part of that was because I wasn’t sure how or what I was going to do. I didn’t know if I wanted to come back to sport in a year. And so I just tried to basically, you know, politely say, ‘This is what I need to do right now. Looking back, you know, I hope people can understand for me. It’s really simple. I, I needed time,” Edwards said.

Now in his eighth year of retirement, Edwards still dreams of racing “about every three nights,” saying “he won at Las Vegas the other night.”

Edwards can only dream about winning a NASCAR Cup Series championship, coming as close as any driver in history — leading the championship in the finale twice but never winning.

But he doesn’t regret anything. Even if a few more trophies could’ve been nice.

“I wouldn’t change a thing, I wouldn’t have one more point that tie with Tony Stewart [in 2011], I wouldn’t change anything in 2016. I mean, I feel just, like, completely blessed that things are great. And so, no, no regrets,” Edwards said.

Edwards said the book is shut on racing with the Hall of Fame honor.

So now what’s next for him? He hasn’t ruled out being in the TV booth. He also hasn’t ruled out running for public office, having been brought up as a possibilty before.

“When politics come up, it comes from the place inside of me that cares so much about how great this country is. If there someday, it’d probably be after my kids are grown up. If I can participate in that more, I want to. And so that conversation, that opportunity, and that possibility is always on the table,” he said.

What’s next for Carl Edwards in his NASCAR Hall of Fame induction. The Hall will enshrine Edwards and the 2025 class on February 7, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C.

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