Carl Edwards is doing what we all wish we could. He is retiring at the age of 37 with financial stability to spend time with his wife and two kids. He can choose to do nothing at all, or he can travel to wherever he wants. He can also still pick up his kids and remember what they want for Christmas.
But yet in today’s sporting world we are shocked when these announcements take place, like the one Edwards made on January 10th that he was walking away from NASCAR after nearly winning this year’s Cup championship. He did not use the word “retirement,” but instead chose to say he was stepping away, leaving the door open for a return someday.
Edwards said he came to the decision before Christmas and went to owner Joe Gibbs to tell him personally. He said he was satisfied with his accomplishments, wanted to spend more time with his family, and quit while he was still healthy.
“I always think about things going forward. And in my mind, I’d considered next year (2017) being my final year, but I hadn’t put really a lot of thought into it. And after Homestead, I had some time to sit, think and reflect about all of this, and for those three reasons that I gave you, I thought, man, it just — I can’t come up with a good reason why now isn’t a good time. And so I presented that to Coach. I didn’t know what he would say, and like I said, he and the sponsors — I mean, everyone, accommodated me in a way I just didn’t expect, and that means a lot.”
Edwards is arguably the most athletic driver in NASCAR. Clearly his thoughts about health have less to do with his conditioning and more to do with concussions and other dangers that exist in racing. This is even more true after watching the struggles that Dale Earnhardt Jr. had this past season. And despite his comeback attempt at Daytona, who knows if Junior will ever be able to compete at the highest level again.
“I’m 100 percent healthy. But I am aware that there’s — this is a risky sport, put on a helmet and firesuit to go race. And I am aware of the current consensus that, like any — let me say it this way: Like anybody in a contact sport, I realize that there might be long-term consequences to that stuff, and that’s a piece of the puzzle. That’s a part of the factor. But there are multiple parts to it.”
I re-watched the Kansas Chase race from October in the days after Edwards’ announcement. He had the best car all day in that race, yet Kevin Harvick came up with the win. The same could be said about the final race at Homestead. Edwards was in position to win the championship. Then on a restart with 10 laps to go, Edwards tried to block Joey Logano and crashed. Edwards did not show immediate anger or frustration, in fact he went to Logano’s Penske pit box and wished crew chief Todd Gordon and the team luck and apologized for getting in their way. Edwards took a hard hit in that accident. Perhaps he knew in that instant he was done.
He may not have a championship on his resume, but Edwards was a championship contender several times. His decision to leave Roush Fenway Racing for Joe Gibbs Racing was a great one. He was as competitive as ever in the past two years, but I can’t help but think that this last crushing blow may have played a factor in his decision to walk away.
“There are times — the people close to me know that I follow my gut, and as an analytical as I am and as much as I wear people out about the details, Coach can attest to that, I do, I follow my gut, and sometimes I just — I just gather what’s around me, and I say, look, if all signs point to this, then that’s what I need to do. That’s what got me here in the first place. The way everybody looked at me when I announced I’m doing this is the same way people looked at me 20 years ago when I said, Hey, I’m going to drive a race car for a living, like you’re crazy. Literally people laughed at me.”
As for his future in motorsports, television could be a possibility. Edwards was a guest analyst on several Xfinity Series telecasts on Fox Sports 1 in 2016. But he was definitive in leaving his helmet behind when coming to a race weekend at least in the near future.
“I don’t have any intention of going back to full-time racing. I don’t have a plan to drive a race car right now. But I know enough about — I just know how things work, and if it comes up and the right opportunity is there and at that moment, it’s the right thing, then for sure I’d entertain it. But like I said, the first person I’d talk to is Coach (Gibbs).”
2016 Xfinity Series Champion Daniel Suarez will take Edwards’ place in the #19 Toyota.
NASCAR CEO and Chairman Brian France released this statement on Edwards’ retirement.
“Carl Edwards has made an indelible mark on NASCAR. His hard-charging driving style has led to memorable moments that will live forever in the history of our sport. Carl’s passion and personality will greatly be missed – as will the signature backflips that NASCAR fans have come to expect following his victories. We wish Carl nothing but the best as he enters this next phase in life.”
The next phase for Carl is one we all envy. But I have a feeling we will see him behind the wheel again at some point.
Speed For Thought 