“Should you’re in search of a driver, you are in search of me.”
These have been the phrases etched on business cards {that a} younger Carl Edwards, then working in its place instructor, handed out to anyone and all people he might whereas in search of any alternative to race in NASCAR.
Edwards was inducted into the NASCAR Corridor of Fame on Friday, finishing a journey that the 45-year-old doubtless by no means anticipated to go on within the first place.
Edwards received 28 Cup Sequence races in simply 12 full-time seasons. He received 38 NASCAR Xfinity Sequence races in simply seven full-time seasons, together with a championship run in 2007. Add six Truck Sequence wins to his resume, and you’ve got a person well-deserving of being perpetually enshrined in NASCAR historical past.
Edwards’ sudden retirement following the conclusion of the 2016 NASCAR Cup Sequence season shocked the NASCAR world. Edwards appeared to be within the prime of his profession and was coming off of a Championship 4 look with Joe Gibbs Racing. Since his retirement, he seldom made appearances at NASCAR occasions, primarily disappearing from the general public view.
Edwards made positive to deal with the elephant within the room proper of the bat.
“I left eight years in the past. I assumed I used to be really turning my again on this entire sport,” Edwards stated in his speech on Friday night. “I assumed I used to be making a alternative between this sport and my household. Each prize has its worth, and for me, the prize of my household was price that worth.”
“What you’ve got accomplished, right here, although, is let me win each methods,” he added, addressing the gang.
One of the vital essential figures in serving to convey Edwards’ profession to life was automotive proprietor Jack Roush, who was impressed sufficient by Edwards’ begins within the 2002 Truck Sequence season to signal Edwards for 2003.
“I realized so many issues from Jack,” Edwards stated. “It was unreal. I had one of the best teammates on the planet. Throughout that point, I realized that teamwork is a very powerful factor in life, interval. I carry it with me daily.”
Edwards left Roush following the 2014 season, signing with Joe Gibbs Racing.
In 2016, Edwards had probably the greatest seasons of his profession with, profitable three races and making the Championship 4. Nonetheless, an ill-timed block on a late restart took Edwards out of the race and out of championship rivalry. It was a heartbreaking approach for Edwards to lose the title, however as Edwards described, the top consequence was precisely what he wanted.
“I am so grateful we did not win that championship,” Edwards stated. “It gave me time to go house and take into consideration just a few issues. I checked out my profession. It was past my wildest goals.”
Edwards could have by no means captured a Cup Sequence championship, however his influence on the game cannot be understated. His story is certainly one of a traditional, scrappy underdog: a substitute instructor from Columbia, Missouri, handing out enterprise playing cards and in search of any alternative to race.
There’s one tiny chapter of his NASCAR profession that would nonetheless be written, nonetheless. Kyle Larson should miss follow for the NASCAR All-Star Race in Might because of Indianapolis 500 qualifying. Larson has expressed that he would need Edwards to doubtlessly drive the automotive throughout follow.
Edwards’ response?
“That automotive, that workforce, it could be a lot enjoyable to do, the racer in me says that,” Edwards stated. “The realist says, ‘You have not pushed a automotive for eight years, you will screw all of it up and it will be horrible.’ I do not know what to do about that.”
