“When you’re in search of a driver, you are in search of me.”
These had been the phrases etched on business cards {that a} younger Carl Edwards, then working as an alternative 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 possible by no means anticipated to go on within the first place.
Edwards received 28 Cup Collection races in simply 12 full-time seasons. He received 38 NASCAR Xfinity Collection races in simply seven full-time seasons, together with a championship run in 2007. Add six Truck Collection wins to his resume, and you’ve got a person well-deserving of being eternally enshrined in NASCAR historical past.
Edwards’ sudden retirement following the conclusion of the 2016 NASCAR Cup Collection 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, basically 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 believed I used to be really turning my again on this complete sport,” Edwards mentioned in his speech on Friday night. “I believed I used to be making a alternative between this sport and my household. Each prize has its value, and for me, the prize of my household was value that value.”
“What you have accomplished, right here, although, is let me win each methods,” he added, addressing the gang.
Some of the essential figures in serving to carry Edwards’ profession to life was automobile proprietor Jack Roush, who was impressed sufficient by Edwards’ begins within the 2002 Truck Collection season to signal Edwards for 2003.
“I realized so many issues from Jack,” Edwards mentioned. “It was unreal. I had one of the best teammates on the earth. Throughout that point, I realized that teamwork is crucial factor in life, interval. I carry it with me on daily basis.”
Edwards left Roush following the 2014 season, signing with Joe Gibbs Racing.
In 2016, Edwards had among the finest seasons of his profession with, successful 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 tip end result was precisely what he wanted.
“I am so grateful we did not win that championship,” Edwards mentioned. “It gave me time to go dwelling and take into consideration just a few issues. I checked out my profession. It was past my wildest goals.”
Edwards might have by no means captured a Cup Collection championship, however his affect 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 may be one tiny chapter of his NASCAR profession that would nonetheless be written, nonetheless. Kyle Larson must miss follow for the NASCAR All-Star Race in Might attributable to Indianapolis 500 qualifying. Larson has expressed that he would need Edwards to doubtlessly drive the automobile throughout follow.
Edwards’ response?
“That automobile, that workforce, it will be a lot enjoyable to do, the racer in me says that,” Edwards mentioned. “The realist says, ‘You have not pushed a automobile for eight years, you will screw all of it up and it will be horrible.’ I do not know what to do about that.”
