Edwards calling it quits at 37
Driver’s decision a surprise, given his success, age
Carl Edwards is expected to announce he will step away from NASCAR, effective immediately, in a news conference Wednesday at Joe Gibbs Racing headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The move undoubtedly will stun the racing world because Edwards is in the prime of his career and nearly won the Sprint Cup Series championship last season. At 37 and driving for one of the top teams in NASCAR, Edwards figured to have five to 10 more years in racing, should he wish to continue.
No reason was given for his decision, but Edwards has been known as a familyfocused driver who cares deeply about his private life. While most drivers live in the Charlotte area, for example, Edwards lives in his hometown of Columbia, Missouri.
Joe Gibbs Racing wouldn’ t comment on the speculation but called for two news conferences Wednesday. Fox Sports reported Daniel Suarez, who won the Xfinity Series championship last season, will replace Edwards in the No. 19 Cup Series car.
Edwards has 28 Cup victories and has finished as the runner- up for the championship twice ( 2008 and 2011). He burst onto the Cup scene in 2004, when he showed much promise in a partial season after replacing Jeff Burton in Roush Racing’s No. 99 car.
Edwards won four times in his first full season in 2005 and immediately became one of the big names on the NASCAR circuit. His 28 career victories are more than six drivers already in the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and the total would have tied him for sixth among active drivers entering this season.
But Edwards never won a championship, and that also will be part of his legacy. He put on one of the all- time great championship battles with Tony Stewart in 2011, only to lose on a tiebreaker. Last year, he was leading on a late restart in the championship race when he tried to block Joey Logano and crashed out as a result.
Edwards also will be remembered for his relationship with the fans. He backflipped off his cars and sometimes ran up into the stands to celebrate with people. He was also mediaconscious and always made a point to remove his sunglasses in interviews, hoping to connect better with the viewers at home.