Carl Edwards reflects on his career ahead of NASCAR Hall of Fame ceremony

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carl Edwards is set to be one of the newest members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

The fan-favorite driver spoke with the media ahead of Friday’s induction ceremony, reflecting on his career and admitting that he’s a bit nervous about his speech.

“There’s no way I’m sticking to the [speech time limit],” Edwards said. “I have so many people to thank.”

Edwards and Ricky Rudd are the modern-era inductees for the hall’s Class of 2025. Ralph Moody, a longtime car owner, was inducted on the pioneer ballot.

Both Edwards and Rudd were successful on the track but went relatively silent from the racing scene upon their retirement, an uncommon trend among NASCAR’s most prominent drivers.

Edwards, 45, specifically vanished entirely from NASCAR circles after his abrupt retirement in early 2017. He retired to his land in Missouri and was essentially not heard from again until he was invited for a NASCAR 75th anniversary celebration in 2023.

“I gave my life to [racing],” Edwards said. “Right now, I’m just trying to make sure I take care of the things at home that no one else is going to take care of for me.”

Edwards said he chose to keep his family life private, but he’s excited they get the chance to participate in the Hall of Fame ceremony.

With 28 wins in the NASCAR Cup Series and the 2007 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship, Edwards was one of the top racers in the sport from his first full-time season in 2005.

Some of Edwards’ biggest wins were the 2015 Coca-Cola 600, the 2015 Southern 500, and his four wins at Bristol and Texas. The first win of his career was also memorable: a last-lap duel with Jimmie Johnson at Atlanta in 2005, where he bested the seven-time champion by half a car length.

Edwards became one of NASCAR’s most popular drivers during its peak popularity. His signature victory celebration included a backflip off his car at the finish line.

The coveted NASCAR Cup Series championship avoided Edwards during his 13-year career. He finished second twice in the points standings and was close to taking the title in 2016 but was wrecked late in the championship race.

That heartbreaking result would prove to be Edwards’ final NASCAR race. He retired shortly after, shocking many followers of the sport. Edwards said he was so well-received even after his absence from the NASCAR scene.

“I walked away, and I thought I was really giving all this up, including the relationships,” Edwards said. “I was shocked that people welcomed me back the way they did.”

Edwards said returning to the sport has given him a new appreciation for racing and what it means to the fans. He said he watched the Daytona race in July and was captivated by seeing the Wood Brothers get their 100th win with Harrison Burton as his father Jeff Burton called the race from the NBC Sports booth.

“When I found out that that I’d been voted into the Hall of Fame, it was a feeling of a true feeling understanding what the NASCAR family is,” Edwards said. “It shocked me. I never expected it.”

Edwards will no doubt be a popular addition to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. From his celebratory backflips to his run-ins with Brad Keselowski to his dominant performance on the track, Edwards is an integral part of NASCAR history.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame induction will be live on NASCAR’s streaming channel on Tubi at 8 p.m. ET.

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