Carl Edwards says timing ‘simply feels proper’ to re-enter NASCAR highlight

At first look, Carl Edwards is an easy circle of relatives guy who lives on a farm in Columbia, Missouri. As an athlete who’s a Hall of Famer in his respective recreation of NASCAR racing, there is no longer a touch of brashness in his voice.

Yet, Edwards is without doubt one of the easiest NASCAR drivers of his technology. The humble 45-year-old gained 28 NASCAR Cup Series races in a profession that culminated together with his enshrinement within the NASCAR Hall of Fame in February. 

On May 25, Edwards will as soon as once more be one of the vital stars of a NASCAR telecast, despite the fact that he’s going to industry in a firesuit for a go well with and tie and a steerage wheel for a teleprompter as he supplies research for Prime Video’s pre- and post-race protection of 5 NASCAR Cup Series races. 

Edwards’ retirement in January of 2017 stunned the NASCAR global. After all, he used to be recent off a Championship 4 look in 2016, and whilst he heartbreakingly misplaced the championship, he used to be on the best of his sport. 

But Edwards, being a person who is aware of racing is not the top sport of his lifestyles, used to be content material together with his profession. In his Hall of Fame induction speech in February, he stated he used to be thankful to not have gained the championship in 2016. When Kyle Larson presented Edwards the chance to follow his automotive at North Wilkesboro whilst Larson certified for the Indianapolis 500, Edwards with politeness declined. 

After being most commonly radio silent within the years following his retirement, Edwards started to creep again into the NASCAR scene. He used to be at Darlington in May of 2023 when he used to be known as one in all NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers. He drove the tempo automotive at Kansas in September of 2024, and used to be the honorary starter at Darlington in April. 

Starting on May 25, he’s going to be one of the vital faces of Prime Video’s studio protection of NASCAR as he works along host Danielle Trotta and fellow driver-analyst Corey LaJoie. 

Nearly a decade got rid of from his retirement from NASCAR, Edwards stated that after you have to understand the Prime Video staff, he knew it used to be the precise time to return again to the game, albeit in a special capability. 

“I’ve been shocked at the way the sport has welcomed me,” Edwards informed Yardbarker in a digital information convention on Monday. “I really know what it’s like to be part of the NASCAR family. It’s a really good feeling.” 

Edwards wasn’t certain concerning the alternative to paintings with Prime Video – till Sr. Coordinating manufacturer Alex Strand and others from the staff got here to his area in Columbia to speak with him. 

“They came all the way to Columbia, Missouri,” Edwards stated. “We had a heck of a fun day. As we sat around my table, at my house, with my family, I realized that this Prime team, they’re fans. They love sports. They love being at the events. All of that came together. NASCAR welcomed me back for five races. I thought, ‘This will be an adventure. My family’s coming with me. Why not? Let’s go do it.”

After speaking with fellow ability in Steve Letarte — a former staff leader with a decade of TV enjoy — and fellow Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr., Edwards knew that the chance used to be one he could not cross up. 

“I’m just so grateful that Prime came all the way out to Missouri and talked me into this,” Edwards stated. “The timing just feels right.” 

For everybody who watched Edwards’ race, seeing him come again to NASCAR feels proper, too. 

All quotations acquired firsthand except another way famous.