The end of Carl Edwards’ NASCAR journey was not only abrupt but heartbreaking. It was a gut-wrenching loss of sorts, the kind that becomes a turning point in life.
Edwards was leading the 2016 Championship race at Homestead when a late caution caused a restart with 10 laps to go. What proceeded was pure chaos and a crash that would change Edwards’ perspective and priorities.
Edwards was on the inside beside leader Kyle Larson at the restart. Joey Logano, behind Edwards in Row 2, moved down from the inside in an attempt to go beneath the 19 JGR driver. Edwards was searching for his first Cup Series win after a 15-year journey, winning 28 Cup races.
He did what anyone in his position would: he threw a block. The nose of the 22 Penske made contact with the left rear of Edwards’ Toyota, spinning him towards the inside. Edwards was sent off the wall and back upfield when an oncoming car slammed into him. He walked out of the car and straight to his pit box.
That was it. After that, Edwards never touched a race car again. Speaking to Dale Earnhardt Jr., the NASCAR Hall of Famer said, “It was the best thing in the world for me. I was able to get the message that I did not belong in a racecar; that is not what I was supposed to be doing with my life.”
26 September, 2009: Carl Edwards takes timeout to wave to the cameras before the final practice session of the AAA 400 race at the Dover International Speedway in Dover, DE.
26 September, 2009: Carl Edwards takes timeout to wave to the cameras before the final practice session of the AAA 400 race at the Dover International Speedway in Dover, DE.
The revelations came from a space of self-reflection. In his time away, Edwards has committed himself to giving every moment to his family. Edwards, who had several head injuries during his time in racing, hinted at another reason behind walking away.
How the late restart affected Edwards' retirement call
On the podcast with Edwards, he recalled his thinking immediately after the 2016 heartbreak, speaking about going about getting ready for the 2017 season with the same dedication.
“I’m gonna put everything in my life second in the backseat, and I’m gonna go start at Daytona, and I’m gonna drive the h*** out of this racecar. Like I’ve been doing for 13-14 years, and I’m gonna run this thing all the way to the end and give it my all for another year in my life.”
Edwards added, “And then I’m gonna get to Homestead at the end of 2017, I’m gonna do everything just right, and they’re gonna throw a caution with five to, and we’re going to put all this on a restart? I don’t know if spending a whole year of my life and all the things you give up and possibly give up, you know, one restart.”
Edwards was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2025 and has started appearing as a broadcaster for Prime Video.
You can read more on the Daytona Racing Digest!
Written by
Debrup Chaudhuri
Edited by
Suyashdeep Sason