Healthy Carl Edwards ready to pursue interests outside of NASCAR

Joe Gibbs was in a meeting shortly before Christmas when he was informed Carl Edwards had unexpectedly stopped by Joe Gibbs Racing’s headquarters hoping to speak with his team owner one-on-one.

The three-time Super Bowl-winning head coach and four-time Cup Series championship car owner thought his driver just wanted to say hi before the holidays and wish him well. Instead, Edwards had a far different message he wanted to tell Gibbs. After 13 years in NASCAR’s premier division, Edwards has decided to walk away and will not race in 2017 and perhaps beyond.

Naturally, Gibbs was surprised by Edwards’ decision. After all, the 37-year-old driver was in the prime of his career, coming off a season where he nearly won a first-ever championship, and was well positioned to continue being a contender for years to come.

“When I walked into his office and said, ‘Hey, Coach, this is something that’s important to me. Is this possible?’” Edwards said during a news conference Wednesday. “... He said, ‘I admire you for being able to make a decision like this, and I’m going to go to work for you.’ That’s the type of person Joe Gibbs is. That’s the type of organization this is. I cannot thank him enough.”

But after listening to his rationale, Gibbs understood why Edwards would immediately cease driving the No. 19 JGR Toyota. Professionally fulfilled, healthy, and wanting to devote more time to his family, Edwards felt like now was the best time to stop racing even with one year remaining on his contract. There would be no changing his mind.

“I can’t come up with a good reason why now isn’t a good time,” Edwards said. “... This is the right thing. Life is short, you’ve got to do what your gut tells you.”

In his first comments publicly since making his decision, Edwards refused to say the word “retirement” on Wednesday. He doesn’t know what he will do next, though he would like to stay involved with NASCAR in some capacity, is open to pursuing a career in broadcasting, and would one day consider running for public office.

For now, Edwards will focus on his family, which includes two young children, and other interests like aviation -- he’s been a licensed pilot since high school and routinely flew from his home in Columbia, Mo., to JGR’s shop in Huntersville, N.C.

Several times during the 40-minute press conference Edwards was repeatedly asked if there were other reasons for why he would suddenly retire. Was he angling for a ride with a different team other than JGR for 2018, or perhaps he was dissatisfied with teammates Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, and Matt Kenseth? The answer to these questions was no.

If were to return to NASCAR competition, Edwards said his first phone call would be to Gibbs with the intent of securing a seat within the four-car organization. As for the dynamic between himself, Busch, Hamlin, and Kenseth, Edwards acknowledged he wasn’t always the best teammate throughout his career, but in his two years with JGR he felt the chemistry was strong and enjoyed being pushed by drivers equally capable as him.

“There’s no life raft I’m jumping onto, I’m just jumping,” Edwards said. “And in a way, it makes it easier, because I’m not being swayed by some carrot out here, something going on.

“This is a pure, simple, personal decision, and for that I’m grateful.”

Edwards won 28 races, and collected 124 top-five finishes and 220 top 10s in 445 career starts. He scored signature victories in the Southern 500 and Coca-Cola 600, regarded as two of the sport’s four marquee events, and twice finished runner-up in the championship.

During the 2016 season finale, Edwards was one of four title-eligible drivers and for a majority of the race was the highest running. His championship hopes were dashed on a restart with 10 laps remaining when a failed attempt to block fellow contender Joey Logano resulted in Edwards crashing into the inside frontstretch wall.

“I don’t race just for the trophies,” Edwards said. “This has been a neat journey for me and it’s always been something that I’ve been rewarded by the challenges.

“I feel accomplished. And I know when I sit in that race car that I am the best race car driver I can be. So whether or not I have a championship, I’m really satisfied with that.”