Carl Edwards once disappeared from NASCAR after suddenly retiring. He has since returned with sporadic appearances while learning something very important — he has a symbiotic relationship with stock car racing's top series.
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"I can't separate my life from this sport," Edwards told media members the day before his induction into the Hall of Fame. "And I did. I walked away eight years ago, I turned my back, and I walked out of the room, and it was scary.
"And over the last eight years, I felt odd about that, but for NASCAR to welcome me back, it's made me realize that this sport, it's a part of me. It's who I am. It's a part of my family. My life is shaped by this, and I think NASCAR knew that more than I did."
Saying that he walked away from NASCAR is not an exaggeration. After Edwards suddenly retired in January 2017, he disappeared from the spotlight. He was not around any of NASCAR's tracks, nor was he drawing attention on social media.
This absence was beneficial for Edwards, who joked that his ability to seemingly avoid physically aging is due to a low-stress Amish lifestyle. This includes farming and raising a family. Although he has also participated in some jiu-jitsu competitions.
While Edwards has still remained out of race cars and off of social media, he has dipped his feet back into the NASCAR world. He has shown up at multiple tracks, and he made an appearance in the booth during throwback weekend at Darlington Raceway in 2023.
The appearance at Darlington was significant. NASCAR honored Edwards and dozens of other drivers while celebrating the 75 Greatest Drivers in its history.
Just over one year after Edwards returned to the track, he received another major honor. He was voted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. He joined Ricky Rudd and Ralph Moody in the Class of 2025.
This week, three more will be solidified as Forever Legends.
Carl Edwards, Ricky Rudd and Ralph Moody will be inducted into the #NASCARHOF on Friday. pic.twitter.com/92jp0zr1Z4
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 5, 2025
This vote meant that Edwards had to do more media appearances to discuss his career and everything he accomplished in NASCAR. It also provided the opportunity for him to further reflect on his relationship with the sport.
"I'm blown away," Edwards said. "And when I found out that I'd been voted into the Hall of Fame, it was a feeling of, a true feeling (of) understanding what the NASCAR family is."
The 28-time Cup Series winner will have one more big opportunity to reflect on the symbiotic relationship when he steps onto the stage in Charlotte, North Carolina, and gives his Hall of Fame speech.
And while Edwards has a set time to deliver messages of gratitude, he fully believes he will blow right past the limit because he will have so much to share with the attendees at the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the people watching at home.
"There's no way I'm sticking to the eight minutes," Edwards said. "It's impossible. I mean, how am I going to do that?
"I got so many people to thank, and I got it down to maybe, like 13 minutes, but I ramble so there's no telling what's going to happen."
