Retired NASCAR Cup Series driver Carl Edwards has shared his interest in paying a visit to the Trackhouse Racing race shop. The 28-time Cup Series winner has no plans to return to the sport but is highly interested in learning how Justin Marks' team has been so successful thus far.
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Edwards retired from racing following the 2016 season, which brought his 13-year Cup career to an abrupt end. The shock of the Columbia, Missouri native's sudden retirement has always made fans believe that the driver was completely done with the sport. So, whenever his name is mentioned in terms of NASCAR, the rumor mill starts running.
It has been seven seasons since Edwards hung up the wheel — still, some fans hold out hope that the now-43-year-old might make a comeback. Edwards has shot down rumors on a number of occasions. But, that didn't stop new rumors from circulating after his recent appearance on the SiriusXM NASCAR Radio channel, where he brought up his intent to visit the Trackhouse Racing facility.
👀 Carl Edwards visiting the @TeamTrackhouse shop⁉️
Don’t get too excited. Cousin Carl isn’t planning on racing for @JustinMarksTH and co. anytime soon.
🔊 “I’m not taking a seat insert or anything [...] I’m just excited to see the shop.” #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/yYvG3nfNny
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) April 25, 2023
Edwards talked about how many new and exciting things have been happening across the sport, and revealed that he had been texting with Marks and is hoping to get down to Nashville to the Trackhouse shop.
"There are so many exciting things going on right now," Edwards said. "It's really exciting. Glad to be a very small part of it today."
The Trackhouse Racing stable fields two full-time rides in the Cup Series: the No. 1 Chevy for Ross Chastain and the No. 99 Chevy for Daniel Suarez. Both drivers are locked down for next season, but the Marks- and Pitbull-owned team also fields a third car in select events.
The car is the No. 91 Chevy, which is part of what the team calls Project91. The car is designed to give well-known and renowned international racers a chance to compete in the Cup Series.
2007 Formula One world champion Kimi Räikk?nen has already driven the car twice — first at Watkins Glen in 2022, and then behind the wheel at Circuit of the Americas earlier this season. Marks has already said a new driver will be behind the wheel the next time the car enters a race.
Could Edwards get a shot?
It would be a popular move for the fans, but Project91 was never created for NASCAR drivers. It was purely for drivers from other series around the world to feel the experience. Marks confirmed that point when Trackhouse Racing was rumored to be a potential landing spot for Jimmie Johnson before Johnson made his return with Legacy Motor Club.
An Edwards drive with Project91 isn't in the cards, and he made sure his intent was known.
"I'm not taking a seat insert or anything," Edwards said. "But, yes, I am going to check it out. He's such a cool guy, and that story is amazing. I'm just excited to see the shop."
