“If you’re looking for a driver, you’re looking for me”. That’s what was written on Carl Edwards’ business card well before his NASCAR days. Despite having a dirt-track background in the mid-west, the Missouri native successfully climbed the stock car racing ladder. Through sheer determination and hard work, he quickly established himself as a fan favorite. He may have never secured a Cup Series championship, but the racer has left an unforgettable legacy after retiring in 2017, earning him a place as one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers.

Underestimating his stature, the veteran racer was touched by the warm reception he received from fans. However, Edwards ruled out his iconic ‘backflip’ celebration at the induction moment, even though that would have been the most fitting response to being in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Carl Edwards is in two minds

When you think of NASCAR’s greatest drivers, the likes of Dale Earnhardt, Richard Petty, and Jimmie Johnson immediately spring to mind. After all, the trio have a combined total of 21 Cup Series championships between them, highlighting their racing prowess and lasting legacy. Despite not having the prestigious Bill France Cup on his CV, many consider Carl Edwards in the same league as well. Hailing from Missouri, the racer managed to win 28 Cup Series races in his career and was known for his iconic ‘backflip’ celebration after each triumph.

When asked if he would do the celebration once again during the induction ceremony, Carl Edwards candidly said, “These are the wrong shoes and I guarantee these pants are too tight. Kate (Downey, Edwards’ wife) was like, please, please do not do the backflip. My brother was like, ‘Screw it, go for it.’ If I really screw up the speech, then heck with it, I’ll do the backflip. If the speech goes well, I’m just walking away.”

Well, if his retirement reason is anything to go by, Edwards will certainly be prioritizing his health over a backflip. “I wanted to focus on my family and go do all of these things outside of the sport,” said Edwards when asked why he left on a high. So when his wife is giving him advice not to do it, he is more than likely to take it. However, it is worth revisiting his story leading up to a surprising retirement.

Edwards sent shockwaves in the NASCAR world by announcing his retirement from racing in 2017. The racer had endured two of the cruelest Championship defeats in the playoff system, which may have been the underlying reason behind his decision. The first came in 2011 when he was tied on points with Tony Stewart at the end of the season and lost the title on a ‘most-wins’ tiebreaker. Then, in 2016, he was leading the final race of the season with ten laps to go. What could possibly go wrong now? Edwards got wrecked in an incident with Joey Logano, putting him out of the race and eventually, leaving NASCAR as a whole.

Despite the abrupt end to his career, fans continue to hold a special place in their hearts for the Missouri native, who said, “I just didn’t know the reception. I was blown away, I was shocked. I remember when we did the introduction, I was waiting to hear what the crowd would do and they cheered.”

It might not have been the welcome Carl Edwards expected, but it’s certainly one he deserved. The newly inducted Hall of Famer has been living a life away from the spotlight for years now, but many continue to remember the lasting legacy he has left behind in the NASCAR world. Even though his full-time career is at an end, the 45-year-old isn’t completely shutting the door on a potential return, even if it’s not for a points-paying event. Could ‘Cousin Carl’ grace the racetrack once again? Time will tell.

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Edwards hints at possible Cup Series return in 2025

“I would love to have Carl Edwards do it”, said Kyle Larson, when speaking to Bob Pockrass about the All-Star Race practice session. The Hendrick Motorsports driver will attempt the ‘Double’ once again this year after weather conditions played spoilsport in 2024 and is hoping the veteran racer covers for him at North Wilkesboro Speedway. The prospect is an interesting one, especially for fans, as Edwards hasn’t competed in NASCAR since his abrupt retirement in 2016.

Speaking to Pockrass about a potential return, Carl Edwards said, “I don’t know if he’s messing with me… I’m very likely to crash a car if I were to get in one right now. It’s never a total no. I like options. That is kinda interesting, but I’d have to go run the sim or something like that and see if I can even get around [North Wilkesboro Speedway]. But nobody [at Hendrick Motorsports]’s officially talked to me about it. It’s no for now, but I’d drive a sim and check it out.”

Last year, Kevin Harvick drove the No. 5 Chevy in practice, indicating that Hendrick Motorsports could be open to the idea of a retired driver coming in for a weekend ahead of non-points paying race. If the team decides to follow Larson’s advice, it’s well within the realm of possibility that Carl Edwards could be making a potential NASCAR return. The prospect is an exciting one, as fans are eager to see the Missouri native behind the wheel of a Next-Gen car, nearly a decade after he stepped away from the sport. Even though it might seem like a long shot, motorsports enthusiasts will hold on to any ray of hope to see Carl Edwards on the racetrack once again.