Another legendary NASCAR fan-favorite is back in the spotlight. Known for his backflips and 28 Cup Series wins, he disappeared from the world of NASCAR after the 2016 Cup Series disappointment. If you haven’t guessed it so far, it’s none other than Carl Edwards.

Edwards has recently been inducted into the NASCAR Hall Of Fame, for the year 2025. This has made his presence felt across the NASCAR world. As a result, questions have begun to resurface, regarding his retirement decision from the motorsport. In the past, Edwards either cited health reasons or indirectly his resentment over the 2016 result, which he believed cost him his title, as the reason for leaving NASCAR.

But, in the recent series of interviews, one could see a stark change in Edwards’ responses. Is the taste of Hall Of Fame induction sweet enough to drown the bitter past?

Carl Edwards’ reflections on the 2016 Championship and retirement

The final race at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the 2016 season is a significant story of Carl Edwards’ racing career. Edwards had taken the lead and was on his way to win his first Cup Series title. The only endeavor missing from an otherwise amazing track record. But as fate would have it, an unexpected caution flag changed the entire course of the race resulting in a restart. This restart thwarted Edward’s hopes for the championship as he got into a wreck with Joey Logano with the last two laps remaining. Ultimately, losing the title to Jimmie Johnson.

In a recent interview with Jenna Fryer, Carl Edwards emphasized his respect for NASCAR’s decision-making process despite the controversy. “I officially respect NASCAR running the sport the way they need to run it,” he said, indicating no hard feelings towards the organization.

To further clear the air he added, “My favorite way to race is a whole season for a championship, not one last restart. That’s me. I like cars to drive a certain way. Maybe other people don’t. People don’t. But, yeah, no, like, I’m 100% grateful to NASCAR. No hard feelings there.”

And when Jenna Fryer asked Carl Edwards whether he felt cheated by the 2016 decision. He was straight out, “I don’t believe that the… You know, I’d like to just say that I officially respect NASCAR running the sport the way they need to run it. I don’t want to bring that up and say anything negative.” All, of these statements by the veteran reveal that he is well over the past. Despite the rumors floating around.

Will Edwards be seen doing a backflip again?

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With Edwards back in the spotlight, the prospect of his return to tracks is now a hot topic among fans. Especially, whether he would ever sit again in a Cup car. As reported by Jeff Gluck in 2017, Edwards gave a witty reply. He said, “I’ve been talking to a bunch of people and weighing my options,” only to quickly retrace, “no, just kidding.”

Recently, in an interview with NASCAR reporter, Bob Pockrass, Carl Edwards makes it clear though that he’s not likely to sit in a cup car again. He said, ” No, thank you for asking, Bob. Not of a cup car, I don’t think. I did enjoy running the sim a little bit last year, and I think I’m going to go do a little bit more of that just to try to understand. I love driving cars, and I’m very curious. I did get the chance to talk to Jimmy recently. I mean, Jimmy’s Jimmy. He’s a race car driver, and he’s going to be doing it forever. But yeah, for me, no plans right now..”

Does this draw an end to Carl Edward’s Cup Series run once and for all? Maybe, just maybe with all the attention that the former JGR driver is getting, we might as well get lucky to see the backflip in the future.

After all, Edwards is still young and is in the same age group as Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch. The chances that these overwhelming heartfelt reactions will go unnoticed by sponsors are very low. Hence, let us not rule out the inductee of the 2025 Hall Of Fame, yet!