‘Cousin Carl’ is synonymous with peak NASCAR racing. For the short 12-year period that Carl Edwards was present in the sport, he left a trailblazing legacy. He collected 38 trophies and the 2007 Series championship in the Xfinity Series. The Cup Series witnessed him winning 28 times, besides finishing runner-up in the championship twice. However, before Edwards became this force, he went through a humbling rite of passage.

Every amateur driver looking for a new ride washes up against difficulties. At those times, veterans of the sport help them out. Carl Edwards may have been elected to the 2025 NASCAR Hall of Fame, but there was a time when he was a rookie, and veteran driver Benny Parsons gave him sound career advice.

Carl Edwards reflects on professional blunder

Every legendary racer has a unique story to tell. Carl Edwards’ book tells the story of a young gearhead toughing it out. Before he became a NASCAR icon, Edwards worked as a substitute teacher. Juggling his teaching and racing duties was no mean feat. He did so while trying to impress others with his little or so experience – that is what Benny Parsons took him to task for. Edwards handed out business cards at racetracks, trying to catch the attention of any personality willing to give him time. The Missouri native admittedly said that he met with a lot of scoffs and laughter for his special way of attracting team owners.

Benny Parsons, another NASCAR Hall of Famer and 1973 Winston Cup Series Champion, just offered some wise words of wisdom. In a recent media conference, Carl Edwards reflected on the hilarious yet incredibly insightful encounter. “Benny Parsons… I worked up the grit, gave him the card. He looked at it, looked it over, and said, ‘Hey, you want some advice?’ I said, ‘Sure?’ He said, ‘If your whole resume fits at the back of a business card, you might just wanna leave it off.'” This opened a window of new opportunities for Edwards, as he could save up. He humbly acknowledged Parsons’ advice, “I was like, ‘That’s genius!’ ‘Cause that’s going to save me like two cents a card.”

Benny Parsons, 21-time Cup Series race winner and NASCAR commentator, enlightened Carl Edwards. The latter explained why as well, as Edwards’ business card did not have much to impress with experience. “So I had this card… On the back, there were two things – experiences: Four-cylinder cars; said Midgets, which I hadn’t driven a Midget, still I put it down there. It said some other stuff… it said references, like Timmy Kahuth… I don’t know who else.” This offers a stark contrast to what Edwards achieved by the end of his career.

Yet even in his retirement year, he maintained the same humble attitude as before. That has continued until the present day.

Edwards never expected to be honored

Well, the extraordinary ones never do. Benny Parsons may have snubbed Carl Edwards for a professional blunder, but the latter made up for it with his iconic NASCAR moments. Edwards picked up six victories in the Craftsman Truck Series in just 60 starts and also clinched the 2003 Rookie of the Year. However, the most thrilling race may have been the 2011 Homestead championship finale. He raced Tony Stewart wildly for the trophy, and the latter barely beat him to win the title on a “most victories” tiebreaker. Despite his magnanimous achievements, Edwards still could not believe that NASCAR would induct him into its Hall of Fame.

“No. Not in a million years,” Carl Edwards admitted recently. Many people thought that Edwards abruptly left at the end of the 2016 season due to his heartbreaking championship failure. However, the now 44-year-old vehemently claims that was not the case. He was completely content with what he had achieved, in step with his humble personality. “I wouldn’t change a thing. I wouldn’t go back. I wouldn’t have one more point in that tie with Tony Stewart. I wouldn’t change anything in 2016. I mean, I feel just completely blessed. Things are great. Of course, I’d like some more trophies, but I wouldn’t change anything.”

Carl Edwards’ spectacular NASCAR career is indeed something to look up to for ages. NASCAR is presently celebrating its 2025 Hall of Fame inductees, and Edwards shines brightly among them.