Carl Edwards explains reaction to making NASCAR Hall of Fame
Carl Edwards loved competing in NASCAR but didn’t think he would be inducted into the Hall of Fame once his career ended. While speaking to reporters on Thursday, Edwards explained his reaction when he learned he was going to be part of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
“I thought about it. I thought, man, I can’t build my day around that because it’s not going to happen,” Edwards said Thursday in a Zoom media availability, per NASCAR.com. “I called Randy Fuller (former Roush Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing senior media relations manager), and I was just blown away. I knew Randy wouldn’t mess with me like that. I was shocked, and I still am at how much it means to me. I wasn’t expecting to feel this way. It’s very humbling.”
It should be too much of a surprise for Edwards since he was named one of NASCAR’s 75 best drivers of all time last year. In his career, the 44-year-old won 72 races across all three of NASCAR’s national series. He won the Busch Series title in 2007 and finished second in the Cup Series standings in 2008 and 2011.
“The longer I’ve been away, I appreciate the sport more and more,” Edwards said. “Last year, just the honor of being part of those 75 (Greatest) drivers, it shocked me how much fun it was to come back to Darlington to be a part of that, and I guess what I’m trying to say is the longer I am away, the more I appreciate it. This honor is over the top. I did not expect this in any way. I was shocked. It’s been a huge deal to me, much bigger than I ever would have expected.”
Carl Edwards explains why he left NASCAR
When Edwards announced his retirement in 2017, it was a shock for racing fans because he was only 37 years old and still racing at a high level. In his final Cup Series season, Edwards earned three wins, recorded a fifth-place finish in the Daytona 500 and finished fourth in the Cup Series standings.
During his press conference with reporters on Thursday, Edwards shared three reasons why he retired. The legendary driver wanted to spend more time with his family, he felt like he accomplished everything he wanted in the sport and he wanted to avoid head injuries.