Carl Edwards explains real reasons for leaving NASCAR in 2016

Carl Edwards is setting the record straight when it comes to why he left NASCAR following the 2016 Cup Series season. While speaking to reporters on Thursday (per Jeff Gluck of The Athletic), Edwards, who has been inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, revealed the three reasons he retired from the sport.

“I needed time,” Edwards said. Gluck pointed out that Edwards needed a break to spend more time with his family. The second reason Edwards left is, “I had accomplished all I needed to accomplish in the sport for me.”

And the last reason is health as Edwards did not want to sustain head injuries. “It’s really a risky sport,” Edwards stated. “I escaped without any lasting injuries.”

Edwards left NASCAR at 37 years old. In his Cup Series career, Edwards won 28 races and claimed the Busch Series title in 2007. Edwards’ most notable wins are the 2011 All-Star Race, the 2015 Coca-Cola 600 and the 2015 Bojangles’ Southern 500. In 2023, Edwards was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers. He drove for Roush Fenway Racing from 2004-2014 (Roush Racing from 2004-2006) and Joe Gibbs Racing in 2015 and 2016.

Carl Edwards does not regret retiring from NASCAR

When Edwards announced his retirement in 2017, he talked about not having any regrets. “The chance to go win the Daytona 500 is something that is really cool,” Edwards said, per ESPN. “But that’s one of the things that I gave up when I made the decision. But there is a lot of gain, too. “Things have been really, really good — definitely no regret.”

Last year, Edwards appeared on Fox Sports and talked about his love for racing. “It was easy to not race when I first stepped away, but it’s getting harder and harder,” he admitted, per Motorsport. “I like sliding stuff around and driving cars. So there’ll be a time when I go do something. Maybe sim work, something like that … to see if I could still drive. It’s a step-by-step process.”

He then added: “I love racing cars. I love driving cars. But I want to do it at 100%. For me, to step away from the sport when I did, I got to go do the things that I wanted to do 100% and if I ever come back, I want to be able to give it all I got.”