Carl Edwards 'so grateful' he didn't win NASCAR championship in 2016

Last night, Carl Edwards was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. For really the first time publicly, Edwards addressed his retirement. He went further than that, talking about coming up short of the 2016 championship.

Carl Edwards shocked the NASCAR world when he retired in January of 2017. He was in his prime. He had just come off of a Championship 4 appearance that was thwarted by a wild restart. Not to mention, he was driving for Joe Gibbs Racing.

During his speech, Edwards revealed another surprising aspect of his retirement and final season in the Cup Series.

“But 2016 … Homestead was one of the best races I’ve run in my life. I don’t care that we don’t have that championship, I knew with about 20 laps to go in that race what it felt like to have a championship team to run the championship race with Dave Rodgers and those guys. That was special. That restart didn’t work out, and this is something, the theme of this is gratitude and this is going to sound strange, but I’m so grateful that we didn’t win that championship. I’m so grateful. It gave me time to go home and think about a few things. I looked at my career, it was beyond my wildest dreams. I mean, beyond my wildest dreams.

“I didn’t know my kids. And because of brave men like Dale Earnhardt Jr. and other athletes, I was keenly aware there are real risks to hitting your head over and over. And I said, hey, this season’s done, I’m going to move to the next one.”

In his roughly 20-minute speech, Carl Edwards thanked a lot of people. His emotional mention of Joe Gibbs and that 2016 season was one of the more special parts of the night.

Carl Edwards gets closure at Hall of Fame induction

Watching Carl Edwards last night was special. You could tell that he was at peace with his decision, and now he knows that the rest of the NASCAR world is as well. He made a personal decision and it has turned out to be a great decision.

While we likely won’t see Edwards race again, there is a chance to get him to be part of the NASCAR action again. He would be great on TV for starters, in the booth or in the studio. Not to mention, Kyle Larson wants to get him back in a Cup car.

It wouldn’t be for a race, but Larson will have Indy 500 practice and qualifying during All-Star Race practice and qualifying at North Wilkesboro. Last year, Kevin Harvick drove the No. 5 car for Larson. If he has his way, the Cup Series champion will have Edwards practice and qualify his car this year.

For now, Carl Edwards says nothing has been formally asked. Hendrick has not reached out yet. Still, he hasn’t ruled it out.