Carl Edwards abruptly walked away from full-time NASCAR driving in 2017 at just 37 years old. The Columbia, Missouri native capped a decorated career with 28 Cup Series wins and a passionate fanbase that misses seeing Edwards perform his signature celebratory backflip.
In retirement from the driver’s seat, Edwards keeps an ultra-low profile avoiding any public spotlight. While his day-to-day lifestyle remains a mystery, we can examine Edwards’ potential paths since permanently parking his No. 19 car. In this article, we will learn about What is Carl Edwards Doing Now.
Post-NASCAR Life
Since last seen competing in the 2016 season, Carl Edwards has maintained an almost complete public disappearance over 7 years later. He seems to enjoy lying low and spending time with family rather than any press opportunities.
While unconfirmed, perhaps Edwards occupies his time farming, traveling, or engaging in various personal hobbies behind the scenes. Some fans speculate he might pursue interests like jiu-jitsu training given his supreme fitness regimen as a driver.
The most frequent rumor involves Edwards contemplating a political career given his Missouri roots. However, no credible information exists to suggest he has taken formal steps towards any public office campaign.
Ultimately Edwards’ immediate future remains wholly unclear to the masses. Perhaps the competitive itch to regain some spotlight will return for a man still in his early 40s. But for now, “Cousin Carl” seems content keeping post-racing activities strictly private.
NASCAR Legacy
Before shocking retirement in his prime, Edwards drove for powerhouse Roush Racing from 2003-2014 before finishing his career with Joe Gibbs Racing. Across 445 Cup Series starts, he tallied 28 wins and twice finished runner-up for the season championship (2008, 2011).
Edwards also captured the second-tier Xfinity Series title in 2007 while becoming renowned for his aggressive “loose cannon” style with trademark celebratory backflips and epic Bristol battles with Brad Keselowski. His passion and persistence persevering early long before first victories endeared him to loyal fans.
While absent currently as a personality, Edwards’ fingerprints remain all over NASCAR’s evolving landscape. Future stars like Erik Jones and Daniel Suárez drove his former no. 19 and Toyota owes much success to Edwards’ results convincing them to invest further.
So even missing actively nowadays, Edwards’ lasting impact persists through proteges and partners carrying his competitive torch.
Conclusion
As perhaps NASCAR’s greatest modern “What if?” driver walked away seemingly with plenty left to accomplish, Carl Edwards’ abrupt exit leaves behind a proud legacy but continued mystery on when or if his next chapter may come.
Wherever life takes him beyond racing, Edwards surely channels that trademark tenaciousness into new passions. And the tightknit NASCAR community undoubtedly welcomes their prodigal son’s triumphant return whenever Cousin Carl decides the time is right.
For now, after trading concrete tracks for more tranquil settings, family and freedom rule supreme in Carl’s world. But savvy fans know sparks can ignite dreams anew when gravity’s grip loosens aim a little higher when you are flying free.
So even as anticipation heightens for that called shot backflip ahead, contentment appears as the endgame goal Edwards chases these days on paths of his design. Blinding speed and hunger always travel within for legends living life their way.
The checkered flag of definitive closure may yet wave another day. But separated solitude smiles today as purpose stays paved along detours true to self – onwards.
Frequently Asked Questions About What is Carl Edwards Doing Now
Where does Carl Edwards live now?
Although his permanent residence stays private, Carl Edwards maintained a Columbia, Missouri home base even at the height of his NASCAR career. So odds remain likely Edwards returned focusing there on living a grounded life and keeping a low profile after retirement.
What is Carl Edwards doing now in 2024?
Carl Edwards has avoided any media or public appearances since departing NASCAR after the 2016 season. No concrete information exists confirming his current activities or career pursuits. Much speculation suggests Edwards simply enjoys private family life on his rural Missouri farm away from any spotlight.
Is Carl Edwards racing again?
As of 2024, no credible indications exist that Carl Edwards plans any sort of professional racing return despite being just 43 years old. While surprise comebacks always remain possible, Edwards seems content in retirement keeping an ultra-low profile and avoiding any media or insider speculation.
Who sponsors Carl Edwards?
Throughout his NASCAR career, Carl Edwards enjoyed primary sponsorships from fast food giant Subway (2003-2011), pharmaceutical company Aflac (2012-2017), and toy brand Arris (2015-2016). Top NASCAR organizations Roush Fenway Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing provided car support. Edwards has not actively pursued any sponsorships since retirement.
Is Carl Edwards entering politics?
Rumors have swirled for years that Missouri native Carl Edwards may pursue elected office like US Senate or Governor leveraging his regional popularity. However, Edwards has never directly commented publicly on any political aspirations or concrete steps to campaign for any office as of early 2024.
What number was Carl Edwards’s NASCAR car?
Carl Edwards spent his entire NASCAR Cup Series career from 2003 through the 2016 season driving the No. 19 Toyota. The number grew synonymous with Edwards through paint schemes like Subway, Aflac, and Arris sponsoring his cars for top organizations like Roush and JGR.
How did Carl Edwards qualify for NASCAR?
While running late model stock cars around Midwestern local dirt tracks, Carl Edwards caught his big break entering NASCAR when he met rising crew chief Bob Osborne. Edwards persuaded Osborne to come watch him race convincing the veteran mechanic of his talent enough to facilitate testing and development deals. Edwards’s first NASCAR chances soon followed kickstarting his rapid ascent to stardom.
What was Carl Edwards’ first NASCAR win?
Carl Edwards broke through for the first NASCAR Xfinity Series win of his career at Atlanta on March 13, 2004, driving the No. 60 Ford for owner Jack Roush. Almost exactly two years later on March 20, 2005, Edwards earned his inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory at the same Atlanta track cementing his rising star power at just age 25.
How did Carl Edwards start racing?
At just four years old in 1983, Carl Edwards began racing go-karts and motorcycles around his native Mid-Missouri developing into a local prodigy on dirt tracks as a youth. Edwards quickly transitioned to piloting larger stock cars around regional circuits throughout high school and early adulthood before big breaks facilitating his NASCAR national series debut.
Was Carl Edwards ever involved in a bad crash?
Yes, Carl Edwards endured several violent crashes during his NASCAR career including flipping upside down at Talladega in 2009 and the biggest aerial accident involving Brad Keselowski at Atlanta in 2010. However, Edwards avoided major injuries managing miraculous escapes that only boosted his profile earning respect as a steely-nerved daredevil driver fans loved to watch push the limits.
Where did Carl Edwards attend college?
Although racing consumed much of his focus growing up, Carl Edwards briefly attended the University of Missouri Science and Technology in Rolla, MO in the late 1990s studying engineering. However, Edwards ultimately left school after just one semester to pursue racing full-time realizing higher education would not prepare him for his dream career path behind the wheel.
Is Carl Edwards married? Who is his wife?
Yes, Carl Edwards has been married to their longtime wife Kate Downey Edwards since 2006. The two Midwestern natives met through mutual friends introduced by Kate’s father Mike Downey who knew Edwards through local dirt track racing circles and served as his agent early on. Edwards and Downey have two young children together living quietly back in Missouri.
What health issues have Carl Edwards faced?
Outside some nasty crashes earlier in his driving career, Carl Edwards has avoided major health trouble. Some speculate undiagnosed concussion effects from violent Talladega and Atlanta wrecks factored into Edwards’ unexpected early retirement. Edwards has also advocated for driver health safety improvements, especially following friend Eric Martin’s 2007 death in an Iowa Speedway crash.
Has Carl Edwards written a book?
No, as of early 2024, Carl Edwards has not authored any memoir books or extensive career-spanning profiles. Considering his continued avoidance of any media or public interviews after abruptly retiring in 2016, Edwards leaking in-depth insights in a book format seems highly unlikely anytime soon. Perhaps down the road retirement reflection may inspire Carl to open up more about his racing experiences.
What awards has Carl Edwards won?
In addition to his 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Most Popular Driver award cementing his esteemed fan-favorite status, some other key Carl Edwards honors include 2007 Xfinity Series Champion, 2011 Sprint All-Star Race Winner, 2005 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year, and repeat Best Driver ESPY Award nominations.
Will Carl Edwards run for political office?
While rumors have persisted for years that the Missouri native could pursue elected office like US Senate, governor, or other roles, Carl Edwards has never directly addressed any potential political aspirations or concrete campaigning actions. Given his apparent embrace of a private life after NASCAR, a political second act seems unlikely but always possible if Edwards ever shifts gears.
Who was Carl Edwards’ crew chief?
Across Carl Edwards’ 13 full NASCAR Cup Series seasons from 2004-2016, Bob Osborne served as his crew chief for 12 years bookended around stints with Jimmy Fennig, Dave Rogers, and Darian Grubb mixing in during Edwards’ final year driving in 2016. The long, successful Edwards-Osborne pairing became one of NASCAR’s most potent and respected driver-crew chief combinations.
How many wins did Carl Edwards have in NASCAR?
Across 13 complete seasons at NASCAR’s top Cup Series level from 2004 through 2016 before suddenly retiring, Carl Edwards tallied 28 total race wins during his driving career adding to 125 top-five finishes and 220 top-10 results over 445 career starts en route to consistent playoff contention and devout fan following.
