Carl Edwards finally clarifies reason for surprise NASCAR retirement
Yesterday at 01:55 AM
NASCAR driver Carl Edwards was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame and he finally explained why he walked away from the sport
In 2016, Carl Edwards was in the battle for the NASCAR Championship. On a restart, he made a bold move. A block sent him hard into the inside wall.
Ahead of the 2017 season, Edwards abruptly retired from NASCAR. He reasoning was vague but he never returned to the sport.
Now, Edwards is heading into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. During his speech, he commented on the reason behind his retirement, noting concussions.
He ran 445 NASCAR Cup Series race throughout his career. He picked up 28 wins including three in his final season but never claimed a championship.
Dale Earnhardt Jr was winning in NASCAR while suffering from concussions
Carl Edwards comments on his surprise NASCAR retirement
“In 2016, we won 19 races as a team,” Carl Edwards stated at the podium of NASCAR Hall of Fame.
“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, about 20 laps to go in that race, what it felt like to have a championship team to run a championship race. That was special.”
“That restart didn’t work out. The theme of this is gratitude. This is going to sound strange. But, I’m so grateful that we didn’t win that championship.”
“Because 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 didn’t know my kids. And because of brave men like Dale Earnhardt Jr and other athletes, I was keenly aware, there were real risks to hitting your head over and over.”
“I said, ‘Hey, this season’s done. I’m going to move to the next one.’ “
Dale Earnhardt Jr kept secret notes in case of the worst
The meeting with Joe Gibbs
“I’m walking in your office, Coach Gibbs. I know Kyle was in there moments before, trying to get you to let him race the Indy 500 or something. You’re like, what do you got?”
“When I told you what I wanted to do, just like Mike Mittler had done all those years before. You jumped up from behind the desk and you said, ‘This is important for you, I got your back. I’m going to make this happen for you.’ “
“You didn’t have to say that, okay. You changed my families life and gave me permission to do something I needed to do.”
“I want you to know, you are the model father. The way you had a relationship with your sons. I saw that, I tried to emulate it in our homes. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr suffered 20+ concussions; He hid most of them from NASCAR
Carl Edwards NASCAR Hall of Fame speech
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