Carl Edwards to be inducted into Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame: Carl Edwards, who won six times at TMS over the course of his NASCAR career, will be inducted into the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame on Saturday, November 3. Site of the final victory of his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series career, Edwards will return to world-renowned motorsports facility on Saturday, Nov. 3 during the AAA Texas 500 NASCAR tripleheader playoff weekend, where he’ll be inducted into the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame.[More](10-4-2018)

Carl Edwards has no plans to return to racing: Carl Edwards spoke Wednesday night more than a year after leaving full-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driving, and to the disappointment of many fans, he isn’t planning a return. “I don’t have any plans to come back,” Edwards told Claire B. Lang on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. “I do miss a lot of people. I stay in touch with a lot of folks and have fun, but I really appreciate the time from Joe Gibbs and everyone else to go do the things I want to do.[More](3-22-2018)

Carl Edwards content outside of NASCAR: [Carl] Edwards said he’s content with his life since he shocked the racing world one year ago by walking away from his ride with Joe Gibbs Racing, shortly after nearly winning a NASCAR Cup Series championship. He lives in the Columbia, Missouri area with wife Kate and their two children. Many people believe Edwards – who won 72 races in NASCAR’s top three divisions – will return to racing’s big leagues at some point. But he doesn’t sound like a guy who’s coming back.[More](1-8-2018)

Schrader, Edwards, Mittler among Ozarks Racers’ Hall of Fame inductees: Ken Schrader has been driving race cars for nearly 50 years and he has no plans on slowing down soon. Proud of his Midwestern racing roots, Schrader said he’s humbled to be part of the 10-person induction class for the Ozarks Area Racers Foundation Hall of Fame on Jan. 6. Former NASCAR driver and fellow Missourian Carl Edwards along with St. Louis’ Mike Mittler are among those joining Schrader as honorees at the event, at the Ozarks Empire Fairgrounds E-Plex in Springfield. [More](12-6-2017)

ICM Partners to represent retired NASCAR driver Edwards ICM Partners signed recently retired NASCAR driver Carl Edwards for broadcasting, literary, acting & more.[More](9-18-2017)

Team Penske to expand to three car team in 2018..with Blaney Team Penske announced that Ryan Blaney will join the organization as a full-time driver in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) beginning in 2018 as the team returns to a three-car operation in NASCAR’s premier series. The 23-year-old Blaney, who also signed a multi-year contract extension with the team, will pilot the #12 Ford Fusion, beginning with the annual non-points “Clash” event at Daytona International Speedway in February. Team Penske has not competed as a full-time, three-car team since the 2010 season with Keselowski, Kurt Busch and Sam Hornish Jr. More details surrounding the #12 team, including sponsorship and crew chief, will be announced in the near future.(Team Penske)[Read More Here](7-26-2017)

Carl Edwards: ‘I haven’t even considered coming back’ Carl Edwards misses the people, and he misses getting behind the wheel occasionally when the NASCAR Cup Series goes to one of his favorite tracks. But he doesn’t sound like an athlete who feels he’s missing out since his abrupt announcement in January to abandon the driver’s seat. Edwards, at Sonoma Raceway to fulfill a sponsor commitment Saturday, had not even been to a racetrack for at least three months and said he has not watched much racing because he doesn’t watch much television. The former Joe Gibbs Racing driver said he had to be briefed prior to talking to the media about the speculation of whether he could replace Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Hendrick Motorsports, or possibly join another organization for a return in 2018. “I haven’t talked to anyone and I haven’t even considered coming back,” Edwards said. “Not right now. It’s pretty clear if I feel like I really want to do something, then I would do it. But like I said in January, I would talk to Coach [Gibbs] first and I haven’t had any conversations about that.” Edwards said he recently wrote Gibbs a letter, thanking him for the opportunity to race and also to step away when he wanted to quit.(ESPN)(6-24-2017)

Edwards sets SUV speed record Carl Edwards isn’t racing in NASCAR this season, but he’s still going plenty fast. Edwards, who won 28 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races over 13 years first with Roush Fenway Racing and then Joe Gibbs Racing, recently drove a heavily modified Toyota Land Cruiser to a speed of 230.02 miles per hour, making it the World’s Fastest SUV. Edwards made his record run at the Mojave Air and Space Port in Mojave, California, which has a straightaway that is 2.5 miles long. And Edwards said he flew there in his Cessna and landed on the same runway where he set his record. (Jensen) then asked Edwards what his next adventure would be.
“I got about 1,800 acres of soybeans to plant, but that’s about it for right now.”(Tom Jensen / FoxSports)[click to continue](5-8-2017)

Edwards says he has no plans to return to racing The Phoenix Raceway garage was buzzing this weekend with rumors that Carl Edwards would be back racing in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series garage next year, but Edwards says he has no plans to return. Edwards announced in January that he would leave Joe Gibbs Racing to pursue interests outside of racing. In a text exchange Saturday afternoon with FoxSports Tom Jensen, Edwards wrote, “Like I said at the press conference, I had no racing plans then and do not now. There is no hidden agenda – those three reasons are it.”(FoxSports)[More](3-18-2017)

Ford Performance boss believes Edwards to return Carl Edwards stunned the NASCAR community when he announced an unscheduled sabbatical last January. But no one, including the top brass at Ford Performance–that’s right, Ford–would be surprised if Edwards’ return to racing was just as swift and abrupt as his departure. Ford Performance boss Dave Pericak anticipates a return by Edwards. “I don’t know what Carl’s future looks like,” Pericak said. “We’ve had no conversations about that at all. I can tell you that, honestly. I personally believe that Carl’s coming back. That’s just a Dave Pericak thought, but I have no idea what’s going on with him. No conversations, but you’ll see Carl Edwards in the sport again. That’s my two-cents worth.”
Since Edwards’ departure, the rumor mill has run wild with speculation. Will he replace Danica Patrick in the #10 car next year? How about bumping Kasey Kahne from the #5 team? Will Team Penske start a third team for Edwards? Could he replace Matt Kenseth following his former teammate’s retirement tour?(Motorsport)[More](3-16-2017)

Carl Edwards helps Suarez during Friday’s practice at Atlanta Back in January, Carl Edwards stepped away from Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Racing, but apparently it wasn’t a giant step. The former driver of the #19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota is still close enough to mentor his successor in the car. In fact, Edwards flew to Atlanta on Friday to offer some assistance and advice. “He’s a great guy, very good friend,” Suarez said on Friday at Atlanta Motor Speedway. “He just asked me, ‘Hey, Daniel, do you want me to go over there? Do you think it would be helpful?’ Edwards said he enjoyed helping Suarez but wasn’t sure how long he would be at the track.(NASCAR Wire Service)[More](3-4-2017)

Edwards getting paid to sit out? to Penske in 2018? Denied: when NASCAR star Carl Edwards announced last month that he too is retiring there was no such clarity. Edwards said only that he wanted to spend more time with his family but his press conference left most people unconvinced. Meanwhile I’m [Motorsports writer Gordon Kirby] told that Edwards is being paid more than $15 million to sit-out this year and that he will return to action next year at the wheel of a third Penske Racing Ford. Penske runs two cars for Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano and has been planning to expand to three cars. Penske currently runs a third car for Ryan Blaney in partnership with the Wood Brothers, one of NASCAR’s longest-running teams, so RP’s team is entirely prepared to run Edwards next year.(gordonkirby.com)
UPDATE: per Motorsports writer Lewis Franck’s Twitter: “OFFICIAL Just got off the phone with a senior @Team_Penske official who said no truth to Kirby’s Carl Edwards story.”(2-13-2017)

Carl Edwards to run for US Senate from Missouri? UPDATES: From Terry Smith, a political science professor at Columbia College in Columbia, MO and a regular commentator on KBIA’s Talking Politics:
“One more unrelated thing, and remember where you heard this first. Carl Edwards, the recently-retired NASCAR driver and hometown hero, will run against [Democrat] Claire McCaskill for the Senate seat in 2018.”(KBIA)(1-25-2017)
UPDATE: Edwards didn’t exactly rule it out when reached by The Associated Press. He texted: “I believe firmly in the principles that the U.S. was founded upon. If I could help, I definitely would consider it.” Edwards also stressed that has no such plans at the moment, but also quoted Gen. Douglas MacArthur: “No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.” His retirement has baffled the NASCAR community , with few having a clear understanding on what spurred Edwards’ decision.(Associated Press)(1-25-2017)
UPDATE: A run for Congress? Not so fast for former NASCAR Cup driver Carl Edwards, the subject of speculation for an upcoming run for U.S. Senate. Helping coach his Joe Gibbs Racing replacement Daniel Suarez during a test Tuesday at Phoenix Raceway, Edwards had this to say about the news that he wouldn’t rule out a run for office: “That went out of control. The point is I don’t ever rule out anything. I don’t have any interest in politics for politics. I really do believe in American and I believe that if a person can help maintain the future opportunities for other people like the opportunities all of us have had, that’s our duty as Americans, that’s what the whole country is founded on. If that’s something down the line that fits in that I can do, that would be an endeavor that I would be real proud of. But I’m not like putting together this campaign or something. Not right now.”(ESPN.com)(1-31-2017)

Kenseth shocked by Edwards’ decision not to race: The fallout of Carl Edwards’ sudden retirement from NASCAR racing continues. During his session during Tuesday’s NASCAR Media Tour in Charlotte, Matt Kenseth discussed his now-former teammate. And yet, Kenseth still can’t believe there’ll be a different driver in the #19 Toyota in 2017. “I was as surprised as anyone else,” Kenseth said. “I knew it was bad news when – this is my fifth year here (with Joe Gibbs Racing), right? – and it was the first time we ever had a conference call with all the drivers and crew chiefs on a Sunday night, after all the football games.” Kenseth said he’s spoken to Edwards several time since the latter’s retirement announcement, but is still as baffled today as ever. “I was very, very surprised,” Kenseth said. “But the more I think about it, I wasn’t shocked … but I definitely didn’t see it coming.” The 2017 season, Kenseth’s 20th season on the NASCAR Cup circuit, could be a very pivotal year for Kenseth. First, he turns 45 on March 10. Second, he’s in the final year of his current contract with JGR (pending any extension in the future).(NBC Sports)(1-24-2017)

Suarez allowed to run the Clash: NASCAR will allow Daniel Suarez to drive the Joe Gibbs Racing #19 car in the preseason race at Daytona. Substitutions have been allowed in the past for injuries or illness because teams have already landed sponsors and built cars for the event. Carl Edwards announced last week he would not race this year, and because JGR had already prepared to run the event, NASCAR will allow Suarez – who has never participated in a Cup race – to compete in the exhibition open to 2016 pole winners, past Daytona 500 pole winners, past winners of the event and anyone who made the 2016 Chase. NASCAR VP Jim Cassidy: “We looked at the circumstances and timing around the unexpected driver change with the #19 Joe Gibbs Racing team and made the determination that we will allow a driver substitution for the Advanced Auto Parts Clash. The team was already in the advanced stages of preparing for that event, and we felt it made sense to allow that car to run.”(ESPN.com)(1-19-2017)

Edwards steps away from racing; Suarez to drive #19 Toyota: Joe Gibbs Racing announced that driver Carl Edwards has stepped away from racing in NASCAR. 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series Champion Daniel Suárez will drive the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series #19 Toyota Camry in 2017.
Edwards, 37, joined Joe Gibbs Racing prior to the 2015 season and amassed five wins, 16 top-five and 33 top-10 finishes to go with nine pole awards in his two seasons with the organization. Over his 13-year career in NASCAR’s premiere series he totaled 28 wins, 124 top-five, and 220 top-10 finishes, along with 22 pole awards. His 28 career wins ties him for 23rd all-time in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.
“This has been a very difficult decision for me, but I’m confident that it is the right one for several reasons,” said Edwards. “It would be impossible for me to thank everyone I need to, but I do want to take a moment to say I greatly appreciate the support from Coach and everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing, especially my team and teammates, my sponsors and of course my fans. I could not have a better situation in racing than the one I currently have, so stepping away from that certainly took a lot of consideration.”
Edwards was the 2005 NASCAR XFINITY Series Rookie of the Year and captured the Series Championship in 2007. He amassed 38 wins in the NASCAR XFINITY Series in his career. Edwards also won the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year honor in 2003 and totaled six career wins in the Series. “Certainly this was not something that we were expecting as we prepared for the 2017 season,” said Joe Gibbs, owner of Joe Gibbs Racing. “However, it was clear in our conversations with Carl that he had given this careful consideration and believes strongly that it is the direction he needs to go. We support him in that. We loved having him be part of our team the past two years and we will miss him, but we hope he is happy in whatever is next for his life.”
Daniel Suárez captured the NASCAR XFINITY Series Championship in 2016 in just his second full season in the Series. He is the first foreign-born driver to win a NASCAR Championship. He won three races and earned 19 top-five and 27 top-10 finishes along with three pole awards last season. “This is amazing. I really can’t believe it. It is my dream, but I did not expect it right now,” said Suárez. “I can’t wait to get started. I have a lot to learn, but I couldn’t ask for a better situation. I have the support of a great team around me. I have so many people to thank that helped get me to this point of my career, starting with my family of course, but it would be impossible for me to list everyone. I do want to thank Coach (Gibbs) and everyone at JGR for this opportunity,. and I also want to thank ARRIS, STANLEY, Subway, Interstate Batteries and Toyota for their support. I can’t wait for Daytona.” Suárez will make his first-career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series start in the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 26, 2017.
“We are thrilled for Daniel,” said Gibbs. “Once we learned that Carl would not return next season, Daniel was really the obvious choice to take the wheel of this newly redesigned 2018 Camry. He is a great fit for our team and our partners. He has worked extremely hard and proven to be a quick learner. He will have a great team around him and he will have great teammates to lean on. This might be a bit earlier than we anticipated, but he has earned the opportunity and we are excited for his future.”(Joe Gibbs Racing)(1-11-2017)

Statement from NASCAR Chairman & CEO Brian France on Carl Edwards: “Carl Edwards has made an indelible mark on NASCAR. His hard-charging driving style has led to memorable moments that will live forever in the history of our sport. Carl’s passion and personality will greatly be missed – as will the signature backflips that NASCAR fans have come to expect following his victories. We wish Carl nothing but the best as he enters this next phase in life.”(NASCAR)(1-11-2017)

Carl Edwards to retire immediately? UPDATE Press Conference: #19-Carl Edwards is expected to announce Wednesday that he will retire immediately from NASCAR racing, according to sources familiar with his plans. Edwards, 37, spent 13 years in the Cup Series and won 28 times in 445 starts. No immediate reason was available for why Edwards would retire. Daniel Suarez will be named the replacement for Edwards at Joe Gibbs Racing, sources said. Suarez, from Mexico, became the first foreign-born driver to win a NASCAR national series when he earned the Xfinity Series title in 2016.(ESPN)
AND: Joe Gibbs Racing is scheduled to hold two separate news conferences [Edwards retirement? Hamlin contract extension?) starting at 10:00am/et on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 from its headquarters in Huntersville, NC.(JGR)
MORE: Edwards is leaving Joe Gibbs Racing to pursue other interests outside of driving and will not compete in 2017. On Wednesday, JGR will announce at a press conference that Daniel Suarez will replace Edwards as the driver of the team’s #19 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota. Suarez is the reigning NASCAR XFINITY Series champion. Representatives of Edwards and Joe Gibbs Racing declined comment. David Wilson, president of TRD, U.S.A., also declined comment on Edwards’ departure.(FoxSports)(1-10-2017)
UPDATE: As the NASCAR world waits to hear Carl Edwards’ explanation for his sudden retirement, one reason can be ruled out. Edwards is not leaving for a TV job at Fox Sports or NBC Sports. “We were as surprised as anyone to hear the news about Carl Edwards’ expected retirement, and we will be following the story alongside everyone else,” said John Entz, president of Fox Sports Production and an executive producer, in a statement to USA TODAY Sports. “Fox Sports has really enjoyed having Carl in the booth and on our air in various capacities over the years, but speculation that he may be climbing out of the car to join the Fox NASCAR broadcast team is unfounded. Our team is set for the near future and we wish Carl well in whatever he chooses to do next.” A spokeswoman for NBC Sports told USA TODAY Sports that Edwards was not joining that network, either.(USA Today)
PRESS CONFERENCE: JGR will hold two separate news conferences starting at 10am/et on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017, from its headquarters in Huntersville, NC.
Both press conferences will be live-streamed on NASCAR.com also via radio at Motor Racing Network the MRN App and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio.(1-11-2017)