James: Carl Edwards surprises again with retirement move
Carl Edwards, you iconoclast. You extremely interesting, intensely private man. You apparently are ready to add another element to the saga that was your laureled and on-the-cusp-of-great NASCAR career.
And you apparently are ready to do that by ending your NASCAR career — at least for now.
Joe Gibbs Racing isn’t commenting, but has called two press conferences for Wednesday, perfect for a retirement announcement and promotion of in-house product and Xfinity Series champion Daniel Suarez to the No. 19 Toyota Edwards used to finish fourth in the final Cup series standings in 2016.
On the face of it, this is truly stunning.
MORE NASCAR:
Carl Edwards set to retire from NASCAR
Carl Edwards tries to move past Homestead heartbreak
NASCAR's Carl Edwards flying high to better life
A 37-year-old former substitute teacher who passed out business cards in garages before signing with then-power Roush Fenway Racing in 2003, Edwards has won 28 races in 445 starts over 13 seasons at NASCAR’s highest level. He was second in points in 2008. And he lost the 2011 championship despite finishing second in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway because Tony Stewart won the race to claim his third and final title.
He was one of four drivers eligible to finally win that elusive crown in November but was involved in a late incident blocking Joey Logano that wrecked away his chances. In a moment and in a Chase for the Sprint Cup format that has engendered and at times celebrated the release of rage, Edwards was the model of decorum, accepting responsibility to the point of flabbergasting his peers.
If Edwards was contemplating retirement before that moment, then the moment is all the more incredible. Or he’s all the more ready for what’s next. His last chance at a Cup championship was gone. He didn’t seem to be taking farewell looks at the place before he strode off into his next chapter.
The dearth of information surrounding his decision — although there were cryptic rumors recently that an unexpected NASCAR veteran would abruptly retire before the season begins next month — has left an industry concentrated in Charlotte and generally versed in everyone's business scuffling for clues. After all, exiting a job with NASCAR’s most successful team the past two years, at the peak of his talents, remains highly unusual in a sport where drivers, like boxers, often linger a bit long seeking the fairytale finish.
Edwards has seemed pained to venture too far into private details in the past, to extend himself too far for risk of damage whether lobbying for competitive changes or some other issue. But it will certainly be interesting to hear his reasoning this time.
Follow James on Twitter @brantjames
