Latest / Kenny Wallace Media / NASCAR Vault: Carl Edwards Retirement Press Conference

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NASCAR Vault: Carl Edwards Retirement Press Conference · Kenny Wallace Media

0:00
All right. Well thanks for coming.
0:01
It appear it's it's occurred to me there must be some sort of
0:03
thing that people do on the Internet where they communicate
0:05
really quickly because everybody found out about this in a hurry
0:09
Twitter or something. Anyway so I am I'm stepping away
0:14
from I'll use this is this on. All right.
0:20
So I'm stepping away from full time driving in the Cup series
0:24
and I'm not taking any questions.
0:26
So thanks for coming just joking just joking.
0:30
I think I I owe it to you guys and and I'd like to share my
0:35
reasoning and and then allow you guys to ask some questions and
0:38
and talk about this. But before I get to my to my
0:41
reasons I'd like to just talk a little bit about my career and
0:44
things that that are important to me and and when you're done
0:49
Bob, I'll be and I want to say first of all this is about the
0:59
most scared I've ever been about something just talking about
1:02
this and and and going through this whole process.
1:05
So bear with me on that. But I've been racing for over 20
1:08
years. It's been something that I
1:10
wouldn't trade for anything. I have no regrets.
1:11
It's been a blast and I owe thanks to a lot of people, my
1:17
family, my mom, my dad and and and all the people who have
1:22
become like family through racing from Capital Speedway in
1:25
Holt Summit, Missouri, all the way to Daytona.
1:28
And you know, Mike Hilton and Lisa and and Brian France and
1:32
and you know everybody at the top of the sport.
1:36
And I've had so much fun meeting, everyone had so much
1:39
fun driving. I mean, guys, there's nothing I
1:42
love more than driving down a corner 190 miles an hour
1:44
sideways next to the best people in the world.
1:46
You know the best drivers in the world and and so yeah, my
1:49
competitors, you guys are amazing.
1:53
You can be jerks sometimes but let's be honest I can be a jerk
1:55
too. So.
1:58
But what you've done for me, my competitors, all of you is
2:00
you've pushed me and you've made the when you win one of these
2:05
races or you do well, you know that you have beaten the best
2:08
and it feels almost impossible in the process.
2:10
But then when you're done you it's the most amazing feeling
2:12
ever and that's because of how good all, all of you guys are.
2:15
And so thanks for letting me be a part of that group to all my
2:18
crew members and team members and people who built these cars
2:21
and worked on all these things and and you know Jason Hedleski,
2:24
my spotter and Randy Fuller and and Dave Rogers who's become one
2:28
of my best friends and the team owners I've driven for Mike
2:33
Mittler, Jack Roush, Coach Gibbs.
2:37
There are no better men on earth and I'm glad to have been around
2:41
them and to see how they do things and do to have been a
2:43
part of that. And without racing, I wouldn't,
2:45
wouldn't be able to do any of that.
2:49
So the fans, fans have been spectacular, Jack Roush said.
2:54
You know, we could all go do all this and race around a field and
2:57
nobody watching, but that wouldn't be any fun.
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I mean, the fans are what make this great.
3:02
My buddy, the late, great Bob Healy used to say their world's
3:05
all screwed up because all the people that are qualified to fix
3:07
it are busy messing with cars. And I think that sums it up.
3:10
There's some really great people in sport, so and the media,
3:12
thank you guys. I know when I first came in the
3:14
sport all you did was write nice things about me and I thought
3:17
that's how it was always going to be and I really appreciate it
3:19
and I thank you. But you know then we went
3:22
through some down times and now we're we're good again.
3:24
So if any of you are planning on writing bad stuff, you don't get
3:28
the free subway on the way out. So just let that be known so we
3:32
get to the reasons why why would I step away from all of that and
3:35
and the reasons are pretty straightforward and there are
3:39
three of them. Number one, I am truly, I'm
3:45
personally satisfied with my career and I know right now
3:49
you're thinking you don't have a championship.
3:53
Well, I mean Jimmy's got some extras if he wants to send one
3:56
my way, but but truly, I mean you guys know, you guys know
3:59
that I don't race just for the trophies.
4:01
This has always been a really, it's been a neat journey for me.
4:05
It's always been something that I've been rewarded by the
4:08
challenges and there's some race car drivers sitting here, Ricky,
4:12
and you know how it is. It's scary in so many ways to go
4:16
racing. I mean initially, first time I
4:18
stepped on throttle on my dad's race car, I mean I thought I was
4:21
the greatest driver ever. And I about a half second later
4:23
I pulled my foot right off and I couldn't get it to go back down.
4:27
And I thought, man, this is going to be tough.
4:29
And so you go from that to, you know, working up the courage to
4:33
get asked people to drive a car, to being put in situations where
4:36
you know if you drive well and you win, you get sponsorship and
4:40
everything works. And going through that whole
4:42
process and becoming a better person, a stronger person, a
4:45
better competitor, a better teammate, a better friend to
4:49
people, that's a big deal to me. And I feel accomplished.
4:53
And I know when I sit in that race car that that I I am the
4:57
best race car driver I can beat. And so whether or not I have a
5:00
championship that I'm really satisfied with that, that's long
5:04
winded version one. And remember I am long winded,
5:06
you guys know that. But I'm saving you like a whole
5:09
year of this stuff by doing it this way.
5:10
So second reason is it, and I'm not going to get any sympathy
5:16
from anyone in the room, but this is an all-encompassing
5:19
thing, you guys. We do this and it's full time
5:22
and not just the physical time, but I wake up in the morning
5:26
thinking about racing. I think about it all day.
5:28
I go to bed thinking about it and have dreams about racing and
5:31
that's just how it is. I've been doing that for 20
5:33
years and and I need to take that time right now and devote
5:38
it to people and things that are that are important to me, things
5:44
I'm really passionate about. And and the third reason is my
5:49
health. I can stand here healthy, and
5:52
that's a testament after all the racing I've done and all the
5:54
stupid stuff I've done, a race car.
5:56
That is a true testament to NASCAR, to the tracks, to the
6:01
people who built my race cars, to my competitors and to the
6:03
drivers who come before me who who haven't been so fortunate.
6:07
Having said that, though, it's a risky sport.
6:09
I'm aware of the risks. I don't like how it feels to
6:13
take the, you know, the hits that we take.
6:15
And, you know, I'm a sharp guy and I want to be a sharp guy in
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30 years. And so those those risks are
6:21
something that I want to minimize.
6:24
Now, if I put those three things together, that brings us to the
6:28
timing of this slight shock. I know I keep thinking about
6:33
that scene from Forrest Gump where he stops running.
6:37
Everybody's like, what? So if I put those three things
6:42
together the timing for me to do this is is now and that's where
6:47
Coach Gibbs comes in. I don't know if Coach is in
6:49
here. Hey, thank you for allowing me
6:53
to. This is a personal decision.
6:55
If I if I wanted to race next year.
6:57
I don't. I I've heard I shut my phone off
7:00
but I've heard people think I'm going somewhere else or doing
7:03
something if I'm going to get back in a race car, which, you
7:06
know, I'm not saying the R word here.
7:08
I've seen how that's worked out for guys.
7:09
But if I'm going to get back to the race car I'm calling coach
7:11
Gibbs first. There is no better race team.
7:14
There is no faster car than a Toyota Camry.
7:17
There's no better engine. There's no better crew chief
7:19
than Dave Rogers. There's no better, better crew.
7:22
And I I I'm going to race here and and so thank you when I
7:27
walked into his office and said hey coach this is this is
7:31
something that's important to me.
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Is this possible? I I've told him this, I looked
7:36
at, made sure that the check which hand the ring was on
7:39
because I thought it was coming and and instead he stuck out his
7:43
hand in a much different way. And he said, he said I admire
7:46
you for being able to make a decision like this and I'm going
7:49
to go to work for you. And that's the type of person
7:51
Joe Gibbs is, That's the type of organization this is.
7:53
I cannot thank him enough. So those are my reasons.
7:58
Satisfied with my career. I'd like to spend time on other
8:03
things outside of it and and my health is important to me and I
8:08
am healthy. Everybody texted me yesterday.
8:11
But yeah I'm I'm great and and all people close to me are
8:14
healthy. I appreciate those those
8:15
concerns but that's that's not an issue.
8:18
So do you guys have any questions at all?
8:19
Yeah. So we'll have Jessica and
8:21
Alicia's with the mics here, so. We'll bring How could you not
8:24
break this early like you've done everything else in my
8:26
career but you've been in Hawaii.
8:28
I separated my that is no excuse.
8:30
I can't put. Racing out of my mind.
8:33
Anyway, I can't. What?
8:36
What does the next chapter look like for Carl Edwards?
8:39
And in this past year you took some pretty major hits on the
8:43
racetrack. Did you have any concussions or
8:46
anything that might have put you more closer to the decision that
8:51
you've made today? OK, so the the first question I
8:54
I have a lot of interest outside of racing.
8:57
I've really enjoyed. There's a lot of aviation stuff.
9:00
A lot of the agriculture thing has been great and I I but I
9:08
love the sport and I think as much as I can, we get some
9:11
really exciting things coming up we're going to talk about later.
9:13
I'd really like to be a part of this and be close to it and
9:16
there's no telling what we could do together.
9:18
Coach Gibbs and I, going forward.
9:19
I don't have anything solid yet. I have enjoyed the broadcasting
9:22
stuff. I'd be really open to any of
9:24
that stuff. I used to think that that would
9:26
be no fun, but the more I've watched, I've watched how much
9:29
fun people are having with it and and yeah, that that could be
9:32
something that's neat. Then what was the other part of
9:34
your question? Did you submarine concussions
9:35
last? Year in the five.
9:39
Pictures. You said throughout the course
9:42
of the. So like I said I'm 100% healthy
9:44
but I am aware that there's and it's a risky sport to put on a
9:47
helmet and fire suit to go to race and I am aware of the the
9:51
the current consensus that that you know like any let me say it
9:55
this way like anybody in a contact sport I realize that
9:58
there might be long term consequences to that stuff and
10:00
that's a piece of the puzzle that's a part of the factor.
10:02
But there there are multiple parts to it.
10:07
Thank you. Are you going back to Hawaii or
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did you just did? I cut your vacation short.
10:11
I'm. Going to Chili Bowling.
10:13
All right, Sweet. I'll tell you about my vacation
10:16
plans later, but Claire B Lane, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Carl is
10:21
when did this hit you some? There's been a lot of talk
10:24
obviously that it was December 21st or something.
10:26
You don't talk a lot about your family, but people are talking
10:30
about your family being part of this and certainly you have kids
10:32
at home and A and a wife and and also any thought about running
10:36
for public office, which is something that people are
10:38
talking about you being the governor of your state down the
10:40
road. OK, so I do have which part?
10:45
I'm sorry what was the first part again Family.
10:48
OK so yeah like I said I got I mean you guys know I'm a private
10:51
person. I mean I just I am and and I I
10:53
value that I think it's important and but like I said
10:57
that that the time that this takes I I I'll say this that I
11:01
want to be able to spend time on things outside of the sport that
11:04
are important to me. And I I really I think it's the
11:07
right thing to do and it's confusing as this whole thing
11:11
might be to this might not make sense to people.
11:13
I mean that's that's the the risk you take with something
11:15
like this and I have to be honest it's it's makes you
11:19
nervous to think for me to do something like this and wonder
11:23
if everybody understands or not. But but really I'm that's part
11:27
of the what I talked about earlier about growing as a
11:29
person and the things that sport has taught me.
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Anyway I'm getting long winded but but yeah I'm I'm excited to
11:36
be able to spend time on things outside of sport.
11:38
Yeah. When did you come to this.
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So I had been thinking what I thought was you know reasonable
11:47
amount about kind of the how this would end.
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I'm always I always think about things going forward and in my
11:53
mind I had I'd considered next year being being my my final
11:58
year but I hadn't put really a lot of thought into it and after
12:02
Homestead I had some time to sit think and reflect about all this
12:06
and for those three reasons that I that I gave you I thought man
12:10
it just I can't come up with a good reason why now isn't a good
12:14
time and and so I presented that to coach.
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I know I didn't know what he would say and and like I said he
12:21
he and the sponsors I mean everyone accommodated me away I
12:27
just didn't expect and it it that means a lot OK so I do have
12:33
really strong feelings about our country and what it means what
12:37
it what America is about and the the principles that keep us keep
12:42
us free and safe from from the the biggest risks in history and
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and so I I don't know if I'm I'm not prepared right now to to
12:53
participate in any public office or anything but I am very open
12:58
to helping that cause and helping the cause of liberty and
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and freedom and and what it is that America is about.
13:06
Let's go to this side of the room over here.
13:08
Steve Richards with PRN Radio. Carl, was there a defining
13:11
moment that served as a catalyst for all this.
13:15
That's a that's a very interesting question.
13:19
Sorry. It'll be an interesting answer.
13:20
I hope you'll bear with me on it.
13:21
But there are the people close to me know that I follow my gut
13:26
and as as an analytical as I am and as as much as I wear people
13:32
out about the details Coach can attest to that I do.
13:35
I follow my gut and sometimes I just, I can just gather what's
13:41
around me and I say, look, if all signs point to this, then
13:44
that's what I need to do. That's what got me here in the
13:46
1st place, the way everybody looked at me when I announced
13:52
I'm doing this is the same way people looked at me 20 years ago
13:54
when I said hey, I'm going to drive a race car for a living
13:56
like you're crazy. I mean, I literally people
13:59
laughed at me. But that same way of thinking
14:02
applies now. I really believe it's the right
14:04
thing. It's a it's a personal thing I
14:06
feel strongly about. I'm very confident in it and and
14:09
so no, there was not one thing just as a series of those things
14:13
over time. I'm sure it's the right
14:15
direction for my life. Jenna, I can't believe you
14:20
actually wrote the subway thing. That was pretty funny.
14:22
I thought you meant you'd quote it to like other people.
14:25
I'm. I'm sorry, Carl.
14:30
You've you've repeatedly said you're walking away from full
14:33
time racing. Could there be other races?
14:38
Absolutely. I I I don't know what what I'm
14:41
doing right now and I hope you guys will accept this because I
14:44
know it's hard for I mean coach and I've had these talks I'm I
14:48
don't have any intention going back full time race.
14:51
I don't have, I don't have a plan to drive a race car right
14:53
now. But I know enough about.
14:57
I know. I just know how things work and
14:58
if it comes up and the right opportunity is there and at that
15:01
moment it's the right thing, then for sure I'd entertain it
15:04
and and but like I said, the first person I talked to is
15:07
coach. And and losing the championship.
15:10
The way you did and the the sting, the inevitable sting that
15:14
had to come. From that, might things have
15:16
been different if? You'd won the championship.
15:18
It's a good question. In a lot of ways, I think it.
15:20
I don't want to start down. I don't know.
15:25
I'll say that. I mean, who knows?
15:26
It might have made it easier. Let me tell you about Homestead,
15:32
though. I'm glad you brought that up
15:34
with 30 laps to go, like 40 laps to go, 30 laps to go, 20 laps to
15:38
go. That's what I live for.
15:43
I mean, that is it. That is racing to me.
15:45
I mean Dave and I had worked all year to be in that moment to
15:49
pass to battle with Jimmy and then to be able to pass Joey and
15:55
Kyle for the ultimate prize driving just as hard as I could
16:01
and and to be in that position and to know that day we were
16:04
getting it done. I mean that literally that's
16:06
what I live for and that that that part of Homestead for me
16:11
personally I won. I mean that's that's what it's
16:14
about And the outcome, obviously I wasn't happy with and that's
16:18
frustrating everything, but I feel I feel really good about
16:20
that. Over the years, compared to when
16:25
you came in as the enjoyment factor of racing is the fun
16:29
factor diminish for you. And did that play any part in
16:31
wanting to do something else? That's a good question.
16:33
I've always liked the adventure of things.
16:35
I really I do and when you ask about what I've got in store in
16:40
the future there are a lot of things I'd like to do.
16:44
But but yeah move to get back to your question.
16:46
I like, I like the a new challenge.
16:49
I like something that that fully, you know, takes all of my
16:53
attention and and I think anybody can tell you that a
16:57
career that's that's lasted this long in any sport, you know it,
17:02
it becomes less of a challenge and you get a little bit less of
17:06
that. But look at I've raced at least
17:09
I think almost 1000 NASCAR races.
17:11
I ran the Xfinity and the Cup Series full time for seven years
17:15
and what I said at the beginning is absolutely true.
17:18
I don't. I don't regret one bit of it.
17:23
So if I go forward, would it be as exciting and all that as it
17:29
has been? I'm not sure.
17:30
But so yeah, there's there's a, there's a part of that.
17:36
Bob Parker, CSPN During banquet week, you said I will appreciate
17:40
the championship. We win more because of it.
17:43
So how do we how do you get from that to where you are today?
17:47
I don't know who is interviewing me there, but I got to Champions
17:51
Week and I had a lot on my mind and then that I just kind of
17:55
felt it kind of took me off guard to start talking about it
17:59
again. I hadn't talked about it with
18:00
anyone. But yeah, I'm not going to say
18:04
this whole thing was easy or clean or perfect or.
18:06
I mean, this isn't the, you know, there was no epiphany
18:09
moment. This has been something I really
18:11
thought a lot about and and it wasn't easy.
18:14
So, you know, pardon me if I went back and forth a little bit
18:18
about it. Kenny Bruce with nascar.com.
18:22
Carl, you've you've talked a little bit about this.
18:25
Excuse me, you made it a point to do everything in your power
18:29
to spend time with your family from staying in Missouri, flying
18:33
back and forth. That's been an important part to
18:36
you, Will. And then you also talk about you
18:43
know how how passionate you are. When you get involved in
18:45
something, you like to go all in on it.
18:47
Are you trading one passion for something else?
18:50
And the time spent with family and other thing is, is not going
18:55
to be much different, not going to be impacted by that or do you
18:59
feel like you're going to be able to spend more time with
19:01
them? I'm sorry so you can explain
19:03
what exactly so you've. You've gone out of your way to
19:05
make sure that you're able to spend time with your family.
19:08
Racing obviously takes a lot of time away from and everything,
19:11
but if are you going to be doing other things that are still
19:15
going to impact how? Much.
19:16
Are you saying right now, am I going to go jump into, you know,
19:18
the 2020 presidential race or something crazy?
19:21
No. Hell no.
19:25
No. I I'm, I'm going to take some
19:26
time. That's one of the beauties about
19:28
this decision. I don't have a there's no life
19:32
raft I'm jumping onto. I'm just jumping and and in a
19:36
way it makes it easier because I'm not being swayed by some
19:39
carrot out here. Something going on.
19:41
There is no new manufacturer ride coming in in three years
19:45
that they're paying me a fortune for.
19:46
There is no, you know, there's nothing like that and so this is
19:50
a pure simple personal decision and and for that I'm grateful.
19:56
OK. And also recent retirements,
19:59
Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, did that have any impact?
20:02
Did you, did you look at that at all and did that kind of get the
20:05
thing started for you? I'll tell you something I I've
20:11
learned a lot from my competitors truly and I that's
20:13
one of the only things I wish I had done a little better and
20:16
hopefully I still can is spent more time with those guys and
20:19
and you know it's such a it's an interesting relationship because
20:24
we're competing against each other each other so hard but
20:26
there's so many things we can learn from one another and as
20:28
I've become closer with a lot of these guys.
20:33
You know I think there there is there is more to learn from one
20:35
another But yeah it's it's a long winded thing to say but
20:38
there was nothing really particular about any of those.
20:42
This is my decision and and it's it's something that I made on my
20:46
own and I want to say one other thing about my teammates I don't
20:50
know if Denny's up yet so you might not see this but they're
20:55
awesome guys my teammates are amazing I've heard people say
20:58
somebody said well wait wait can you not get along with your
21:00
teammate. Guys this place is I have the
21:03
best teammates in in the sport they're they're great.
21:07
I mean and and I have not always been the best teammate.
21:10
I have been a self-centered jerk at times.
21:12
I know that that's been pointed out to me by multiple teammates
21:15
in my but they they have made me better and I'm I'm better
21:20
because of them and so so yeah they I just want to make sure I
21:25
thank. Them, I think we had Ryan right
21:27
there, Tom. Brian Nelson with MRN So Carl,
21:32
since word broke yesterday, a lot of the folks in this room
21:36
have written a lot of flattering articles about your character
21:39
that's been displayed over the years.
21:41
And Nate had a quote that said you've always lived your life by
21:46
the Midwestern mentality. Pretty simple.
21:49
Do your job, do your work, be kind to people and your
21:51
reputation will follow. So as you look back on your
21:55
career and a lot of the things I am thinking specifically about
21:59
you going to the 22 pit box after the incident in Homestead,
22:04
you talk a lot about just wanting to do the right thing.
22:06
Are you focused on that or are you aware of yourself as a role
22:10
model and and the how you're perceived by others?
22:16
Man, I don't know. Oh, it's very flattering.
22:21
But yeah, just so yeah, I just want to.
22:34
I just want to be a good person. So.
22:48
Time. Yeah, I'm sorry.
22:55
Sorry. I guess.
22:57
Damn camera shutters are killing me there.
23:03
Yeah, the lighting's awful, though.
23:07
I'm sorry. I just just nice of you to say
23:09
and just think about the you know, I I want to it's important
23:13
to me to be to do the right thing.
23:15
And I do not always do the right thing.
23:17
And I'm, you know, just like anyone.
23:19
There are things I wish I could do over, and that's that.
23:23
OK. Hi, Carl, Tom Jensen,
23:26
foxsports.com. You referenced as your third
23:29
item, your health. How much of watching Dale
23:33
Earnhardt Junior go through a really, really long recovery
23:36
period for a very serious concussion have an impact on on
23:41
your thoughts or did it? I think everyone paid attention
23:43
to that and I'm telling you Dale Earnhardt Junior is a hell of a
23:48
guy. He's the guy that that I look up
23:51
to and we've had our differences.
23:54
But he's never shield away from telling me exactly how it feels
23:56
and he's I think everyone's support paid attention to that
24:01
and I have a lot of respect for him and whatever decision he
24:04
makes you know I I back him. I mean, I run that, get some
24:07
flag on my car because I believe people have the right to choose
24:11
what they think is best and and and yeah, I I I thought that
24:16
took a lot for him to to do that and I have a lot of admiration
24:19
for him but. But how about for new personal?
24:22
Oh, so, so yeah, I looked at that and but like anyone in in
24:28
contact sports today and like Brian Francis, this is a contact
24:31
sport. That's part of what makes it so
24:32
much fun. You have to look at the the
24:36
risks and fortunately because of all the work that people have
24:40
done, I can stand here 100% healthy and you know 15 years
24:47
ago, 20 years ago, I don't know if that that was possible, this
24:49
was. But but yeah, like I said,
24:52
that's it. That's one of the factors in my
24:54
decision. Dustin.
24:58
Dustin Long, NBC Sports. Carl, help me out.
25:01
A little confused here. You you talked earlier about
25:05
what you live for and you talk about 40 laps to go, 3 laps to
25:08
go, 20 laps to go at Homestead and this is something you've
25:10
you've you've done all your life, you've been programmed to
25:13
do this. So I think the confusion is, is
25:17
what else is there that you live for that gives you a similar
25:22
type of sensation that you are no longer going to have on the
25:27
track. I mean is it Farmer Carl?
25:29
Is it is it something what what is it about you or what?
25:32
What are you, what is it that you're looking forward to that's
25:35
going to provide that fill in that that gap to some degree?
25:39
So I hope. I hope you'll accept that that I
25:45
just. I don't really.
25:47
I don't have that all figured out yet and to me that's OK.
25:50
I'm at peace with that. I know if I lay out those three
25:53
reasons that I that I listed. If you put those together you
25:57
add them up. It adds up to this This is the
25:59
the right thing and you know not to.
26:05
I mean, life's short. You, you got to do what your gut
26:07
tells you and and I have a feeling I'll I'll find
26:11
something. And if I don't make Coach too
26:14
mad? If I don't, maybe he'll have me
26:15
back. Nate.
26:19
Nate Ryan, ABC Sports. two-part question.
26:21
Carl, kind of following up on that and I just want to clarify,
26:23
I know you said that there is no manufacturer out there that has
26:26
offered you some ungodly sum of money.
26:28
So just to put on the record, you have not had contact with
26:31
any other manufacturing of any other teams about the future?
26:35
So no, I have. I've had no, I don't this.
26:42
This is not a decision because I have something else lined up or
26:46
the desire to go line something up.
26:48
I can't tell you that while my phone's been off, I haven't got
26:50
some offers or something crazy in there.
26:52
I I I don't know. But I am not entertaining and
26:55
have not contemplated anything else like that.
26:58
Nothing. OK.
26:59
And then to follow up, what you're saying about Coach Joe
27:01
would be your first call if you decide you want to come back and
27:03
race. What do you think his response
27:05
would be to that? Because obviously I don't know
27:08
to use a a famous NASCAR team under expression.
27:11
I don't know if there's a lot of room here at the end for you
27:13
going forward. So what happens if in 18 you
27:17
decide you want to come back and you can't come back here?
27:19
Well if there's one thing I learned about Toyota is it
27:21
Toyota make sure that that what they go do they do well and you
27:27
know we we look at what Martin was able to do at Furniture Row,
27:30
Barney Vista and those guys and but you know I mean I don't want
27:34
to start down this path. I don't this is not my plan.
27:35
You know what I mean. But I I'd be open to to anything
27:40
that involved Coach Gibbs Toyota and and the people that that
27:44
that make this thing work right now.
27:46
I mean, this is this is a cool deal.
27:49
Go back to the right side of this room and we have and I'll
27:51
buy. More minutes speaking out of
27:53
turn or anything. Tyler Burnett, MRN, Last night,
27:56
Kansas said he had no idea this. Was coming down.
27:58
Did you? Yeah.
28:01
Did you talk to any of your peers or any routine mates?
28:04
And when you decided this moment, who was the first person
28:07
you wanted to call and and tell? I think Matt was the first
28:12
driver I talked to and I woke him up.
28:17
But yeah, I think it's important for me.
28:20
A number of drivers have reached out and that means a lot.
28:22
And if any of them want to talk to me about it or or anything,
28:25
I'd be glad to talk to any of them about it.
28:27
I mean, nobody in particular, but like I said, I have a ton of
28:30
respect for my competitors. And I used to truly go with the
28:36
idea that you show up at the racetrack with your own stuff
28:38
and they're your enemies and you take your money home and don't
28:40
worry about them. And I've learned it's just, it's
28:42
it's not like that you can you can go out and compete and
28:45
appreciate that competition and be respectful off the track.
28:48
And I've learned that from from my competitors.
28:49
So I I got nothing but love for those guys and girls, and if if
28:53
there's anything I can do for them, I will.
28:55
I think we have time for about 3 more guys.
28:57
Three more. Is that right?
28:59
Yeah, it's great. I don't drink a lot, but I may
29:04
start after that. Hey Carl, Doug Rice, PRN.
29:09
You've only got about three more of these to answer.
29:12
Events like this were a big part of a driver's career.
29:15
How would you characterize Carl Edwards relationship with the
29:18
people in this room, with the media over your term of your?
29:21
Career. OK, so from the beginning racing
29:27
for me was a a struggle because we didn't have money to race and
29:32
I understood the relationship between the media and the team
29:37
and the drivers for that matter and you guys deliver our sport
29:41
to people. If I'm not at the track, I will
29:44
be reading your articles and watching your shows and and
29:46
watch. I mean I'm going to I'm going to
29:48
now be you know I'm going to be living or you know being a part
29:55
of the sport through you guys. But my point is, is that without
29:57
you guys the sport doesn't get to the people and and I've
30:00
always felt that way and yeah I mean we've had I've had a lot of
30:04
you know talks with a lot of you in the room and we've been
30:06
through a lot together and and but I have a lot of respect for
30:10
you guys and and I I don't know you know I hope you guys feel
30:14
safe. Come back here, Bob and go,
30:16
Chris. I'm Carl.
30:18
When Llamas were trying to figure out why.
30:20
Why now? You know, just maybe some
30:23
speculation or some thought, well, maybe you started trying
30:25
to renegotiate your deal and an extension to stay here.
30:28
Or maybe it was the caution flag that brought out that bunched
30:32
everybody up at Homestead. Is were there any frustrations
30:36
or anything that you're like, man, this is just going to be, I
30:40
just don't want to do it anymore.
30:41
Right. So people say you're mad at
30:44
NASCAR is like, well, not any more mad than I normally am at
30:46
NASCAR. But no, I mean that's just it's.
30:49
I mean no offense my and everybody I mean but but let's
30:55
the the deal is is that let let me say this as recently as as
31:01
Vegas I sat down across the table breakfast just me and and
31:04
Brian France we had an unbelievable talk There's never
31:06
been more open communication between the drivers and NASCAR
31:09
and I can assure you this Lisa Brian Mike, Richard, Buck
31:14
everybody they want this sport to be that be the best it can be
31:17
just like all of us and and if there's anything I can do to
31:21
help him I'll be glad to do it. So that answers part of it.
31:24
I think there was another part you asked me have.
31:26
You started just did you, have you talked about any sort of
31:31
contract extension? It is before.
31:32
No, this has nothing to do with any contract negotiations or
31:34
anything like that. Yeah, this is not a money deal,
31:37
guys. I mean, I'm not.
31:38
I mean, I like getting paid. That's great.
31:42
But I didn't. I mean, I've never.
31:44
It's never been in my whole career.
31:47
I mean, I didn't. If I was looking for the sure
31:49
bet to make a living, I would not have picked racing.
31:52
That was but so so this isn't, this isn't some sort of thing to
31:56
negotiate more money. OK.
31:58
We're going to go to Chris, Jim and then finishes.
32:00
Ryan. Chrisnightcatchments.com Carl,
32:02
your fans on social media last night and yesterday were
32:06
outpouring emotional, said that they were sad and frustrated and
32:11
met and some of them were angry, but they respected you and they
32:13
understood that you made the decision to walk away.
32:16
What's your legacy with your fan base and what do you encourage
32:19
them to do moving forward? OK.
32:21
So when I started racing, there weren't a lot of fans.
32:23
I mean there weren't this many people at racetrack usually.
32:26
And and so as it got going early in my career with Jack when we
32:33
were on fire and everything was great.
32:35
And I don't know. It's just how it is.
32:36
People love you, you know? And and then I went through some
32:39
years where it wasn't so good and I'm not joking.
32:41
The fans, I realized they were a part of my team.
32:44
They're a part of what I do. I was at summer racetrack.
32:46
I was having a really bad day. I hadn't won a race for a year
32:49
and a half or something and someone came up to me with all
32:52
their 99 gear on and they said you're one of the best drivers
32:55
in the garage. Don't you get down.
32:57
I see you walking around like that.
32:58
You need to go out there and kick everybody's.
32:59
But I mean they and I thought I needed that.
33:02
I mean it meant something and so I've learned to really really
33:07
appreciate the fans and and so that's cool and I it it doesn't
33:12
mean a lot. I did get a lot of people
33:13
asking. I mean people.
33:14
I felt like people were in the last day since Tom broke this.
33:19
A lot of people were worried about my health and stuff like
33:21
that meant a lot of people are actually concerned and so that's
33:25
that's really, really cool all. Right, Jim Outer.
33:28
Then we'll finish with Ryan McGee.
33:29
Jimoutermotorsport.com Carl, there seems to be a lot of
33:33
people who just find it hard to accept that that you are in such
33:38
a good position that you could still accomplish a whole lot.
33:41
But when I first met you was when you came into the Truck
33:44
Series and you were the guy who had been walking around with his
33:48
business card just trying to get a job.
33:51
When you look from your perspective, is this more than
33:55
you ever expected? Yes.
33:58
Yeah, I don't know how to explain it.
33:59
I mean, it's literally like living a dream.
34:01
I've lived AI mean and yeah it is.
34:06
It's more than I've ever expected.
34:08
I've accomplished more than I ever dreamed of accomplishing.
34:11
I have the satisfaction that I I don't know how to express and
34:17
it's just because it's it's been such a challenge and you guys
34:20
know how that is. I mean you guys have all
34:23
everybody in this room has worked hard at something and
34:25
been nervous and insecure and but kept digging and and and
34:29
learned all those lessons and then you get you get to a point
34:32
where you're like I've done this this is great and that that is
34:36
way more than I ever expected. So, so yeah, I'm very satisfied
34:40
with that all. Right.
34:42
Last question from Ryan. Carl, we've talked about the
34:45
fans, We've talked about us, we talked about the teammates.
34:48
What's been the? Reaction at home to this?
34:51
I've had the most support ever. I am so fortunate.
34:59
I think everything truly happens for a reason.
35:02
I really, I really do. And I think that early on in my
35:06
career I used to sit. I mean, I remember sitting there
35:09
being so upset and so frustrated because it's something I wanted
35:12
so bad and it wasn't working and I struggled and just like
35:16
anybody who's working at something hard.
35:20
And now I look back on those times and I realize that those
35:22
are the times that the friendships were forged, that
35:24
the people that I could depend on were parent.
35:27
And and those people are still there for me.
35:31
And I mean literally, I don't think they care if I'm standing
35:37
on the podium with one of Jimmy's trophies or, you know,
35:42
sitting in the tractor, you know, or or anything.
35:44
I think they're they're truly my friends and their support's been
35:46
unbelievable. We appreciate it.
35:51
Yeah just just thank you guys. Thank you guys immensely all of
35:55
you. You guys have done so much for
35:57
me and who knows what the future holds.
36:00
Anybody has any ideas? I'm I'm, I'm open and I'll see
36:03
you guys around and just have a great season.
36:06
I will be watching the Daytona 500.
36:08
It's a very exciting what you guys have going on, what NASCAR
36:11
has going on. I think that the sport has a
36:13
really bright future. The the partnership with Monster
36:17
is something that's really exciting that's that's cool that
36:20
they came on board and just I hope everybody has a great year.
36:23
Thank you guys. Thanks everybody.