Former NASCAR driver Carl Edwards might be regretting his retirement decision, according to insights shared by Denny Hamlin. The two drivers caught up at Pocono last weekend, where Hamlin hinted that Edwards could be second-guessing his choice to step away from the sport prematurely.
During a pre-race interview with Amazon Prime, Hamlin expressed his belief that Edwards might be missing the thrill of competition and the sustained success that drivers like Hamlin continue to enjoy in NASCAR. Despite not explicitly stating it in the interview, Hamlin’s comments shed new light on Edwards’ abrupt departure from the racing scene in 2017.
Edwards, who spent most of his career with Roush Fenway Racing before moving to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2015, came tantalizingly close to clinching the championship in his final season. With 28 wins in 445 Cup Series races and a total of 72 victories across NASCAR’s national series, Edwards left a significant mark on the sport before his unexpected exit at the age of 37.
Hamlin, who now boasts nearly 60 Cup wins and is considered the most successful driver in JGR history, didn’t hold back in praising Edwards’ natural talent behind the wheel. Despite not being particularly close during their racing days, the mutual respect between the two drivers is evident, especially with Hamlin paying tribute to Edwards earlier this year by sporting a paint scheme reminiscent of Edwards’ iconic No. 99 Office Depot Ford Fusion.
While Edwards had been mostly away from the racing scene since his retirement, his recent five-race stint as part of Amazon Prime’s NASCAR broadcast team brought him back into the spotlight. As his temporary return concluded at Pocono, Edwards expressed gratitude for the experience and the opportunity to reconnect with fans and the racing community.
Although Edwards’ on-air presence received acclaim from fans and industry figures like Richard Petty, the viewership numbers under the Prime Video banner painted a mixed picture. Despite fluctuations in viewership for different races, Prime’s ability to attract a younger audience signals a potential for growth in the long term.
As Edwards bids farewell to his broadcasting role and TNT takes over the summer broadcast slot, the speculation fueled by Hamlin’s comments adds an intriguing layer to the former driver’s legacy. Could Carl Edwards be tempted to make a comeback to the sport he once dominated? Only time will tell if this brief return reignites a competitive fire in the retired racing star.
