Carl Edwards retiring--didn't see that coming

Sounds sudden, but apparently we'll find out more tomorrow.

Story here

Some say that he's coming to save us from the terrible American test driver on the Ebola track.

Carl Edwards quits. John Wes Townley is done (truck series driver). Nico quit. Seems odd the way these guys are just up and walking away. Some of the guys that should quit and give their seat to someone who deserves it keep sticking around.

The timing puts JGR in a tight spot. I suppose we will eventually hear that they pissed him off somehow but I doubt he will be the one to bring it up.

In reply to Huckleberry:

I had to be stealthy when taking this at PRI, but if you know who he's speaking with, it's a clue as to what he does next.

captdownshift wrote: In reply to Huckleberry: I had to be stealthy when taking this at PRI, but if you know who he's speaking with, it's a clue as to what he does next.

Blurry McBlurFace?

Will wrote:

captdownshift wrote: In reply to Huckleberry: I had to be stealthy when taking this at PRI, but if you know who he's speaking with, it's a clue as to what he does next.

Blurry McBlurFace?

Is he related to Hagarid?

I recognize that fuzzy green corkscrew from somewhere...is it the Grinch?

Carl's new gig:

Medicinal Marijuana

Apparently Daniel Suarez is in the car next year. I hope Carl has just had enough fun, and we don't start hearing about health issues in a month or so.

Carl, Nico, and Jeff Gordon to form an endurance road race superteam after the Daytona 24.

There is going to be a pretty big shift in Cup drivers in the next few years. Most of the top names are in their mid to late 30's, several in their 40's.

In reply to Streetwiseguy:

Which probably has the France family terrified...

captainDS - would you mind just telling us what/who you are talking about?

In reply to Streetwiseguy:

I have friends from a couple teams that have either retired or moved to working in the shop because the schedule is a non-stop grind. He's got enough money that if it isn't fun anymore why keep doing it. It is pretty closed to the start of a new season though so I also hope it's not health related.

Stefan wrote:

Will wrote:

captdownshift wrote: In reply to Huckleberry: I had to be stealthy when taking this at PRI, but if you know who he's speaking with, it's a clue as to what he does next.

Blurry McBlurFace?

Is he related to Hagarid?

They kind of look like Penn and Teller.

In reply to Wall-e:

I think having fewer races would be better for the sport, as well as the participants. TV networks would be hurt though, so that won't happen.

I had the privilege of meeting him at the JGR shop a couple years back and he struck me as an articulate, intelligent, and genuinely nice guy. Nothing fake. I hope that whatever his future holds is what he wants, and isn't retiring due to outside issues.

I know that he is a super private guy, and never talks of his family in the media at all. He also is one of the few that never moved to NC during the race season, choosing to commute from MO.

I remember an old video of him doing some racing on a kart track with spec cars with some of the world's foremost drivers at the time from all race series. I wish I could dig it up because he was perennially one of the fastest drivers on the series. He always struck me as the type of driver that was fast in whatever you strapped him into. I'd LOVE to see him in a prototype/GT-style of racing.

Will wrote:

captdownshift wrote: In reply to Huckleberry: I had to be stealthy when taking this at PRI, but if you know who he's speaking with, it's a clue as to what he does next.

Blurry McBlurFace?

The F1 jacket is throwing me off, but it looks sort of like Chip Ganassi...?

In reply to Ian F:

I'll just say that he's not leaving motorsport, will be enjoying a more relaxing schedule that allows him to do some broadcasting as well and will be making right turns as well.

I recall seeing an interview with Boris Said years ago. This was back when most NASCAR drivers were helpless on the road courses, and Boris was hired to train a bunch of these guys.

Carl Edwards was just starting out--- no one (except die-hard NASCAR fans) knew who he was at the time. I remember Boris saying "Watch out" for this Edwards kid---- "he's fast, really fast"

In reply to Joe Gearin:

Who said? Boris Said!

In more amusing news, Autoweek is already chuckling about what they wrote in their next issue...

Oops.

News conference this morning says, I've done what I need to do, and I'm still healthy. Bu-bye!

Same as I said about Nico- Good for you, Carl.

He's a smart man getting out while he's healthy and young enoughave to enjoy his kids and stuff.

I am pretty sure that he just finished a big ass house with an airstrip outside town (Columbia, MO) where me and a few other GRMers live. I know a guy and will ask if he has heard anything from Carl next time I see him.