NASCAR: Five Takeaways From Edwards’ Press Conference

Why Did Edwards Decide To Step Away?

Carl Edwards announced his retirement Wednesday morning due to personal reasons. Edwards, 37, had been with Joe Gibbs Racing since 2015 and is in the prime of his career given the success that he has had at JGR.

Although Edwards didn’t use the “r-word” he did make it clear that he was not going to be racing in 2017 and he seemed content to have had 2016 be his curtain call.

Edwards gave three reasons for leaving,

"I’m satisfied with my career. Even without a Championship. This is a full encompassing thing. It’s full-time. I need to devote that time to other things. My health. I can stand here healthy. I’m a sharp guy and I want to be a guy in 30 years. Next: Will He Come Back? Apr 17, 2016; Bristol, TN, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards (19) races during the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports Will He Come Back? Edwards made it clear the this isn’t a retirement but that doesn’t mean that he is going to be coming back to NASCAR to race. Edwards also made it clear that this wasn’t an attempt to gain leverage with JGR for a new contract, his current deal expired at the end of the 2017 season. Edwards said flat out on Wednesday that “this isn’t about money.” As far as him ever coming back, it’s hard to say because it’s impossible to predict the future. However, at this point it seems unlikely. Edwards seemed very content with his decision to step away. That being said, Edwards did say if he did decide to come back, it’d be with Joe Gibbs Racing and there was no better team than JGR. Next: Who Will Drive The No. 19 Machine? Apr 18, 2015; Bristol, TN, USA; NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Daniel Suarez (18) prior to the Drive to Stop Diabetes 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports Who Will drive The No 19 Car? 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion Daniel Suarez will come up from the NASCAR Xfinity Series and compete full-time in the No. 19 Arris Toyota Camry in the Cup Series this season. Suarez will join Erik Jones and Ty Dillon who will also be high-profile rookies this season. The trio will join other young stars in NASCAR like Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson and Austin Dillon. Suarez, A Monterrey Mexico native, joined Joe Gibbs Racing in 2015 after coming over from Mexico. He first competed in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East in 2012, driving for Rev Racing, recording 1 win, six top-5 and nine top-ten finishes. On a team like JGR, Suarez should be more than competitive. While he might not be on the same level as Edwards, he will be racing for a team that made it to the final-four in the Chase last season. Next: Was It Health Related? Carl Edwards – Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports Was The Decision Health Related? The answer here is yes and no. Edwards pointed out that he is currently 100 percent healthy and that he is not leaving NASCAR due to an injury. Edwards noted that one of the three main reasons that he is leaving now is because of the fact that he is still healthy. Later in the press conference he was asked about Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the concussion battles that he faced in 2016. Earnhardt missed the second half of the season due to health issues. Edwards admitted that watching what Edwards went through did play a role in the decision-making process. He did not say it was a huge factor but he did allude to it impacting his decision in the end. Walking away from a sport in your prime and under your own terms is something that many athletes want but not a lot get. On Wednesday Edwards got it. Next: What Now? Jun 12, 2016; Brooklyn, MI, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards (19) looks on during driver introductions prior to the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports When Did He Decide? And What Now? Edwards said he decided around Christmas and approached Joe Gibbs about it. Edwards said once he gets a feeling in his gut, he goes with it. Edwards was asked how he wanted fans to remember and think of him and it was at this point in the presser that he broke down and began to cry. To the question Edwards responded that he simply wanted to be known as a good person, which shouldn’t be hard for anyone who has followed his career. For those wondering, Edwards will not be running for President in 2020, he made note of that during the presser. Edwards also made it known that he will listen to future offers for a full-time return and that he might take the “right” one. At the end of the day Edwards will have a spot in a broadcast booth if he wants, not saying that he does. While fans are sure to be upset today, it’s important to remember that Edwards is just like all of us in that he has to make decisions that are in his and his family’s best interest. The only difference is that he is really good a racing cars and not all of us are.I’m satisfied with my career. Even without a Championship.This is a full encompassing thing. It’s full-time. I need to devote that time to other things. My health. I can stand here healthy. I’m a sharp guy and I want to be a guy in 30 years."