Carl Edwards is making a return to Kansas Speedway, but not in the role many might expect. Instead of competing for a top spot, the NASCAR Hall of Famer will take on the honorary role of driving the pace car during the Round of 12. It’s a fitting nod to a career that has left a significant mark on the sport, despite his departure from active racing over eight years ago.
Edwards, a former star of the NASCAR Xfinity Series and Truck Series, hasn’t raced in the Cup Series since his final appearance at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He spent his career with two major teams, debuting with Roush Racing (later Roush Fenway Racing) in 2004 at Michigan International Speedway, before spending his final two years in the Cup Series with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR). During his time in the sport, Edwards amassed an impressive 28 Cup wins, 220 top-10 finishes, and secured 22 poles, cementing his legacy as one of NASCAR’s greats.
Edwards’ achievements didn’t go unnoticed, as he was recently inducted into the 2025 NASCAR Hall of Fame, with the official ceremony scheduled for February of that year. It’s a well-deserved honor for a driver who consistently performed at the highest level throughout his career.
Just hours before the start of the Round of 12, Kansas Speedway made the exciting announcement that Edwards would be driving the pace car at the 1.5-mile oval track. Kansas Speedway President, Pat Warren, expressed his excitement about Edwards’ participation: “Carl is one of the most personable superstars in our sport’s modern history and is certainly a fan-favorite here at Kansas Speedway. We’re thrilled he can join us for what should be an electrifying race to open the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs’ Round of 12 and serve as the honorary pace car driver.”
As the honorary pace car driver, Edwards will lead the field during the warm-up laps and during caution periods, ensuring that the NextGen cars stay within the speed limit as the race unfolds. Though it’s a far cry from competing for the checkered flag, Edwards’ presence at the race will undoubtedly bring back fond memories for fans who followed his illustrious career.
Edwards’ history at Kansas Speedway is rich and storied. His first appearance at the track came in 2004, during his eighth Cup race following his debut at Michigan. Throughout his career, he competed 19 times at Kansas, including three races with Roush Racing, 12 with Roush Fenway Racing, and his final four races with JGR. Though he never managed to capture a Cup Series win at Kansas, he did secure a victory in the 2004 Truck Series at the track. In the Cup Series, his best results were two runner-up finishes, one in 2008 and the other during his final Kansas race in 2016.
Despite not taking a Cup victory at the 1.5-mile oval, Edwards delivered some strong performances, earning three podium finishes, seven top-5s, and 13 top-10s. He also led 176 laps at the track, with his most dominant performance coming in his final Kansas race, where he led 61 laps for JGR. Unfortunately, despite his consistent showings, Edwards experienced a DNF (Did Not Finish) at Kansas only once, during his first race for Roush Fenway Racing in 2007.
While Edwards never clinched a Cup Series championship, he came tantalizingly close on two occasions, finishing second in the overall standings in both 2008 and 2011. However, his dominance in the Xfinity Series was undeniable, as he captured the 2007 championship and solidified his status as one of the sport’s top drivers.
As he prepares to return to Kansas Speedway in his new role, Edwards can look back on a career filled with accomplishments and near-misses. Driving the pace car may not offer the same adrenaline rush as fighting for the win, but for fans of Carl Edwards, seeing him back at the track will certainly be a welcome sight. His legacy in NASCAR is secure, and his participation in this event adds a touch of nostalgia to an already exciting race weekend. While the 45-year-old may no longer be behind the wheel in a competitive capacity, his presence at Kansas Speedway is sure to ignite fond memories for fans who cheered him on during his remarkable racing journey.
Carl Edwards Set for a Surprise Return to Kansas Speedway in a New Role
