Dale Podcast: Carl Edwards Talks About His Return, Reconciliation, and Why He Retired in the First Place.”
In a revealing conversation on the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Carl Edwards opened up to Dale Earnhardt Jr. about his sudden retirement after the 2016 NASCAR Cup Series season, addressing the reasons behind his decision, his perspective on the controversial late caution at Homestead, and how his mindset has evolved since stepping away from the sport.
Edwards explained that his retirement was influenced by a combination of personal reflection and the circumstances surrounding the 2016 season finale. With 15 laps to go at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Edwards held a comfortable lead until a caution was thrown due to a brake rotor from Dylan Lupton’s car—despite no contact or immediate danger on the track. On the ensuing restart, Edwards was involved in a crash with Joey Logano, allowing Jimmie Johnson to secure his seventh championship.
Following the disappointing loss, Edwards spent a week in Key West, deeply questioning whether he wanted to continue racing. During the podcast, he shared how his beliefs shifted over time, moving from an atheist mindset to one where he sees everything in life as a gift. Reflecting on that weekend, Edwards recounted a series of unusual events—his motorhome breaking down twice, issues at home, and an incident with Danica Patrick during practice—all of which felt like signs pushing him toward a different path.
Despite giving everything to the sport, Edwards believed the caution at Homestead was a clear signal that he wasn’t meant to win the championship. He acknowledged that NASCAR’s practice of throwing late-race cautions to enhance excitement played a significant role in his decision to walk away. Edwards was honest about his frustration, admitting that the unpredictable nature of race endings made him question whether dedicating another year of his life to chasing a title was worth the personal sacrifices.
He described the internal conflict he faced when considering a return in 2017, imagining himself pushing hard all year only to have the outcome decided by another late caution. Ultimately, he decided that life beyond racing—especially with a growing family—was more important than continuing to chase a championship under circumstances he couldn’t control. Edwards expressed gratitude for how things unfolded, believing his retirement allowed him to discover a greater purpose beyond the race track.
