Looks like Nascar fans will not be seeing any more winning back-flips from Carl Edwards as he announced that he has no plans of racing again, putting an end to his last year deal with Joe Gibbs Racing.
According to Fox Sports, 37-year-old Edwards stated the ongoing struggle of Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s concussions was one of the factors that led him to his decision. He also took a hard crash into the wall in his last race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. After going back and forth, he decided that he wanted to leave in good health without the long-term effects that NASCAR race car driving could possibly impose on the body and/or mind.
Edwards to enjoy life
Bottom line, Edwards has been a winner since his debut in 2004, winning 28 back-flipping races. He landed himself on the top 10 list 220 times, top five list 124 times, and has been a pole-sitter 22 times and more than once, has been a championship contender. His achievements are numerous, running 445 races in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, 245 races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and 60 races in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
"It has been a neat journey," he said. The journey was good for his fans too. Edwards will now have time to enjoy his family and farm. He might join the NASCAR broadcasting team in the future.
Joe Gibb signs on new promise driver
As Joe Gibbs Racing closes its chapter on Edwards, it opens a new chapter for 17-year-old driver Riley Herbst, whom it has signed as its 2017 driver in the ARCA Racing Series.
Herbst displays great potential as an up-and-coming NASCAR driver. Last season, as a stock-car driver with Bill McAnally Racing in the K&N Pro Series, he racked up seven top five spots, along with 13 top 10s in 17 starts. Joe Gibbs Racing plans to start Hebst on a full schedule in April 2017 when he is 18.
He will make his debut driving the No. 18 Toyota in the ARCA race at Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville. Till that time, his transition from desert to pavement will consist of training and learning on how to compete on the oval track.
