Analysis

NASCAR Cup

Analysis: Why is Carl Edwards walking away?

Carl Edwards' decision to step out of the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota took a lot of people by surprise, myself included.

Lee Spencer

Edited: Jan 11, 2017, 12:07 AM

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Carl Edwards, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Race winner Carl Edwards, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Carl Edwards, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Race winner Carl Edwards, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Coming off of his best season since 2011, the decision for Edwards not to compete in 2017 was first reported by FOXSports.com on Tuesday morning. While there was speculation regarding a top driver retiring in the last week, Edwards' name didn't make the short list. There was no logic to the assumption.

Not your typical racer

Edwards was a breath of fresh air when he first entered the NASCAR arena with Roush Fenway Racing in 2003.

He was different from the average racer. He got it.

Edwards was marketable — and he knew how to market himself. The story has been told repeatedly of Edwards handing out business cards to potential employers as he searched for a ride. The University of Missouri student had aspirations well beyond teaching. And even then, he had aspirations well beyond NASCAR.

His three wins as a rookie in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series put Edwards on people’s radar. His Daytona victory in the 2004 Truck season opener prompted Jack Roush to call the Columbia, Mo., native, “The future of Roush Racing.” Six months later, Roush’s prediction was realized, as Edwards replaced Jeff Burton as the driver of the No. 99 Ford.

Class act

But it was after that Daytona win that Edwards would forever endear himself to this writer. After a typical, hectic Speedweeks, I was battling the flu and was forced to leave the track and follow the race on TV. Edwards was kind enough to call me from Victory Lane to offer fresh quotes for my story. Edwards’ graciousness was not lost on me.

As he quickly evolved into one of NASCAR’s top drivers, Edwards continued to make himself accessible. It was not unusual for him to drop by after his media availability to discuss a variety of topics ranging from Mizzou football, music or politics. Although the driver has become increasingly protective of his private life after becoming a husband and father, Governor Edwards still has a nice ring to it.

Even after Edwards became successful, he still kept his grandmother’s hand-me-down sofa in his living room. His brother Kenny cut his hair. We would joke about our Midwestern frugality. It didn’t surprise me when Edwards returned to the Show Me State. The cost of living is lower than in North Carolina. And in Columbia, there’s no pressure to compete with the NASCAR set.

Why is he walking away?

No doubt, Edwards is shrewd. If he weren't set for life before his initial Roush contracts, the final deal that kept him in the No. 99 Ford for one last run before moving to JGR left no doubt.

So what could possibly compel Edwards to walk away from one of the best rides in the NASCAR garage? Wasn't finishing fourth in the final round of the Chase enough to whet his appetite for further competition in 2017?

Perhaps Edwards' priorities have changed. Perhaps risking life and limb isn’t the draw it once was particularly for an athlete as cerebral as Edwards. Or perhaps he just needs a new challenge. Whatever the reason, Edwards will likely come clean on Wednesday at 10 a.m.

For a driver who was sidelined only 14 times for crashes during the first 12 years of his Cup career, wrecking in five races last year — including in the season finale while battling for the championship – likely was not lost on Edwards. If he elects to ride off into the NASCAR sunset, I will applaud him.

But before you leave, Carl, two things: You promised to tell me "the rest of the story," and if you do decide to run for office, call me.

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