Edwards vs. Logano: Carl Edwards may not have partied after his last NASCAR Cup Series race in 2016. Still, it left an indelible impression on NASCAR.
Four NASCAR Cup Series drivers competed, including Edwards. His 47-lap lead in the final 2016 race at Homestead-Miami Speedway was impressive. Edwards appeared to win the title until a contentious late flag forced a restart with ten laps left.
On the front row and holding the position of the highest-running championship contender, Edwards attempted to block Joey Logano’s move to the inside on the restart. Logano, who had restarted in third place, made a bold move, resulting in contact that sent Edwards spinning into the inside wall. Multiple drivers caught up in the chaos as Edwards’ car returned onto the track.
Acknowledging the incident, Edwards commented on his aggressive approach, stating, “I just pushed the issue as hard as I could because I figured that was the race there. Joey timed it perfectly. … I just thought I’d have a little more time.” Ultimately, Jimmie Johnson won the championship that day, and Edwards retired from NASCAR less than two months later.
For Edwards, those final laps at Homestead held a special significance, as he revealed at the time of his retirement announcement: “Forty laps to go, 30 laps to go, 20 laps to go, that’s what I live for. I mean, that is it. That is racing to me. … To be in that position and to know that day we were getting it done, literally that’s what I live for. And that part of Homestead, for me, personally, I won. That’s what it’s about.”
Although some speculated that the late caution might have influenced his decision to retire or that he was frustrated with the NASCAR playoffs’ unpredictability, Edwards clarified, “People say you’re mad at NASCAR… It’s like, well, not any more mad than I normally am at NASCAR.” He also emphasized that he had a good relationship with NASCAR leadership at the time.
One poignant moment from that race was when Edwards, despite the crash, walked up to Joey Logano’s pit box to shake the hand of Logano’s crew chief, exemplifying Edwards’ character. Logano praised Edwards, saying, “It shows who Carl is, right? He’s a tough competitor, as he should be. But I think he also saw things in a fair way. He knew what we were racing for that day… He knew he threw a big block. I didn’t lift, and we ended up wrecking. You could place blame on that one and both of us, probably, but really you can blame the most on just what it is it’s the championship, and I wasn’t going to lift for that. I think the fact that he was able to process all that so quickly and walk up to my pit box and do a pretty stand-up thing, it was pretty cool.” This act highlighted the sportsmanship and mutual respect that can exist among fierce competitors in NASCAR.
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Our Reader’s Queries
Why did Carl Edwards quit driving?
Although Edwards was back in the thrilling atmosphere of the racetrack, he remained cautious about reigniting his career. He emphasized the dangers of racing, stating that it involves a significant amount of risk. Edwards believes that if he is not fully committed to the sport, it would not be wise for him to participate just for fun.
How did Carl Edwards lose the championship?
During the last race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Edwards’ championship dreams were dashed when Logano, his rival, hooked him on a restart with only ten laps left. As a result, Jimmie Johnson won the Cup Series championship for the seventh time in his career. Unfortunately, this race would also mark Edwards’ final Cup Series appearance.
Did Carl Edwards win a championship?
Carl Edwards secured his one national series title during his NASCAR career in 2007. He emerged victorious in the championship, which is now recognized as the Xfinity Series.
Who was the driver that flipped in NASCAR?
Ryan Preece’s dramatic flipping wreck at Daytona International Speedway has left drivers worried about his safety. However, they were relieved to see him emerge from the crash unharmed. Despite the terrifying incident, Preece managed to escape under his own power.
