Denny Hamlin on Carl Edwards retirement gained new attention after Hamlin suggested his former teammate might be rethinking his decision to leave NASCAR when he did, following a recent reunion at Pocono Raceway. The two Joe Gibbs Racing drivers reunited as Edwards wrapped up a five-race broadcasting stint with Amazon Prime, sparking open reflection on what might have been had Edwards stayed in the sport.
Hamlin’s Honest Reflections on Edwards’ Sudden Departure
At Pocono last weekend, Denny Hamlin and Carl Edwards spent several hours together, fostering a rare candid moment between the racing veterans. During a pre-race interview with Amazon Prime, Hamlin did not hold back his view that Edwards may sometimes wonder if he quit the NASCAR grid too soon. He told Prime Video viewers:
“In my opinion, it was not said in the interview, but like I think Carl maybe misses not, you know, keep going. I think he’s having second thoughts of seeing the success that we’ve had over the long sustained period of time, not being able to keep that thing going.” (0:50 onwards) —Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
Edwards’ 2017 exit was abrupt, especially as he was only 37 and just months removed from a near-championship season. The decision, widely cited as a personal one focused on family, left a significant void in the sport, confusing many within the NASCAR garage.
The numbers highlight Edwards’ prowess: 28 wins in 445 Cup Series races, and a total of 72 victories across NASCAR’s national competitions. He was crowned 2007 Xfinity Series champion and finished as runner-up in the Cup Series on two occasions, including a title loss by tiebreaker in 2011 and a close call in 2016, his last season.
Denny Hamlin, nearing his 60th Cup win and now the winningest driver in Joe Gibbs Racing history, nonetheless heaped praise on his former teammate, stating candidly:
“I have no doubts he would have been as successful. If not way more successful than I was. I believe he was way more talented naturally behind the wheel than I was. I know that because I got to be teammates with him. I got to see his talent in the same race car that I had.” —Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
Hamlin admitted the two drivers were not particularly close during their time as teammates with Joe Gibbs Racing. However, post-retirement years and respectful tributes—such as Hamlin running a Darlington throwback paint scheme inspired by Edwards’ No. 99 Office Depot ford/”>Ford—have hinted at a growing camaraderie or mutual respect.
Edwards’ Temporary Return Brightens the Broadcast Booth
Carl Edwards’ initial departure from NASCAR was driven by a desire to prioritize his family. This same family focus arose again when Denny Hamlin missed the recent Mexico City race for the birth of his son. Edwards mostly remained distant from racing activities until returning this year, when Amazon Prime invited him to help expand their new NASCAR coverage team.
Edwards joined the Amazon broadcast booth for five races, working alongside Corey LaJoie and an energetic production crew. His temporary role came to a conclusion at Pocono, and Edwards took the opportunity to thank his colleagues and fans in a heartfelt message:
“Thanks for coming along on this ride with us. This has been a real fun five weeks. Getting to know Corey, the Amazon Prime crew. This has been really cool… This has been an adventure for me to come back to the sport to be with all of you, the fans, everyone at Prime… We’ve got a wonderful sport and it’s neat to be able to be a part of something like this.” —Carl Edwards, Former NASCAR Driver
Edwards’ efforts in the booth were met with positive responses, not just from fans but legends such as Richard Petty, who described it as the best coverage he had witnessed. However, the broadcast data reflected mixed results. Viewer numbers for Amazon’s first five races included:
- Coca-Cola 600: 2.72 million viewers, down from 3.2 million on Fox in 2024
- Nashville: 2.06 million, the lowest since 2021 for the event
- Michigan: 1.77 million, a 16% decline compared to USA Network this year
- Mexico City: 2.1 million, which set a streaming-era record
- Pocono: 1.869 million viewers compared to 2.391 million last year on USA Network
While total audience numbers dipped, Prime’s coverage managed to draw a younger demographic, lowering the average viewer age to 55.8 years and suggesting the potential for future growth if trends continue. This demographic shift could help sustain NASCAR’s appeal in the evolving media landscape, even if it temporarily comes with lower traditional TV numbers.
What Carl Edwards’ Brief Return Means for NASCAR’s Future
Now that Edwards’ broadcasting stint is over and TNT moves into the NASCAR summer schedule, Carl Edwards may once again retreat from the weekly spotlight. Still, Hamlin’s speculation that his former teammate may be experiencing some “second thoughts” adds a layer of intrigue to any possibility of Edwards reconnecting with the sport, either behind the wheel or in a new role.
For Hamlin, Edwards, and fans alike, the questions remain open—what might have happened if Edwards had stayed, and could this brief broadcast comeback reignite a longer-term connection? As the NASCAR community digests both the statistics and the emotion behind Hamlin’s remarks, the discussion about talent, timing, and unfinished business lingers, keeping both Carl Edwards and Denny Hamlin at the center of the sport’s compelling narrative.
