In a stunning announcement, Joe Gibbs Racing has announced that their star driver, Carl Edwards, will be retiring from NASCAR to pursue interests outside of racing. This comes as a huge shock to racing fans everywhere as Edwards has been one of the most celebrated new drivers in recent memory. Breaking into NASCAR in 2004, Edwards took the place of Jeff Burton in the No. 99 Roush Fenway Racing Ford. The Missouri native drove for Roush until 2015 when he switched to Joe Gibbs Racing.
In a short, but amazing racing career, Edwards has won 28 times, been in the top five 124 times, and had 224 top ten's in 445 starts. Many consider Carl Edwards to be one of the best drivers of his generation to tie in points for a NASCAR Cup Series championship (2011) with eventual winner Tony Stewart. Unlike his colleagues, Edwards has been very private about his personal life and is relatively inactive on social media. News hasn't been announced yet as to the reason for Edwards departure, but will be released during an early January press conference.
Daniel Suarez will be replacing Edwards as the driver on the JGR team for the Monster Energy Cup Series. While Suarez is the reigning champion of the NASCAR XFINITY Series, he still has big shoes to fill with the move to JGR. From Mexico, Suarez is the first foreign-born driver to win any NASCAR national series (2016).
Though Edwards' departure is news to racing fans, reports say that Edwards informed team owner Joe Gibbs of his plans just before the Christmas holiday. Adding a little humor to the situation was Edward' text to The Associated Press saying "All good, I'm kinda hungry. Going to Subway!" a nod to his longtime sponsor Subway Sandwiches.
There's now news yet how JGR will be approaching Edwards regarding the year left on his contract, but so far it seems the two are parting on good terms.
