So, You're Saying There's a Chance Carl?

Since just after the end of the 2016 Cup Series Finale at Homestead-Miami where he was robbed of a Cup Championship by one of NASCAR's infamous "phantom debris" cautions, for tire debris that many clamed didn't exist off the 32 car. Carl Edwards dropped off the face of the NASCAR planet.

After a 3 win season and a dominant performance during the championship race where pulling away from his closest competitor with only 15 laps to go the caution came out leading to the now infamous restart wreck between himself and Logano and the end of his great Cup career. 

Fast forward to April of 2023 and Carl was named one of NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers. NASCAR made it known to the world that all surviving 75 greatest would come together for a photo at Darlington Motor Speedway on May 14th, but, not too many believed he would show up until it was announced during the broadcast for the Kansas spring race that he would be joining the broadcast booth for Fox Sports during Stage 2 of the Goodyear 400 at Darlington. 

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So There's a Chance?

Carl was seen at the TrackHouse Racing shop prior to the weekend where he was checking out the facilities. Edwards during an interview in the Fan Zone was asked if he would return to Cup to which he replied "It's a diminishing skillset... I think I'd be pretty slow..." he also added, "I haven't raced anything and I don't have any plans to, but heck, who knows." 

​*Insert excited crowd cheers here

During his time in the booth Carl said that he really wants to get into a simulator to get a feel for the Next Gen car. "So if I ever decide to come back, I'm ready to go." 

Is this Carl left handedly giving the NASCAR world an "I'm Back" or is this Carl just talking? Well just look, he said he has checked off everything on his to do list of a normal life. He left so close to the top that he may have something to prove.

Where Would He Go?

Carl Edwards was a hell of a driver, 2x runner up for the Cup title and 28 Cup wins to his name is a pretty impressive mark to leave on the sport. But the who, what and when are not known (obviously). The "if" is a big one too. But with Carl peaking around at TrackHouse I could very easily see a potential of a Kimi Raikkonen type deal in the 91 car. You know, 2-3 races and even the potential of this year. 

Well don't get your hopes up fully. Carl seemingly had a great time in the booth with Bowyer, the pair matched up perfectly. He could come in for a broadcast gig. 

Either way, I do see Carl coming back to NASCAR. And I see it happening sooner rather than later. 

By: Tom Luttermoser