Carl Edwards took a big leap of faith at the end of last season. The 35-year-old Columbia Missouri native decided to leave the only team he has raced for since coming into NASCAR in 2004, Roush-Fenway Racing. Edwards signed with Joe Gibbs Racing and will debut with the organization and a new team they created at this year’s season opening Daytona 500.
Monday in Charlotte North Carolina, the home for the majority of NASCAR teams and site of the 2015 NASCAR Media Tour, Edwards spoke about the new chapter in his life. The long time Ford racer will be behind the wheel of a Toyota and for the first time in 11 seasons and will take the green flag with a new team on February 22nd. Edwards said it’s an exciting time.
“The reason I’m so excited every year to start racing is because when I began racing — like most racers, you don’t even know if you’re going to be able to race that year,” he said. “It’s still really nice for me to go into the winter and know that we’ve got the Daytona 500 coming up and I’m going to be a part of it. This year is a little bit different. It reminds me of my first year full time in the Cup Series. I feel like I’ve really got to prove myself. I feel a little anxious, a little nervous about it and that’s nice. I haven’t had that feeling for a long time and it’s a motivator. I’d say I’m as focused as I’ve ever been and I am as excited as I’ve ever been. This is a neat opportunity for me.” MORE>>>
Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.
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