Carl Edwards Returns To NASCAR…sort of

What’s Happening?

It’s that time of the year again: time for the Darlington Throwback Weekend! With beautiful old school paint schemes looking to tear up the Lady in Black next weekend, many of NASCAR’s legends will reemerge from wherever they’ve gone to join in on the festivities. Including…Carl Edwards? That’s right! Cousin Carl Edwards will return to NASCAR for the first time in over six years…just not behind the wheel but in the FOX booth. Heck, we’ll take it!

You Need To Know:

• Carl Edwards ran his last NASCAR race at Homestead in 2016 as he competed for the Cup Series title. The race would not end in his favor, however. Due to a bad block pulled by the man formally known as Concrete Carl while leading the race, Edwards tangled with Joey Logano and crashed hard into the inside wall, ending his championship chances. He would retire from driving abruptly shortly after the New Years, 2017.
• Since his retirement, Carl Edwards sightings around racing have been sparse, with him only showing up during select private test sessions. However, he has resurfaced lately, namely the year that he was nominated for the NASCAR Hall-of-Fame (he did not get voted in) and more recently as he was named one of the 75 greatest drivers in NASCAR’s 75-year history. Perhaps that played a role in his eventual return to the sport he left over a half of a decade ago.
• With Project 91 and many other drivers of other disciplines getting opportunities to race in NASCAR these days for select one-offs, many NASCAR fans have been screaming online for Carl Edwards to make his long awaited return with many fans speculating that he was the mystery candidate set to drive 23XI’s No. 67 car in the Daytona 500. While he’s not returning at a driving roll, NASCAR fans online are doing backflips of excitement over the news that Carl Edwards will be back at a NASCAR track during an active race weekend for the first time in ages.

The Main Character

Carl Edwards was named on of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers earlier this month. While he did take a short time to acknowledge this honor, there was no word on if he would ever make a return to the sport and at what capacity. While it isn’t ideal, maybe his induction into this 75th anniversary list played a small role in his return.

Around The Garage

ARCA driver, Robbie Power, took to Twitter to respond to our very own Black Flags Matter host, Darian Gilliam. Unfortunately, he’s more excited about the Petty’s than good ole Cousin Carl.

In The Stands

Joe Annunziata broke down with excitement when he heard the news! Tears are a’flowin’!

Trey Meaders is, rather appropriately, backflipping with pure joy.

This Kyle Busch fan has prayed for times like today.

Chelsea Hughes hopes to meet Concrete Carl at Darlington!

Jason asks the very good question: just how many rocks did they have to overturn and barns did they have to search until Cousin Carl was discovered?

GingerMullet is beside himself at Carl’s epic return!

Joe doesn’t want to be too trusting of his “lying eyes and ears.”

On Your Screen

Daily Downforce partner and friend, Eric Estepp from Out of the Groove is ready for Carl’s epic return to NASCAR!

So is Darian Gilliam, host of Black Flags Matter on YouTube.

From The Pressbox

Nascarcasm can’t believe his FOX Sports graphics!

Senior Media Manager for NASCAR says that Carlington Raceway is back!

Kaitlyn Vincie is equally as excited for Concrete Carl to be back in the NASCAR fold.

What do you think, NASCAR fans? Can you believe that Cousin Carl is back or is it still too good to be true? Let us know and we’ll keep you posted on all of NASCAR’s developing stories.