Okay so first off I want to apologize for not posting since November. Obviously with it being the off season it is to be expected. Whenever I post I always tell myself I'm going to do better I'm going to post more and I'm really going to try and do that. I make no promises but I want to try and make it better. It's always easier to write posts on big announcements and so here I am.
The news coming out yesterday truly shocked me. Carl Edwards in the hottest team in NASCAR nearly won the championship is not running this season. Instantly my first thoughts were it's got to be something with health and I was concerned. To learn that wasn't the case lead to some confusion. I thought there must be more then just personal interests and wanting to do something else. If that was the case why wouldn't he give his fans 1 more year. Watching the press conference today it's obvious this sport still means a ton to Carl. Watching him get emotional made me emotional because I am a fan of the sport and he was an incredible driver in the sport. He gave so much and is such a great guy and I'm going to miss that. When I first started in the sport for a short time I was a fan of Carl. I was impressed by his backflips off the car after the win and that attracted me to him. As time went by my feelings for other drivers were stronger and drew me more to support them. When he was wrecking Brad it made me question him and was he the driver I thought he was. However since that point I've come back around full circle to a point where Carl wasn't my favorite driver but I didn't hate him. He was just another one of the drivers and one that I didn't mind seeing win if none of my favorites could. I had grown to love the four drivers together at JGR and watching their carpool karaoke was proof of that bond and made me like the four even more.
Carl you will be missed in this sport. I can't even begin to imagine what it is like for your fans to get the news so suddenly that your not returning and that they never got the chance to say goodbye. I pray I never have to go through this with Denny, Kyle, Joey or Erik. I will be sad enough when they leave but if I don't get the chance to see them off that would be a tough pill to swallow. Watching Carl at the press conference although emotional at points he seems very at peace with his decision. I respect that ability of his to make such a decision and truly be at peace. That proves he did the right thing for him and his family. It's understandable that he wants time to spend with family and do other things. Denny made the comment that upset people you don't get to count down unless your in the sport. It is a grueling schedule that we as fans can never fully understand. Even if we traveled to every race it wouldn't be the same as it is for them. So I can understand the desire to slow down and spend time with family. His kids are getting older and I'm sure developing interests of their own. The part about stepping away healthy is such a big piece. I want my drivers to live healthy lives after NASCAR and so I can see with Dale's concussion and some big hits taken recently why Carl wants to step away while he is still healthy.
I am surprised and shocked by this news but as many have said and will continue to say Carl is an incredible person. He showed so much grace and poise today although he was vaguer in his answers at points it just continued to show his private nature. It's weird to know that Carl isn't going to be in the series as well as Tony Stewart. It's a turning point in my the sport the guys I grew up watching when I first started are leaving and the young guns are starting to break into the sport. Carl impressed me so much in the press conference and made me sad to see him go. I will miss him but I wish him all the best in his life and all he continues to do. I have to agree that I think we will see him around the sport. Even with this news I am excited for Daytona I respect that the drivers and all involved needed their time off but I am so ready for Daytona. I'm excited to see how Erik does this season and I will try to continue post a little bit more.
Carl I doubt you will ever see this but Carl you will be missed your an incredible class act type of guy. Watching you get emotional made me cry you are not my favorite driver but i have the utmost respect for you. I love the sport of NASCAR and you represented our sport so well during your 20 years in the sport. You had some rough moments but hearing you say you know that you were a jerk at times and you wish you could change things shows the person you are. I admit i was surprised by the announcement and thought ...there must be more and was worried about your health. This press conference helped to show me why you are leaving and it was clearly thought out and what is best for you and your family. When i started in the sport you were one of the first guys i noticed because of your backflip after a win. There will never be another celebration like that and that makes you one of a kind. You will be missed but i am glad that you get time to pursue other passions and spend time with those you love and that you can leave happy and healthy. I wish you all the best in your life and i would love to see you eventually back in the sport in television or in some way. You're a class act and you deserve to be celebrated for all you did for this sport. We will miss you best of luck in the rest of your life.
