Carl Edwards’ last NASCAR race was anything but a fairytale. In a recent appearance on The Dale Jr. Download podcast, Edwards accused NASCAR of blatant race manipulation, reflecting on the controversial ending to his career.
At Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2016, Edwards was one of four drivers competing for the NASCAR Cup Series championship in the season finale. After leading for 47 laps, a late caution—arguably controversial—set up a restart with 10 laps remaining. That moment proved disastrous for Edwards, who went from a likely championship win to needing medical attention.
Carl Edwards Blames NASCAR for His Lost Title
Edwards, who restarted the race on the front row, clashed with Joey Logano, who was in third place. As Edwards attempted to block Logano’s move, Logano made contact, sending Edwards hard into the inside wall. His car then spun back up the track, collecting several other drivers in the wreck. The crash ended Edwards’ race—and his championship hopes.
Jimmie Johnson went on to win the title, and just two months later, Edwards announced his retirement from NASCAR.
Carl Edwards reflects on the caution that ultimately cost him the 2016 Championship. 😔
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— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) March 12, 2025
Reflecting on the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Edwards recounted the series of events leading up to the crash:
“Danica [Patrick] and I almost wrecked in practice. We had the fastest car, and it was this crazy thing. In the middle of the race, either we had a bad pit stop towards the end, or I screwed something up. I remember pulling out, weaving behind the pace car, thinking, ‘I gave up everything I ever worked for.’ I’ll never forget Dave Rogers coming on the radio and saying, ‘We got ’em right where we want ’em.’”
Edwards then addressed the controversial caution that led to the fateful restart:
“There were so many crazy things that happened. There was something about that caution. It was like the final thing to say, ‘Damn it, you’re not supposed to win this thing. This is not supposed to happen.’ I know NASCAR was throwing those cautions to make it more exciting. That was a fact. Now I realize it was the best thing in the world for me. I was able to get the message that I did not belong in a race car. That was not what I was supposed to be doing with my life.”
Since retiring, the NASCAR Hall of Famer has transitioned into a new role as a pre- and post-race studio analyst for NASCAR on Prime Video.