An emotion-charged post-race interview by Carl Edwards has resurfaced following his recent appearance on the “Dale Jr. Download” podcast. Reflecting on his NASCAR career during the podcast has reignited discussions about Edwards’ sudden departure from the sport.
In 2016, Edwards was on his way to winning the Cup Series title at Homestead-Miami Speedway when NASCAR threw a caution after a brake rotor detached from Dylan Lupton’s Ford Fusion. The restart led to Edwards’ crash, crushing his dream of winning the Cup Series championship. Just two months later, he retired from the sport.
Carl Edwards Opens Up on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Podcast
Following his candid interview with Earnhardt, an older video of Edwards has resurfaced. A fan posted a clip on X showing Edwards making a heartfelt statement at Daytona International Speedway earlier that year.
The post was captioned: “Edwards practically admitted that he retired because he didn’t want to waste another season chasing a championship just to have it come down to a 5 to go restart. The clip below about his thoughts on predetermined cautions should tell you what he thinks about NASCAR’s gimmicks.”
Edwards practically admitted that he retired because he didn't want to waste another season chasing a championship just to have it come down to a 5 to go restart.
The clip below about his thoughts on predetermined cautions should tell you what he thinks about NASCAR's gimmicks. https://t.co/2Z4BuSutA8 pic.twitter.com/NBgLcVMgpd
— Clabel (@Clabel_) March 13, 2025
In the video, Edwards is heard saying:
“Is it everyone in this room, is it your understanding that when they throw the green flag, right, that the only reason another flag is going to come out, like a yellow one or a red one before that checkered flag comes out, is that there is a condition on the racetrack that is unsafe to continue the race? Is that what everybody understands? If we start getting away from that, we say, ‘Okay, halfway through the race, we are going to throw a caution, go bring the line back up.’ Well, now it’s two races where the first race does not even matter. Now you just got a short race.”
He added:
“It’s my opinion, my humble opinion—not saying if it’s right or wrong, just saying it’s my opinion—that that takes something away from the sport.”
The video has reignited debate over Edwards’ sudden retirement, especially given how it followed a controversial race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. That night, Edwards lost a potential championship due to a late restart after a caution was thrown. Although Edwards chose to take the high road at the time, many fans believe that moment was the real reason he walked away from NASCAR.
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.