At Pocono Raceway last weekend, Denny Hamlin spent some time with former teammate Carl Edwards and shared candid thoughts about Edwards’ retirement from NASCAR. During a pre-race interview with Amazon Prime, Hamlin suggested that Edwards might be reconsidering his decision to step away from the sport prematurely. Hamlin’s observations highlight a deeper personal reflection from a driver who left the spotlight while still highly competitive.

Edwards’ NASCAR career spanned 13 years, mostly with Roush Fenway Racing before moving to Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) in 2015, where he raced alongside Hamlin for two seasons. Although Edwards came close to winning a championship during his last full season, his sudden departure in 2017 surprised many as he was still at the peak of his abilities. Hamlin remarked during the interview:

“In my opinion, it was not said in the interview, but like I think Carl maybe misses not, you know, keep going. I think he’s having second thoughts of seeing the success that we’ve had over the long sustained period of time, not being able to keep that thing going.” —Denny Hamlin

This statement offers insight into Edwards’ possible second thoughts about leaving NASCAR at age 37. Edwards retired shortly after a near-championship season in 2016, a decision that was framed as a personal choice but shocked much of the racing community.

Carl Edwards’ NASCAR Career and Impact Compared with Hamlin’s Success

Carl Edwards achieved 28 victories in 445 Cup Series starts, accumulating a total of 72 wins across all three national NASCAR series. A 2025 NASCAR Hall of Famer, Edwards claimed the 2007 Xfinity Series championship and finished as Cup Series runner-up twice, narrowly missing the title due to tiebreakers in 2011 and again in 2016. These accomplishments demonstrate the high level of talent Edwards possessed throughout his career.

Denny Hamlin, currently driving the No. 11 car and with nearly 60 Cup wins, holds the record for the most victories by a JGR driver. Despite this, Hamlin acknowledges Edwards as the more naturally gifted driver. He explained:

“I have no doubts he would have been as successful. If not way more successful than I was. I believe he was way more talented naturally behind the wheel than I was. I know that because I got to be teammates with him. I got to see his talent in the same race car that I had.” —Denny Hamlin

Although they were not close friends during their racing careers, Hamlin’s respect for Edwards’ driving abilities remains profound. Their relationship appears to have grown in quiet camaraderie following Edwards’ retirement, underscored by Hamlin’s tribute at Darlington earlier this year when he sported a throwback paint scheme of Edwards’ No. 99 Office Depot Ford Fusion from the mid-2000s.

Carl Edwards’ Return to NASCAR Broadcasts Brings Fans Close to the Sport Again

After leaving racing in 2017 to prioritize family life, Edwards kept a low profile until earlier this year when Amazon Prime invited him to join their new NASCAR broadcast team for a five-race stint. Edwards contributed alongside Corey LaJoie and the broadcast crew, bringing fresh energy to NASCAR’s streaming coverage. Upon concluding his short-term role at Pocono, Edwards shared a message with fans expressing gratitude for the experience:

“Thanks for coming along on this ride with us. This has been a real fun five weeks. Getting to know Corey, the Amazon Prime crew. This has been really cool… This has been an adventure for me to come back to the sport to be with all of you, the fans, everyone at Prime… We’ve got a wonderful sport and it’s neat to be able to be a part of something like this.” —Carl Edwards

Edwards’ broadcast performance earned praise from fans and notable figures like Richard Petty, who called it the best coverage he had seen. However, the transition to Amazon Prime’s streaming platform showed mixed results in viewership numbers. According to data reported by Blackbook Motorsports, the ratings for the first five races were as follows:

1. Coca-Cola 600: 2.72 million viewers, down from 3.2 million on Fox in 2024
2. Nashville: 2.06 million viewers, the lowest for the event since 2021
3. Michigan: 1.77 million viewers, a 16% decrease compared to USA Network in 2024
4. Mexico City: 2.1 million viewers, a record for streaming-era NASCAR coverage
5. Pocono: 1.869 million viewers versus 2.391 million on USA Network the previous year

Despite these declines in total viewership, Amazon Prime attracted a younger average audience, with an average age of 55.8 years compared to traditional television broadcasts. This shift suggests a potential for long-term growth in NASCAR’s fanbase as it adjusts to changing media consumption habits.

What Lies Ahead for Carl Edwards and NASCAR Broadcasting

With Edwards now stepping away from broadcasting duties, the summer racing coverage will transition to TNT, likely reducing his presence in the weekly NASCAR schedule once more. However, Denny Hamlin’s speculation about Edwards possibly second-guessing his retirement introduces an intriguing narrative about a driver who could still have more to offer the sport. Edwards’ brief return to the spotlight may have rekindled his passion for racing, leaving fans to wonder if another chapter might someday unfold.