Why Is Carl Edwards Leaving JGR Joe Gibbs Racing?

Why Is Carl Edwards Leaving JGR Joe Gibbs Racing

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Carl Edwards' decision to leave Joe Gibbs Racing and step aside from competing full-time in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series brought a little of both at Wednesday's press conference at the team's shop.

And it was his own quote, published by NBC Sports' Nate Ryan on Tuesday, that made Edwards choke up and tearfully whisper, "I just want to be a good person."

Why Is Carl Edwards Leaving JGR Joe Gibbs Racing

The quote from Ryan's story was: "For me, the Midwestern mentality is pretty simple. It's just do your job, do your work, be kind to people. Your reputation will follow. I'm really proud to be from Missouri."

It's an accurate self-description, per the lauds from NASCAR writers and broadcasters heaped upon Edwards upon his exit. Here are some of the sentiments shared in print and online.

Tom Jensen of FOX Sports initially broke the story of Edwards' imminent departure and wrote, "Whatever his next move, Edwards certainly has established an impressive body of work in NASCAR. He owes no one in the racing community anything, and his choice to step away -- whether temporarily or permanently -- that's his right. And he's exercised it. Good luck in the future, Carl. We'll miss you." [source : http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2017/1/11/carl-edwards-stellar-character-highlights-what-writers-remember-monster-energy-nascar-cup-series-joe-gibbs-racing.html ]

Why Is Carl Edwards Leaving JGR Joe Gibbs Racing

1. It was just time

TRUE. Yep, above all else, Edwards thought it was the right time to step away, even if the timing seemed strange. “I follow my gut,” said Edwards. “And sometimes I just ‑‑ I just gather what's around me, and I say, ‘Look, if all signs point to this, then that's what I need to do.’  That's what got me here in the first place.”

2. Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s concussion affected him

TRUE. I asked Edwards whether Earnhardt missing 18 races last year with a concussion entered into his decision. “I think everyone paid attention to that,” said Edwards. “… That’s one of the factors in my decision.”

3. He may run for public office

TRUE. Edwards said he isn’t ready to run for office yet, but could in the future. “I do have really strong feelings about our country and what it means, what America is about, and the principles that keep us free and safe from the biggest risks in history,” he said.  “And so I don't know if I'm ‑‑ I'm not prepared right now to participate in any public office or anything, but I am very open to helping that cause and helping the cause of liberty and freedom and what it is that America is about.”

4. Health is an issue

TRUE. Edwards has no health problems right now, but he cited the impact of crashes as something that factored into his decision. “I don't like how it feels to take the hits that we take, and I'm a sharp guy, and I want to be a sharp guy in 30 years,” said Edwards.

5. The sponsor wanted him gone

FALSE. Some on the Internet suggested this was a move by sponsor Arris to replace Edwards with Daniel Suarez. Wrong. “He (Edwards) has been a tireless advocate for our brand,” said Ron Coppock, executive vice president, global marketing and customer operations of Arris . “He has created fans worldwide that have become Arris fans. And most importantly, the person he is. He's a sportsman. He's a gentleman. He's a fierce competitor.” And those in the NASCAR community know Edwards is one of the best there is with sponsors.

6. Burnout figured into it

TRUE. After nearly 13 full seasons of Cup racing, the total dedication it takes to succeed clearly sapped some enthusiasm from Edwards, which is hardly surprising.  

“I've raced at least, I think, almost 1,000 NASCAR races,” he said. “I ran the XFINITY and the Cup Series full‑time for seven years, and … I don't regret one bit of it.  If I go forward, would it be as exciting and all that as it has been?  I'm not sure.  So yeah, there's a part of that.”

7. He's looking to change teams

FALSE. Edwards is not going back to Ford or courting offers from other teams to drive in 2018.  He’s stepping away. “There is no new manufacturer ride coming in in three years that they're paying me a fortune for,” said Edwards.  “There is nothing like that.  This is a pure, simple, personal decision.”

8. Family was a factor

TRUE. Of course family was a factor — a huge one. When you race 38 times a year and have all sorts of sponsor, media and fan appearances, it pulls you away from home an awful lot.  “I'll say this:  That I want to be able to spend time on things outside of the sport that are important to me,” he said.  “And I really think it's the right thing to do.” That starts with family.”

9. The timing was odd

TRUE. The timing was utterly bizarre — drivers simply don’t quit right before the start of the season, but Edwards has always been his own man and does things on his own terms. “Slight shock, I know,” he said.  “I keep thinking about that scene from ‘Forrest Gump’ where he stops running.  Everybody is like, ‘What?’”

10. Edwards is retiring

FALSE. Edwards specifically said he wouldn’t use the “R” word for retirement. He’s just not racing in 2017. “I just know how things work, and if it comes up and the right opportunity is there and at that moment, it's the right thing, then for sure I'd entertain it,” Edwards said.  “But … the first person I'd talk to is Coach (Joe Gibbs).” [source : http://www.foxsports.com/nascar/gallery/10-keys-to-carl-edwards-leaving-joe-gibbs-racing-truth-lies-011117 ]