Edwards to announce retirement from NASCAR

I don’t like how it feels to take the hits that we take. “It’s something that you dream about”.

Suarez had been scheduled to compete full-time once again in the XFINITY Series this season, but will move up to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

He said he has no plans to return to racing, but if he does, the first person he’ll contact is Joe Gibbs.

The point for the decision behind Wednesday’s announcement was anything but clear. “Daniel was the obvious choice”.

His ascension in the Cup ranks – first driving for Jack Roush and then Gibbs – included 28 wins highlighted by an wonderful nine-win 2008 season when he finished runner-up in the championship. Dave Rogers, who almost led Edwards to the Cup title last season, will be Suarez’s crew chief.

In today’s era where there’s great concern about the effects of concussions, he said, “I’m a sharp guy, and I want to be a sharp guy in 30 years”.

That’s the hope with Edwards’ replacement, 25-year-old Daniel Suarez. His retirement isn’t on the level of Jeff Gordon or Tony Stewart, but Edwards is another recognizable name in a sport that seems to be losing more and more. We were always looking for a sponsor and money. “I have a feeling I’ll find something”.

“I know when I sit in that race vehicle that I am the best race auto driver I can be”. “There is no better race team”. Suarez scored three wins in his second full season in the series.

Drivers such as Bobby Allison, Cale Yarborough, Richard Petty and David Pearson had to race to put food on the table and most of their career earnings wouldn’t even match what most drivers now earn in a single season. He was also chosen for NASCAR Next, which helps prepare selected young drivers for a career in the sport. The Associated Press reports that Edwards made the decision to retire a month after the final Sprint Cup race of 2016, where he came within inches of winning the championship.

“This is an all-encompassing thing”, Edwards said.

This past year, Edwards visited the winner’s circle three times including taking the checkered flag in back-to-back starts at Bristol and Richmond.

The extremely-private driver also said that he wanted to take time to pursue other interests outside of the sport. “But that’s part of life and what we do”.

If you’re new to my Podcast, get ready for something unique. “Normally, you’re telling the athlete it’s over”.

Gibbs said Edwards’ decision was a shocker.

“This is wonderful”, Suarez said. “He’s calling me, like, five times a week”.

Suarez does not have any experience in a Cup vehicle. Among his 28 Cup wins, the biggest were victories in the 2015 Coca-Cola 600 and Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, which his team briefly renamed “Carlington Raceway” following the race.