CHARLOTTE, N.C. — No matter how long he’s gone, NASCAR feels like a family for Carl Edwards.

Edwards, who will be inducted into the sport’s Hall of Fame on Friday alongside Ricky Rudd and Ralph Moody, initially felt nervous to return to the track when the fan favorite driver was invited to NASCAR’s 75th anniversary celebration.

A 72-time national series race winner known for his celebratory back flips, Edwards is one of the most accomplished drivers of the 21st century. But he decided to step away from racing at 37 after another good shot in the championship race — before, again, falling short of the Cup Series title.

“I can’t separate my life from this sport,” Edwards, 45, recalled Thursday. “And I walked away eight years ago. I turned my back, and I walked out of the room. It was scary, and over the last eight years, I felt odd about that. But for NASCAR to welcome me back, it’s made me realize that this sport is a part of me.

“It’s who I am. It’s a part of my family. My life is shaped by this, and I think NASCAR knew that more than I did.”

One of NASCAR’s newest inductees already knows Charlotte well

Edwards earned 28 victories over 13 years in the Cup Series, including the 2015 Coca-Cola 600.

The Columbia, Mo., native got his start racing for Jack Roush. Edwards had an 11-year run driving for the team, now known as RFK Racing, before spending his final two Cup seasons at Joe Gibbs Racing.

His primary focus is being a father and husband.

As much as Edwards loves climbing into a race car, he’s understood the impact his work has had on his life. Edwards spends much more time raising his children as he’s been away from the sport in recent years — and now sees himself and his family being welcomed with open arms.

Not only was Edwards’ appearance well-received during the 75 Greatest Drivers celebration at Darlington, he’s already feeling the love in Charlotte.

Edwards went for a walk with his daughter Thursday morning, and she was impressed when they saw a picture of her father pop up on a video board in Uptown.

“I’ve been around it a lot, and I didn’t understand it completely until I watched the Wood Brothers’ 100th win at Daytona,” Edwards said. “It’s me, my son, my wife sitting there watching the end of this race. When it’s over, I’m watching Jeff Burton celebrating his son’s win. I’m sitting there with my son, Kate (Downey, his wife)‘s got tears running down her cheek. I’m welling up. Racing is awesome.

“For me to see myself in that light, as someone who people followed, cared about and enjoyed watching the journey, it’s really special.”

2025 NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremony

Dr. Dean Sicking, the inventor of the SAFER barrier, will be honored with the Landmark Award for outstanding contributions to the sport at the event that enshrines Edwards, Rudd and Moody.

The ceremony starts at 8 p.m. Friday and is set to stream live through the new NASCAR Channel on Tubi.

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