[h=2]Edwards appears at Phoenix test[/h] Tuesday, 31 January 2017


RACER Staff / Image by LAT

Recently-retired Carl Edwards rejoined his former Joe Gibbs Racing team at Tuesday's Phoenix test to help his replacement, Daniel Suarez, settle in for his first drive in a Cup Series Camry.


"I felt like this track in particular I could help him with a little bit," Edwards, a two-time Phoenix winner, told NASCAR.com. "I really like this place. It's one of my favorite tracks. So this is a perfect place for me to come and try to give some advice. It's so much different standing on the truck watching the car go than being in the car. I guess you just have more time to think about all the things that could go wrong sitting up there. It's more stressful to me."


"It feels a little strange. The first couple of minutes of being around felt a little funny, but it's been fine, it's been pretty neat."
The 37-year-old (pictured during his final race at Homestead in November) walked away from the sport at the end of last year, prompting the team to elevate XFINITY Series champion Suarez to the top tier to take over the No.19 entry. Edwards said that his current intentions don't extend much beyond spending more time with his family, although he did not rule out working with JGR or Toyota Racing Development in the future.


"Maybe those things will happen," he said. "Right now just getting used to a new normal, just something a little different."
He also downplayed rumors that he is eyeing a move into politics; at least in the short-term.
"That whole thing blew up with the political thing quickly ... that went out of control," he said.
"The point is I don't ever rule out anything. I don't have any interest in politics for politics. I really do believe in America and I believe that if a person can help maintain the future opportunities for other people, like the opportunities that all of us have had, that's our duty as Americans.


"If that's something down the line that fits in, that I can do, that would be an endeavor that I would be real proud of. But I'm not putting together this campaign or something. Not right now."
Edwards earned 28 wins and 223 top 10s during his 13 years at NASCAR's top level, finishing runner-up in the championship twice (2008 and 2011).