Carl Edwards will be stepping down as the driver of the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Camry, allowing reigning NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Daniel Suarez to step up and into the car for 2017.
Carl Edwards to announce retirement on Wednesday after 13 years in Cup Series.
According to a report from FoxSports.com multiple sources have stated Carl will be looking to pursue other interests outside of racing. Joe Gibbs Racing has scheduled a press conference for Wednesday. The team will then announce that 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion Daniel Suarez will come up to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series to replace Edwards.
Edwards, 37, bursted onto the NASCAR scene in 2004 when he joined Roush Fenway Racing and replaced Jeff Burton in the No. 99 Ford. Edwards was with Jack Roush until 2015, when he joined Joe Gibbs Racing to race in the No. 19 Toyota Camry.
Carl Edwards celebrates his first career win in the 2005 spring race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Edwards has 28 wins, 22 poles, 124 top fives and 220 top tens in a total of 445 career starts.
Two people who had knowledge of the situation told the Associated Press that right before Christmas, Edwards had informed team owner Joe Gibbs that he no longer wanted to compete.Edwards sent a text to the AP saying, "All good" and "I'm kinda hungry. Going to Subway!"
