Early Retiree Carl Edwards Named to NASCAR's '75 Greatest' List

In 1998, during its 50th anniversary season, NASCAR unveiled what it considered its 50 greatest drivers. The list included most of the stars from the organization’s earliest years, many of whom eventually would find their way into the NASCAR Hall of Fame when it opened in 2010.

This spring, the sanctioning body will add 25 names to its “all-time” list as part of its 75th anniversary celebration. It is expected to name five drivers per week—most likely one per weekday—in the five weeks ending with the May 14th Goodyear 400 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.

As NASCAR celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1998, company president Bill France called that group “the men who define the competition of our sport.” He added, “Their accomplishments are the benchmark that much of our history is identified by. Honoring them in this way, at the beginning of the NASCAR 50th anniversary celebration, is one way of showing our true appreciation for them and the invaluable contribution they have given over the past 50 years. These are the drivers who made and make NASCAR fans stand on their feet and cheer. These are the drivers who are NASCAR history.”

The original “50 Greatest Drivers” were from the Modified, Xfinity Series, and Cup Series. The Craftsman Truck Series was too young to have had any “greatest drivers,” but that’s expected to change with this new group.

The newest group among the sport’s greatest drivers is being selected by a committee comprised of former drivers, team owners, industry personnel, NASCAR executives, and current and former media members. All 75—the original 50 class named 25 years ago and the new 25—will be recognized during Goodyear 400 pre-race ceremonies.

Today's Addition: Clint Edwards

One of the most popular drivers ever to drive a Cup Series car—although ever officially honored with that title—is officially among NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers. Hint: he probably nailed a backflip upon hearing the news.

Missouri native Carl Edwards has been named among the new group of 25 drivers as NASCAR recognizes its 75 Greatest Drivers during its 75th anniversary celebration. The original 50 “Greatest” named in 1998 and the new group of 25 “Greatest” will be honored during pre-race activities at the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on May 14.

Edwards, a former substitute school teacher who often distributed “ride wanted” business cards at Midwestern short tracks, won 22 poles and 28 Cup Series races, beginning with Ford owner Jack Roush at Atlanta in 2005. His final Cup victory came in 2016 at Fort Worth in a Toyota fielded by Joe Gibbs. After each victory, he briefly balanced in his car’s window opening before doing a crowd-pleasing backflip.

He never won a Cup title, but came close twice, finishing second to Jimmie Johnson in 2008 and Tony Stewart in 2011. His second runner-up finish came down to the year’s last race, at Homestead, where Stewart beat him, 1-2, to win the title on a “most victories” tiebreak. Among Edwards’ most notable victories: four each at Fort Worth and Bristol, three at Atlanta, and two each at Pocono, Michigan, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Richmond, and Homestead. He also had single victories at Darlington, Fontana, Dover, Sears Point, and in the Charlotte 600.

In addition to those 28 Cup victories and eight top-10 points seasons, Edwards won 38 Xfinity Series races at the 2007 title for Roush; he was also the series’ Most Popular Driver that year. He was second in Xfinity points four other times, losing out to Clint Bowyer, and to future Cup champions Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, and Brad Keselowski.

Making his NASCAR resume even more impressive were his six victories in just 60 starts in the Craftsman Truck Series, where he was 2003 Rookie of the Year. He was top-10 in points in his only two full Truck Series seasons of 2003-2004.

He left racing in 2016, at the relatively young age of 36, still at the top of his game. Despite employment offers from owners and frequent reports of “Carl sightings” at NASCAR races, he had shown absolutely no interest in returning to the job that once dominated his life.

NASCAR'S 50 Greatest Drivers

Selected in 1998

Davey Allison
Buck Baker
Buddy Baker
Geoff Bodine
Neil Bonnett
Red Byron
Jerry Cook
Dale Earnhardt
Ralph Earnhardt
Bill Elliott
Richie Evans
Red Farmer
Tim Flock
A.J. Foyt
Harry Gant
Jeff Gordon
Ray Hendrick
Jack Ingram
Ernie Irvan
Bobby Isaac
Dale Jarrett
Ned Jarrett
Junior Johnson
Alan Kulwicki
Terry Labonte
Fred Lorenzen
Tiny Lund
Mark Martin
Hershel McGriff
Cotton Owens
Marvin Panch
Benny Parsons
David Pearson
Lee Petty
Richard Petty
Tim Richmond
Fireball Roberts
Ricky Rudd
Marshall Teague
Herb Thomas
Curtis Turner
Rusty Wallace
Darrell Waltrip
Joe Weatherly
Bob Welborn
Rex White
Glen Wood
Cale Yarborough
LeeRoy Yarbrough

The Next 25

Selected in 2023

(To be released one per weekday by NASCAR, in no particular order.)

51, Tony Stewart

52, Kasey Kahne

53, Mike Stefanik

54, Randy Lajoie

55, Kyle Larson

56, Greg Biffle

57, Sterling Marlin

58, Ryan Newman

59, Chase Elliott

60, Carl Edwards

61, Expected to be named on April 25