When Carl Edwards was a driver for Roush Fenway Racing, he was critical of NASCAR’s stage structure. Speaking about how the format does not bring anything to the sport, Edwards stated it takes “something away” instead. One of the films that recently appeared online brought Carl Edwards’ 2012 critique of NASCAR’s stage system into the spotlight. The former RFR driver was pointing out how stage format destroys racing in general in the video, which received over 1.8 million views. “Let me just lay something out here for you guys, is it everyone in this room, is it your understanding that when they throw the green flag, right?” Edwards stated. “The only explanation for why a yellow flag will emerge is a red one before that Checkered Flag comes out if there’s a condition on the race track that is unsafe to continue the race. Is that what everybody understands?
“We will all line up again if we start to stray from that and decide, “Okay, halfway through the race, we’re going to throw a caution. Now since there are two races, the first one is irrelevant. You have a shorter race now. In basketball, the term “lead” refers to a score. In basketball, that would be like stopping a quarter and then evening the score. Additionally, I get up there and acquire an advantage in racing—perhaps not on this track, but at most tracks, advantage is erased by caution. This is my modest view; I’m not stating what is right or wrong, but I do believe that it detracts from the sport,” he added
NASCAR introduced stage racing in 2017, where they decided to break races into three parts or stages. A stage or part consists of a normal green flag for the race to go, to a green and white Checkered Flag for it to stop after the designated lap count.
Only the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway includes four stages due to its 600-mile race course, despite the fact that most NASCAR races have three. Points are awarded to each stage’s top ten winners. The driver with the most points at the end of the stage is referred to as the stage winner. The second-place driver earns nine points, while the tenth-place driver scores one. In contrast to stages one or two, the victor of the third or final stage is referred to as the race winner. Carl Edwards explained his reasons for leaving NASCAR. After 13 years and 445 races, Carl Edwards announced his decision to retire from the sport. Addressing the press, disclosing his decision, the former NASCAR driver said (as quoted by Autosport):
“The explanations are really simple. I genuinely feel content with my work. Edwards remarked, “I get that you’re thinking, ‘You don’t have a title,’ but I don’t race. “I feel like I’ve done it. I know I’m at my best when I’m sitting in that race vehicle. That truly satisfies me,” Edwards remarked.
Carl Edwards then disclosed two further explanations for his retirement. He had to prioritize his health and spend time with his family. He desired to be in good health when he retired. After the 2016 season, the year before NASCAR introduced stage format, Edwards announced his retirement from the sport. In January 2017, he made his retirement official. Over the course of his 13-year career, he achieved 28 victories, 22 pole positions, and 220 Top 10s.
Despite such a brilliant track record, Carl Edwards did not win any Cup Series championship. His best finish in a season was runners-up position, twice in 2008 and 2011.
