NASCAR Lost Carl Edwards In 2017–Amazon Prime Just Found Him Again
March 11, 2025
For those NASCAR fans who have spent the past eight years clutching their Carl Edwards diecasts and whispering, “Please come back,” your prayers have been answered. Well, sort of. The recently inducted NASCAR Hall of Famer is making his return to the sport—not behind the wheel, but in front of a camera.
Yes, the man who once backflipped off his car after winning, traded in his firesuit for farm boots, and then decided flying planes was a better hobby than fighting off a loose race car at 200 mph, is stepping back into the limelight. This time, he’ll be talking about racing instead of doing it, joining Amazon Prime’s NASCAR coverage as part of their pre- and post-race analysis team.
Edwards walked away from the sport in 2017 at the absolute peak of his career, leaving everyone—including his team and sponsors—scratching their heads. Rather than chasing another championship, he chose the quiet life in Columbia, Missouri, embracing his roles as a farmer, husband, and father. For years, he stayed completely off the radar, popping up only for an occasional charity event or to remind everyone he still exists. That was until 2023, when NASCAR finally dragged him out of hiding to celebrate his place on the sport’s 75 Greatest Drivers list at Darlington Raceway. He even spent a few minutes in the Fox Sports booth, and just like that, NASCAR Twitter exploded with people demanding, “Put this man on TV!”
Well, someone at Amazon Prime was paying attention.
Edwards won’t be calling races from the booth, that will be left up to Adam Alexander, Dale Earnhardt Jr, and Steve Letarte. He will, however, be bringing his sharp insights, no-nonsense attitude, and unfiltered honesty to Amazon’s pre- and post-race coverage alongside Danielle Trotta and current Cup driver Corey LaJoie. Amazon made it official on Tuesday, also announcing that Trevor Bayne, Kim Coon, and Marty Snider will be handling pit reporting duties.
“We’re thrilled to introduce Carl, Trevor, Kim, and Marty to our NASCAR on Prime Video team,” said Alex Strand, Sr. coordinating producer at Prime Video. “Carl’s Hall-of-Fame career, combined with the extensive experience of Trevor, Kim, and Marty, bring an unparalleled authenticity to our coverage. Their deep knowledge and genuine passion will resonate with fans and elevate the NASCAR viewing experience. We look forward to showcasing our entire announce team when we debut in just a few short months.”
This season marks a bold new experiment for NASCAR. Instead of flipping on the TV, fans will now have to rely on streaming services to watch races as Amazon Prime enters the NASCAR broadcasting world in May, taking the wheel for five consecutive Cup Series races to wrap up the first half of the season starting with the Coke 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Prime Video has already exclusively carried practice and qualifying and, with the exception of the All-Star Race, will continue to do so until their tenure ends after the race at Pocono in June. So far, at least, the villagers have not tried to storm the castle with flaming torches in protest.
But come May the only way fans not actually at the track will be able to see five NASCAR Cup series races will be through the power of the internet. A brave new world almost unimaginable a few short years ago. At least there will be some familiar faces, including the guy known to most as “Cousin Carl.”
While Edwards may never strap into a Cup car again—at least, not officially—fans can take comfort in knowing they’ll be seeing a lot more of his familiar grin. And who knows? Maybe one of those pre-race segments will end with a surprise backflip. It’s Carl Edwards, after all. Anything is possible.
Search
RECENT PRESS RELEASES
Related Post
