Carl Edwards, the 2016 NASCAR retiree and newly inducted Hall of Famer, is stepping back into the racing world, but this time as a broadcaster. Partnering with fellow Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr., Edwards will join Prime Video’s inaugural NASCAR Cup Series coverage team for five exclusive races starting May 25. The move marks a major shift for Edwards, who has largely avoided the spotlight since his abrupt retirement nearly a decade ago.
Edwards returns just weeks after his Hall of Fame induction, signaling a new chapter for the 28-time Cup Series winner. His role as a pre- and post-race studio analyst will place him alongside Earnhardt, who played a key role in convincing him to take the job.
Carl Edwards Embraces Broadcast Role Alongside Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Edwards’ decision to join Prime Video followed months of deliberation. The turning point came during a face-to-face meeting with Prime Video executives that included jiu-jitsu practice and a homemade meal at his Missouri home.
“I threw this out there and thought, ‘This is crazy,’” Edwards said. “They actually showed up, put on the gi, we had a great class, and (his wife) cooked us a great meal. And afterward, I was like, ‘These are my people.’”
But it was Earnhardt’s encouragement that sealed the deal.
“Dale’s involvement in this is key,” Edwards said. “He told me, ‘We’re going to support each other and build each other up.’ Hearing that, I thought, ‘This is just perfect.’”
Edwards emphasized his goal to give fans a behind-the-scenes look at drivers’ mindsets.
“I want to ask the drivers — before, after, maybe away from the track — ‘What’s going on? What is really driving you? What are your fears?’” he said. “Since I’m not competing anymore, I got nothing to hide. There are no trade secrets I don’t want to talk about.”
Prime Video’s broadcast lineup will also feature active Cup Series driver Corey LaJoie and host Danielle Trotta, with pit reporters Trevor Bayne, Kim Coon, and Marty Snider rounding out the team. The streaming platform’s flexible format, free from the time constraints of traditional TV, was another key factor in Edwards’ decision.
From Jiu-Jitsu Mat to Broadcast Booth: Edwards’ New Challenge
Despite his excitement, Edwards admits to some nerves. Balancing honest analysis with respect for competitors is one of his biggest concerns.
“It’s one of the things I’m most worried about,” he said.
“I’m hopeful that I have relationships with people in the sport where I’m able to objectively say, ‘Hey, this is what I see,’ without judgment. I hope that’s acceptable to them. I hope I can do it in a way that respects how difficult it is to be a competitor.”
The 45-year-old’s return has reignited his passion for racing.
“It’s really cool for me to be excited about racing again in this way, the way I was excited about racing 20 years ago,” Edwards said.
For fans, Edwards’ authenticity — shaped by 12 seasons and two near-championships — promises fresh insights. Prime Video’s coverage begins May 25 with the Coca-Cola 600, followed by races in Nashville, Michigan, Mexico City, and Pocono.
With Earnhardt as his broadcast partner, the “white whale” of NASCAR broadcasting is finally ready to dive in.