NASCAR Hall of Famer Carl Edwards scheduled for honorary Kansas return albeit in a different role 

Carl Edwards is set to mark his return to the Kansas Speedway but not as a competitor battling for the pinnacle spot. Rather, the NASCAR Hall of Famer will serve the honorary role of driving the pace car at the Round of 12.

Edwards is a former NASCAR driver who parted ways with the Xfinity Series and Truck Series over a decade ago. It's been eight years since his last Cup Series debacle at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.

The 45-year-old ran for two teams during his Cup Series career. He debuted with Roush Racing and later rebadged to Roush Fenway Racing in 2004 at the Michigan International Speedway. Edwards observed his final two years at the Cup level with Joe Gibbs Racing.

To date, Carl Edwards has amassed 28 Cup wins, 220 top-10s, and has netted 22 poles. His plethora of achievements secured his place in the 2025 NASCAR Hall of Famers and the official indictment is scheduled for February 2025.

Ahead of Round of 12's first slate, Kansas Speedway, a few hours ago, announced that Edwards will drive the pace car at the 1.5-mile oval.

“Carl is one of the most personable superstars in our sport’s modern history and is certainly a fan-favorite here at Kansas Speedway. We’re thrilled he can join us for what should be an electrifying race to open the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs’ Round of 12 and serve as the honorary pace car driver,” Kansas Speedway President Pat Warren said via Jayski.

The pace car leads the field during the warm-up laps before bringing it to green, and would also lead the tri-oval during caution periods to avoid the NextGen cars going over the speed limit.

A deep dive into Carl Edwards' storied NASCAR career at Kansas Speedway

Carl Edwards' first Kansas race was in 2004, marking his eighth Cup race since debuting at Michigan. The 45-year-old has competed 19 times at the tri-oval, three for Roush Racing, 12 for Roush Fenway Racing, and the final four for JGR.

Edwards triumphed once at the 1.5-mile oval in the 2004 Truck Series. Even though the NASCAR HoF couldn't clinch a Cup victory in Kansas, he stood the runner-up twice, during his fifth visit in 2008 and his last race in 2016. The former JGR driver has collected three podium spots, seven top-5s, and 13 top-10s, and has led a tally of 176 laps.

Edwards led the most laps (61) during his last battle at the Speedway for JGR. He succumbed to a DNF only once, during his first race for the rebadged Roush Fenway Racing team in 2007.

The honorary pace car driver couldn't clinch a Cup Series title but secured second place twice, in 2008 and 2011. Moreover, Carl Edwards exercised undisputed dominance in the Xfinity Series to win the 2007 title.