Carl Edwards

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Carl Michael Edwards Jr. is an ex-professional stock car racing driver. He used to race as an active race car driver in the NASCAR Cup Series. Edwards has not won any championship in the NASCAR Cup Series. However, he finished second twice in the Cup Series in 2008 and 2011. Edwards is a champion in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, winning the championship in 2007. He is popular in NASCAR for his famous backflip celebration from the roof of his car after winning races. He competed in the Cup Series with Roush Racing for most of his career.

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Carl Edwards is among the most successful drivers of NASCAR. Owing to his contribution to the sport, he was named among the 75 Greatest Drivers of NASCAR in 2023. Edwards is also tipped to join the NASCAR Hall of Fame as a 2025 inductee. Carl Edwards is known for losing to Tony Stewart in a tie-breaker, nearly winning the 2011 Cup Series championship.

Carl Edwards' Early Life

Carl Edwards had an incredibly normal start to his racing life. He started as an engineering student at the University of North Carolina. However, Edwards decided to quit since he wished to pursue a career in racing. He is known for working as a teacher to fund his racing goals and made his breakthrough debut in 2002 in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. His performance as a part-time driver was enough to impress Jack Roush who offered him a full-time seat at Roush Racing.

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Carl Edwards' Personal Life

Carl Edwards retired from racing in 2016. He is working on promoting his new music label. Edwards was extensively involved with the media as a racing driver. He never shied away from commercials which highlighted his energetic side. He played the role of Homeland Security Agent Jim Hill in the series “24”.

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Edwards has previously played in the Taco Bell All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game in 2009 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. He also hosted a WWE RAW match in 2010.

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Carl Edwards' Parents

Carl Edwards was born to Nancy Sterling and Carl Edwards Sr.

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Carl Edwards' Wife

Carl Edwards has been married to Katherine "Kate" Downey since 2009. She is an accomplished doctor who completed her degree in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation from the University of Missouri. She is known for working with and rehabilitating patients with severe trauma or brain injuries. She has also completed a residency program in 2007 after graduation.

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Carl Edwards' Kids

Carl Edwards and Katherine Downey have two children together - Annie and Michael Edwards. Annie was their first child, who was born in February 2010. Michael was born in May 2011.

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Carl Edwards' Net Worth

Carl Edwards has a net worth of $70 million as of September 2024, according to Celebrity Net Worth. He has earned more than $130 million in career earnings during his time in NASCAR as per Forbes and Spotrac. Carl Edwards gained wealth through several endorsement deals, his race winnings, and his record label. The driver’s primary source of income was his race winnings. Edwards has won many important races in NASCAR- the Coca-Cola 600 and the Southern 500.

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Forbes reported his annual salary in 2016 as $12.3 million. His base salary was $11 million whereas his earnings from sponsorship deals were nearly $1.3 million. He was placed sixth on the list of highest-paid drivers in NASCAR by Forbes in 2017.

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Carl Edwards Brand Ambassador

Carl Edwards has been sponsored by many brands throughout his NASCAR career. There are no official lists regarding his sponsors throughout the years. However, Edwards was known for his endorsements and adverts for Ford, Aflac, and This SportsCenter. He was a part of Ford’s “Overactive Adrenaline Disorder" commercials in 2006 wherein his backflip celebration was portrayed engagingly.

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He also featured in a series of commercials with the Aflac duck when he was sponsored by Aflac. Similarly, he endorsed Subway and Vitamin Center in the "Eat Smart, Move More" Campaign ads in 2007.

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Carl Edwards Investments

Carl Edwards started his record label Back 40 Records with his friend in Columbia, Missouri. There are no other investments that the ex-racer has revealed publicly.

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Carl Edwards' Career Stats

Carl Edwards has participated in the NASCAR Cup Series for 13 years. He has participated in 446 races in the Cup Series with a best result of second in the driver standings. Edwards started 245 races over 10 years in the NASCAR Xfinity Series winning one championship in 2007.

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Carl Edwards' NASCAR Records

Carl Edwards was the first driver to win his first NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series race on the same weekend.

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Carl Edwards Race Wins/Podium Finishes

Carl Edwards has 72 race wins combined in all NASCAR series throughout his career. He has won 28 races in the NASCAR Cup Series including the Crown Jewel races, Coca-Cola 600, and Southern 500. He has also claimed 38 victories in the Xfinity Series and registered six wins in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

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Carl Edwards finished in the top-10s in the Cup Series 220 times throughout his career and 174 times in the Xfinity Series.

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Carl Edwards Contract

Carl Edwards has raced for only two teams in his NASCAR career. He spent the 2005-2014 seasons with Roush Racing, later known as Roush Fenway Racing. He spent his last three seasons in the sport with Joe Gibbs Racing. Edwards finished the 2016 season fourth in the final driver standings.

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Carl Edwards Awards

Here are the awards and honors that have been awarded to Carl Edwards:

• 2005 NASCAR Busch Series Rookie of the Year

• 2003 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Rookie of the Year

• 2007 NASCAR Busch Series Most Popular Driver