Carl Edwards has transitioned from driver to broadcaster as he takes on media responsibilities at the Charlotte Motor Speedway for the upcoming Coca-Cola 600. The former NASCAR star, now part of Amazon Prime Video’s team for five races this season, recently conducted an Austin Dillon interview with Carl Edwards at Charlotte, highlighting his new role ahead of the prestigious event.
During the interview, Edwards spoke with Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Dillon about his preparations for the demanding 600-mile race. Known for its physical and mental challenges, the Coca-Cola 600 will be the 13th Cup Series race of the year and is scheduled for May 25 at 6:00 PM ET.
Insights from Austin Dillon on Preparing for a Grueling Race
In response to Edwards’ questions, Austin Dillon detailed the extensive efforts that go into race day readiness. He explained how his preparation encompasses everything from meal planning to travel logistics, all tailored to meet the demands of such an endurance event. Dillon also mentioned the importance of balancing these tasks while fulfilling sponsor and partner obligations, demonstrating the multifaceted nature of a NASCAR driver’s routine.
The driver acknowledged the unique challenges posed by the Coca-Cola 600, emphasizing its reputation as one of the most grueling contests in NASCAR due to its length and intensity. Dillon’s remarks underline the meticulous planning required to remain competitive throughout the extended race.
Edwards’ Transition to Broadcasting with Amazon Prime Video
Carl Edwards, who competed in the NASCAR Cup Series from 2004 to 2016, is now leveraging his experience as a broadcaster for Amazon Prime Video’s NASCAR coverage. His career highlights include 445 Cup races, 28 wins, 22 pole positions, and 220 top-10 finishes. In addition to his Cup Series success, Edwards is a NASCAR Hall of Famer with 38 wins in the Xfinity Series and six victories in the Truck Series.
Edwards expressed enthusiasm about sharing insights freely as a former competitor without the constraints of active racing. He said,
“The thing I’m excited about, and I feel like I can hopefully accomplish, is to get to talk a little bit about — especially since I’m not competing anymore, I got nothing to hide — there’s no trade secrets I don’t want to talk about. I want to share with the fans what might be going on inside of that helmet, inside of that car.”
—Carl Edwards, Broadcaster
He also emphasized the importance of exploring the personal side of drivers, stating,
“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? What are your hopes? What are the difficulties? What are the things that you’re so good at that maybe aren’t obvious for someone just watching the racing?’”
—Carl Edwards, Broadcaster
Prime Video’s NASCAR Broadcast Team and Edwards’ New Role
Joining Edwards on the Amazon Prime Video broadcast team are analysts Danielle Trotta, Corey LaJoie, and several other prominent figures like Dale Earnhardt Jr., Adam Alexander, Steve Letarte, Trevor Bayne, Kim Coon, and Marty Snider. Together, this group aims to bring an in-depth perspective to NASCAR fans during the next five races aired by the Jeff Bezos-owned network.
Edwards’ in-depth understanding of race dynamics and driver experience positions him as a valuable asset to the broadcast, offering viewers unique insight into the competitive and human elements of the sport.
