Carl Edwards “almost got divorced” over his post-NASCAR passion

Ex-Joe Gibbs Racing driver Carl Edwards has shared his feelings about the fight he had with his wife Kate over his passion for sailing.


Carl Edwards “almost got divorced” over his post-NASCAR passion

Carld Edwards and Katherine 'Kate' Downey (Images via IMAGO and publicistpaper.com)

Ex-Joe Gibbs Racing driver Carl Edwards was one of the most talented racers of his generation, who ended his career while on his prime. Following the retirement, Edwards spent a lot of time away from the limelight with his family, doing things he enjoys and finally is set to make a return to the sport as a broadcaster.

Recently, via the Dale Jr. Download podcast of Dale Earnhardt Jr., the veteran reveals stories from his life after 2017. Carl Edwards chose sailing as way to start the new chapter of his life and with his wife, Katherine ‘Kate’ Downey, went to a sailing school. But things didn’t go as expected as on their first lunch break after a sailing session they had serious argument that almost ended in “divorce” according to him.

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So, we went to this sailing school and I’m serious, the first lunch break, we went up to the hotel room and almost got divorced, it was the biggest argument ever. I was like, ‘This is my dream, we have the time, let’s go on a boat.’ She said, ‘This is crazy, I hate it. The boat’s leaned over, it’s awful.’

Carl Edwards said via Dale Jr. Download.

After the fight and listening to the concerns raised by his wife Kate, the couple came to an agreement and decided to buy a motorboat instead. He then went sail across the Athletic with his son and two fellow passengers from England.

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And so, Kate said, let’s buy a motorboat that was safer because there wasn’t sailing involved and I didn’t know anything about it. We bought this boat over in Europe and my son and me and two guys, we came across the Atlantic, it was the most amazing…

Carl Edwards added.

Carl Edwards revealed it took him over 21 years to first see the ocean

Following the retirement, Edwards fell in love with the ocean and it was surprising even for him, as he was from central Missouri and the first time, he saw an ocean was after he turned 20. But because of the all the free time he had and new found passion, he asked his wife about going to learn to sail.

Carl Edwards
Carl Edwards (Via On3)

I left racing and we can talk more about that to any degree that you want. But I fell in love with this idea of the ocean. I don’t know where that came from, I mean, I grew up in central Missouri. I didn’t see the ocean until I was maybe 21. So, had all this free time. I was like, ‘Alright Kate, we’re going to learn to sail.’ And she said, ‘Fine.

Carl Edwards said.

The comments from Carl Edwards shows how his life changes a lot after the retirement and how the new passion helped him experience the adrenalin rush, he loves from his NASCAR days. The new experience might have given him a unique perspective of life.

How the Edwards family feel about the ex-JGR racers broadcasting debut?

In another part of the podcast, Edwards shared how his family feels about his broadcasting debut with Prime. He and his family are pumped about the opportunity about experiencing racing, with their kids being at an age to understand it all.

Carl Edwards
Carl Edwards (Via IMAGO)

My family getting to be at the track with me and share all this at an age where my kids are old enough to understand what’s really going on to be around all these great people, that’s a big part. They’re pumped.

Carl Edwards said.

The second chapter of his Carl Edwards’s NASCAR career will be special as the veteran has the opportunity to share a unique perspective about the sport. It would be interesting to see how Edwards’ broadcasting career is going to playout.