“He meant a lot to me!” Kyle Larson mourns the death of veteran HMS teammate Jon Edwards

2021 Cup Series champion Kyle Larson has shared his thoughts on the death of HMS’s Jon Edwards ahead of the Bristol race weekend.

“He meant a lot to me!” Kyle Larson mourns the death of veteran HMS teammate Jon Edwards

Kyle Larson and Jon Edwards (Via IMAGO and @HMS/X)

NASCAR lost two influential figures, who has been part of the sport for decades, in the last two weeks. Truck Series championship winning team owner/racer Shige Hattori passed away in an accident last week and this week Hendrick Motorsports lost their communication director Jon Edwards, who has been with the team for over 30 years.

HMS’ 2021 Cup champion Kyle Larson shared his thoughts on the sudden passing ahead of the Bristol race weekend. They have been working together since day one of the veteran signing the Chevy giants. He admitted that Jon Edwards was a person he spends a lit time personal as well as professional time with, and he will miss having him to support the team.

He meant a lot to me, personally. You know, just getting to be with him since 2021, going on a couple of vacations and stuff with him, getting to know him and just being around him a lot. He’s probably the guy I’m around the most on the 5 team. So, I’m going to miss having him around.

Kyle Larson said via NBC Sports.

He highlighted how Edwards had a long career with HMS, working with Jeff Gordon and helping the team to grow. Larson admitted that Edwards wouldn’t wont his teammate to be sad for him, as he is someone who is always lives a happy life and always held his heads high. He wants to mourn his friend’s death by winning races for him.

You know, he’s had a long career with Jeff Gordon and Hendrick Motorsports. Definitely a sad week for the industry, but yeah, we’re going to mourn his loss and try to win some races for him this weekend. He would want us to not be sad. He was a happy person. So, we’re going to hold our heads high and represent him well this weekend.

Kyle Larson added.

NASCAR community mourns the death of Jon Edwards

Jeff Gordon and Kyle Larson weren’t the only drivers to mourn the death of the veteran. They were joined by many in the community who had their own happy moments to share about the veteran. Senior NASCAR Journalist Bob Pockrass in his social media message admitted that losing Edwards is a heartbreaking moment for him.

Jon Edwards
Jon Edwards (Via @TeamHendrick/X)

Heartbroken when I heard this news. Jon Edwards treated everyone like they were gold. He currently worked as Kyle Larson’s primary PR person at Hendrick because he loved the PR role and life. RIP.

Bob Pockrass wrote on X.

Ex-NASCAR racer and Professional Wrestler Hermie Sadler also shared a heartfelt message about Edwards death. He joined the mourning of the HMS professional who is consummate pro in the industry and his friend.

I join my NASCAR family in the shock and sadness over Jon Edwards’ passing.   A consummate pro in the industry.   He was always good to me during my years in the sport and like me, he loved the Tar Heels.   RIP my friend.

Hermie Sadler wrote on X.

NASCAR also honored the dead significant personals of the sport, with releasing two special videos highlighting their contribution towards the sports. Jon Edwards and Shige Hattori will be missed in the sport, but their legacy will never be forgotten.