Carl Edwards and Ricky Rudd had very little overlap in their respective NASCAR careers. Edwards only entered the elite Cup Series in 2004 — a mere 67 races before Rudd ended his 32-year career — so the two never got a chance to know one another.

Carl Edwards left NASCAR abruptly in 2016 and has mostly stayed away since, making his Hall of Fame induction all the more special to him.

Edwards, who will be inducted into the sport’s Hall of Fame on Friday alongside Ricky Rudd and Ralph Moody, initially felt nervous to return to the track when the fan favorite driver was invited to NASCAR’s 75th anniversary celebration.

NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremony on February 7 in Charlotte will honor Carl Edwards, Ricky Rudd, Ralph Moody, and Dr. Dean Sicking.

When each decided to retire, he essentially vanished from the NASCAR scene, and on Friday night, they will return to their old racing community as inductees of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Edwards, Rudd and the late Ralph Moody — who had success as a driver and owner — will be inducted as the shrine's three-member class of 2025,