This news article highlights the induction of Ricky Rudd and Carl Edwards into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. It delves into Rudd's legendary durability and tenacity, showcasing his ability to overcome various challenges throughout his career. The article also explores Edwards's complex persona and his abrupt departure from NASCAR, ultimately leading to his return and reintegration into the sport.
One of the toughest drivers in NASCAR history joined one the most enigmatic drivers of the modern era as the newest inductees into the Hall of Fame in a star-studded Friday night ceremony. Ricky Rudd , known as the “Ironman” for his 788 consecutive starts over a 32-year career, was feted for his grit. Following a crash the week before the Daytona 500, Rudd's eyes were so swollen he used duct tape to keep them open so that he could race.
In reality, it was injuries to his ribs that bothered him most, for week, but was overlooked because of the tape keeping his eyes open. Another time, when the cooling system in his car failed, his team tried to help by pouring water into his firesuit. But the process backfired and Rudd suffered second-degree burns. He finished the race and did his media obligations laying on the ground. 'He had a job to do, and nothing was going to stop him,” said seven-time NASCAR champion and fellow Hall of Famer Richard Petty. Rudd also didn't stand down to anyone — he told The Associated Press his father taught him young how to handle bullies — and his ability to defend himself prevented many confrontations that might have happened during NASCAR's rougher days. Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon recounted a time the two crashed into each other and had to share an ambulance to the care center. Gordon said he was so relieved to see Rudd already seated in the front seat because if they'd been in the back together, Gordon figured he was about to lose a fist fight. “He’s a guy who demands respect and deserves to be in the Hall of Fame,” said fellow Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace. Also inducted Friday night was Carl Edwards, a popular driver who abruptly quit the sport after his second controversial loss of a Cup Series title. Edwards, always extremely popular, was tough to get a true read on during his career as many of his fellow competitors found him to be fake. Hall of Famer Tony Stewart, who beat Edwards on a tiebreaker for the 2011 championship, used to call Edwards “Eddie Haskell” for his penchant of being polite and friendly in front of cameras and fans, but not so nice to his fellow competitors. He lamented in his speech “the facade of reputation” and admitted he was “kind of being a douchebag,' in not being friends with his fellow competitors. Edwards said, “If I had been a little more mature, a little bit less self-centered, had a little more perspective... we could have been more than enemies on the racetrack.” When Edwards lost a second title in 2016 and abruptly quit the sport — and literally vanished from the NASCAR community — he thought he'd never again be part of the community. “I left eight years ago and I thought I was truly turning my back on this whole sport. I thought I was making a choice between this sport and my family,” Edwards said. “And you know, every prize has its price, and for me, the prize of my family was worth that price. What you've done here, though, is you've let me win both ways.” Now that he's back, Edwards told AP he plans to come to the track some in 2025 and is interested in television work — and Amazon still has positions to fill in its broadcast portion of the upcoming season. “He had a real focus in his professional career, he is a real credit to our sport and he was a superstar,” said Hall of Fame team owner Joe Gibbs, who Edwards drove for when he quit after the 2016 season finale. Edwards had been leading late when a questionable caution was thrown and Edwards was wrecked on the restart. “I remember him sitting down and saying ‘Hey, Joe, I think it’s time for me to step away from racing,'” recalled Gibbs. “And I go, ‘What? Here’s a guy who is in his prime, and for him to say that, I think it was one of the more shocking things that happened to me in sports.”
NASCAR Hall Of Fame Ricky Rudd Carl Edwards Racing Durability Enigma Controversy
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