Carl Edwards takes on role as ESPN broadcaster

Carl Edwards is always comfortable in front of a microphone.
Credit: Debbie Ross/Skirts and Scuffs

Carl Edwards is heading to work during a few Nationwide races. .. no, not as a driver, but as a race broadcaster for ESPN.

First up on Edwards' schedule is Friday night at Darlington Raceway, where he will join lap-by-lap announcer Allen Bestwick and Andy Petree for coverage of the track dubbed "too tough to tame."

Along with the Darlington race, Edwards is scheduled to be in the booth for the June 29 race at Kentucky Speedway. 

“I am humbled by this opportunity to broadcast for ESPN and be part of their team,” Edwards said of the opportunity. “This Friday in Darlington, I will hop out of my Sprint Cup car and trade my firesuit for a suit and tie to see the Nationwide race from a totally different perspective."

“I am honestly a little nervous as it will be my first time being part of the broadcast,” he said. “ESPN has been a great partner for everyone in NASCAR and I hope I can add some insight for the fans.”

“Having a past NASCAR Nationwide Series champion and active NASCAR Sprint Cup driver in the booth will certainly bring some unique perspective to our viewers,” said Rich Feinberg, ESPN vice president, motorsports, production. “We have a very strong on-air team for NASCAR and this addition makes it even stronger.”

For Edwards, the 2007 Nationwide Series champion, this is his first year sitting on the sidelines after running in the series the past seven seasons. He and his team opted out to focus solely on their Sprint Cup championship efforts.