Edwards enjoying mentor role for Suarez at Atlanta

Things are going "really, really well" for Carl Edwards as he settles into life away from racing but because Daniel Suarez asked he made the trip to Atlanta Motor Speedway
Friday, Edwards lent a helping hand to Suarez during opening Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice, which saw Suarez clock in 16th fastest.

A five-time winner at Atlanta between the Xfinity and Cup Series, Edwards thought he would be helping the Joe Gibbs Racing rookie learn the track, but instead, Suarez picked his brain in other areas.

"What he's told me has been helpful is just kind of understanding the resources that they have and who to talk to about your tire pressures, how to run the computer stuff – things like that that I kind of took for granted," Edwards said. "It's been pretty neat to help him a little bit. I guess the proof will be in qualifying (later). He'll have somebody to blame it on if it goes poorly."

Edwards plans on staying in Atlanta for as long as the team asks him to be. That includes for Sunday's race, although Edwards doesn't believe he'll need to be. It's also hard, he admits, to walk into the garage as a spectator and not a driver, seeing as how Atlanta is one of his favorite tracks.

It's why Suarez asked Edwards to come to Atlanta to offer guidance as the two participated in a Subway shoot earlier this week. Calling Suarez "intelligent" and full of confidence, Edwards has enjoyed watching Suarez work with the team. Suarez knows what he wants and is more decision then Edwards remembers being at the beginning of his career.

Happy to help when needed, Edwards (pictured) expects things to change going forward.

"I think some places I can help him and some places I can't," Edwards said. "But I think very quickly I'll be out of the picture because it's his team – he's proven himself. He doesn't have to have me here. I'm only in addition to what he's already got, and it's because he wants me here.

"I definitely don't want to get in the way. I'm not a hanger-on type guy. If they don't want me here, I won't be here."

Knowing the questions about whether he would return to racing if asked will always be out there, Edwards said he's going to try and stick to his plan by stepping away. He wants to get his perspective right, and if he does decide to drive something, it would be at 100 percent. Although right now, he's certain he wouldn't agree to anything full-time.

While Edwards wouldn't divulge anything about life at home with his family, he reiterated he's grateful to have made the decision that he did.

"I'm having a lot of fun," Edwards said. "Everybody calls it retirement; I haven't called it retirement officially (because) I admit I brought my helmet and my firesuit today just in case somebody needed something.

"I'm just so grateful to Coach (Joe Gibbs) and everybody letting me make the decision I made. It's cool coming back here and seeing everybody. It's really fun."