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.

But two things tie Edwards and Rudd together — when each decided to retire, both 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 and Rudd are among five being celebrated Friday night as the newest members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Members from all across motorsports will gather at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte to celebrate the Hall's newest inductees.

NASCAR had a 63-year backlog of Hall of Fame-worthy drivers, owners, mechanics, crew chiefs, and executives when its Hall opened in 2010. Drivers and crew chiefs must be retired for three years to become Hall-eligible. Retired drivers Carl Edwards and Ricky Rudd will be inducted on Friday in Charlotte.