Carl Edwards, a retired NASCAR driver renowned for his competitive drive and iconic backflip celebrations, is also supported by his accomplished wife, Dr. Katherine Downey Edwards, a respected sports medicine doctor and dedicated mother.
Edwards began his NASCAR career in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2002.
He quickly rose to prominence, winning the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series championship.
Edwards achieved 28 Cup Series wins, including victories at marquee events like the Coca-Cola 600 and Southern 500 in 2015.
He came close to winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup title twice, finishing second in 2008 and 2011.
Edwards drove for Roush Fenway Racing and later Joe Gibbs Racing, becoming one of NASCAR‘s most popular figures.
He earned notable accolades, including the 2007 Busch Series Most Popular Driver award.
In 2023, Edwards was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers, and he will join the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2025.
Carl Edwards’ Wife, Katherine Edwards, Is A Highly Accomplished Sports Medicine Doctor and Mother of Two!!
Katherine Downey Edwards and Carl Edwards, both from Columbia, Missouri, met in 2006.
They married three years later, on January 3, 2009.
Carl and Katherine Edwards have two children: Michael, born in February 2010, and Anne, born in 2011.
They have built a strong and supportive family life away from Edwards’ racing career.
Dr. Katherine Edwards earned her medical degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
She then completed her Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
As Chief Resident, she specialized in rehabilitating patients with severe brain injuries, a field she continues to work in.
Currently, she practices at multiple hospitals in Columbia, Missouri, including the Harry S. Truman VA Medical Center and the University of Missouri Health Care-Columbia.
With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Edwards has earned high regard in her field.
Her expertise in restoring function after injuries has earned her multiple patient awards and a strong reputation.
Get Embed CodeAs a physiatrist, she helps individuals regain independence and improve their quality of life.
Despite her demanding career, Katherine remains a central figure in Edwards’ life.
She provides support while balancing her professional responsibilities and raising a family.
While Carl Edwards is celebrated for his NASCAR achievements, Katherine’s support and professional accomplishments are key to their shared success.
Before marrying Katherine, Carl was in a high-profile relationship with Olympic swimmer Amanda Beard.
The relationship, which began in 2005, ended in 2006.
Years later, Beard revealed details about their time together in her memoir, In the Water They Can’t See You Cry.
In the book, she criticized Edwards, claiming he was controlling and jealous during their relationship.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Edwards co-founded Back 40 Records, a record label, with a high school friend from Columbia, Missouri.
- There were rumors in 2018 that Edwards would run for U.S. Senate in Missouri against Claire McCaskill, but he chose not to. He was also considered for the 2022 race.
- Edwards’ great-great-great-grandfather was Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th President of the United States, a fact he revealed during a 2016 visit to the USS Constitution Museum.
