Many of his former competitors were shocked to see him on the Yard of Bricks; it was the first time most had seen Rudd since his final Cup Series race in 2007.

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.

Carl Edwards left NASCAR abruptly in 2016 and has mostly stayed away since, making his Hall of Fame induction all the more special to him.