MORE: Suarez explains impact of Edwards' help | Full test speeds
AVONDALE, Ariz. -- He isn't running for public office, holding out for more money with another team or the victim of a sponsor looking to elevate a younger driver.
Carl Edwards also isn't racing.
But the former Joe Gibbs Racing driver was on hand Tuesday at Phoenix Raceway to assist his former team and new addition Daniel Suarez during the season's first organizational test for Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series teams.
"At first I was really looking forward to it but then as the day kind of approached I thought, 'what am I going to do there?' " Edwards said during a break in the action. "It feels a little strange. The first couple of minutes of being around felt a little funny but it's been fine, it's been pretty neat."
Edwards, 37, walked away from competing in NASCAR following the 2016 season. Joe Gibbs Racing officials named Suarez, the 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Series champion, to take over the No. 19 Toyota previously driven by Edwards.
At Phoenix, Edwards was on hand to help Suarez not only with his on-track effort, but with all the things that go into transitioning into a new series.
He seemed intrigued by what others have perceived as the "real" reason for his departure, announced earlier this month.
"Man, I want to go on the record as saying those things are not true," Edwards said. "I know you guys need something to talk about but that's pretty wild. I get it."
Earlier this month, reports surfaced that he might consider a run for political office from his home state of Missouri.
"That whole thing blew up with the political thing quickly … that went out of control," he said. "The point is I don't ever rule out anything. I don't have any interest in politics for politics. I really do believe in America and I believe that if a person can help maintain the future opportunities for other people, like the opportunities that all of us have had, that’s our duty as Americans. …. If that's something down the line that fits in, that I can do, that would be an endeavor that I would be real proud of. But I'm not putting together this campaign or something. Not right now."
In announcing his decision to step away, Edwards cited three reasons -- he wants to spend more time with his family, he's content with what he accomplished in racing and he is healthy.
Yes, he's at the track this week, but as teams continue preparations for the season-opening Daytona 500, and the 35 other races that follow, Edwards will be doing what he wants to do, not what he has to do.
That may or may not include continuing to offer assistance to JGR, or Toyota Racing Development. It will, however, be his decision.
"Maybe those things will happen," he said. "Right now just getting used to a new normal, just something a little different."
Different on Tuesday was standing on top of his former team's hauler, watching as Suarez made laps around the 1-mile Phoenix track. Two of Edwards' 28 career victories in the top series came here.
"I felt like this track in particular I could help him with a little bit," he said. "I really like this place. It's one of my favorite tracks. So this is a perfect place for me to come and try to give some advice.
"… It's so much different standing on the truck watching the car go than being in the car. I guess you just have more time to think about all the things that could go wrong sitting up there. It's more stressful to me."