Carl Edwards — citing family, health and time constraints — is walking away on his own accord as a NASCAR Cup driver in the prime of his career.

His reasons may not dispel rumors and speculation as to why he would do such a thing without a secret smoking gun, but he stayed the course, reiterating those points in an emotional press conference Wednesday morning at Joe Gibbs Racing headquarters.

“This may not make sense to people,” Edwards said. “It makes you nervous to do something like this and wonder if everyone understands or not.”

Edwards, 37, started the process shortly after the final race in Homestead last November, when for the second time since 2011, he was in contention for the title. He finished fourth overall this season.

“I had been thinking about how this would end, and in my mind I considered next year being my final year but hadn’t put much time into it.” Edwards said. “After Homestead …I said, ‘I can’t come up with a reason why this would not be a good time.’ “

He said he has no definitive plans, although he is open to broadcast and television opportunities. He also did not rule out the opportunity to race again in an undefined role, although he would like to limit himself to working with Joe Gibbs and his team.

A 13-year Cup veteran, Edwards retires with 28 victories at NASCAR’s highest competitive level, along with 124 Top 5s. He will be replaced at Joe Gibbs Racing by Daniel Suarez, who won the Xfinity Series last season competing for JGR.

A likeable but sometimes ornery competitor, Edwards acknowledged his faults and his weaknesses, without giving himself credit for one of his strengths:

His ability to look at his life and career subjectively, and not live in the moment of chasing more victories or a championship.

“This is an all-encompassing thing,” Edwards said. “… I need to take that time right now and devote it to people and things that I’m really passionate about.”

Citing health concerns, Edwards said he is fine, but acknowledges that the landscape can always get murky. He mentioned Dale Earnhardt Jr. — who sat out half of the 2016 season with concussion-related symptoms — as a factor in the process of deciding to step away.

“I’m 100 percent healthy but it is a risky sport.” He said. “… I realize there are long term consequences to this stuff and that’s part of the puzzle.”