Carl Edwards doesn't rule out U.S. Senate run in 2018

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Carl Edwards remains a hot topic in NASCAR, two weeks after his abrupt retirement as a full-time driver.

Terry Smith, a political science professor at Columbia College, speculated in a Wednesday piece for KBIA's Talking Politics that Edwards will challenge U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill in Missouri next year. McCaskill, a Democrat, is in her second term.

Edwards didn't exactly rule it out when reached by The Associated Press. He texted: ''If I could help, I definitely would consider it,'' though he stressed he has no such plans for now.

The 37-year-old Edwards has also not ruled out a return to racing.