They say NASCAR racing is a team sport. While the driver is the one executing on the race day driving the race car, it is the efforts of those unsung heroes behind the scenes that truly drive the entire team. Jon Edwards was one of the important personalities within the racing community. The reason why media personalities were able to get in touch with the likes of Jeff Gordon and Kyle Larson was because of Edwards. Long before he joined Hendrick Motorsports, he served as the public relations representative since 1994.

In 2021, he joined HMS, working as Larson’s representative. And the very next year, he got promoted to the organization’s director of communication. But unfortunately, neither the NASCAR media camp nor HMS will be able to lean on him for his expertise and compassion after he died on Thursday at age 52. Larson gave his former partner a tribute by winning the Xfinity Series race: “I wish I could have won last night, but just came up a little bit short, but cool to get a win this weekend for Jon [Edwards] and everybody who’s been a part of his life.”

And now, the entire No. 5 HMS team has joined in paying tribute to their team member ahead of the Food City 500 race. The team radio on the #5 team buzzed with emotional words. According to the FOX broadcast, Larson was heard talking on his communications while on the track. “Racing for the memory of our beloved John Edwards and his untimely passing this week. Thoughts and prayers go out to everyone. At Hendrick Motorsports and the NASCAR community. John’s family. Thank you for everything you’ve done for us. Hope to make you proud today.”

Although Edwards was always on top of his game, he was a great human to be around. Larson’s No. 5 Chevy, along with a few other race cars, also featured a decal in memory of Edwards. Although the HMS team members are never low on motivation, they had an emotional reason to win the Food City 500 and pay a perfect tribute to Jon Edwards. And guess what? Larson went on to do just that.

Jon Edwards: The Silent Architect of Triumphs

Having snagged the Xfinity Series race, Kyle Larson followed up with another dominant run during the Cup Series race. He led 411 of 500 laps and was uncontested, while his rival, Denny Hamlin, was waiting for a mistake on his end, but that fumble never came, and he had to settle for a P2. This victory must be sweet for the HMS driver given that, for the first time in 7 races while finishing 1-2, he finally bagged a win against his arch-rival. But, as soon as the No. 5 car crossed the finish line, the message from the #5 camp was clear -“This is for Jon.”

This sentiment echoed in Larson’s post-race interview as well. “This one’s definitely for Jon. He’s just a great guy. Successful weekend here. Wish he was going to be here with us to celebrate, but I know he’s celebrating with us in spirit. Just a flawless race once again here at Bristol for the 5 team. Really, really good car. That was a lot of fun.”

Despite brushing off the outside wall on Turns 1 and 2 with five left, he finished the race 2.250 seconds in front of the JGR driver. While Hamlin would’ve wanted to complete the three-peat, he tipped his hat to his rival camp while also paying respects to Edwards and Shigeaki Hattori. “You gotta give that team their due and Kyle his due. Just a dominant performance. Glad we were able to give him a little bit of a run with our progressive Toyota. But this weekend, we’re all thinking about Jon Edwards, his family, Shigea Hattori.”

That was indeed a class act from a driver who doesn’t mind flipping the fans off in the grandstands. But today’s race was beyond rivalries and competition.