NASCAR

NASCAR Community Mourning The Death Of Two Beloved Figures On The Same Day

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By
Jared Turner
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Jared Turner Sports Editor

Jared Turner is a motorsports writer who has covered NASCAR for 20 years. He has interviewed over 20 NASCAR Hall of Famers and around 100 drivers, crew chiefs, and team owners, both past and present. He has also covered the sport for FOX Sports (where he was a two-time recipient of the FOX “X” Award for “Xtraordinary” job performance), NASCAR.com, Sporting News, NASCAR Pole Position Magazine, the SPEED network, and plenty of other online and print-only publications throughout his career. Notably, Jared has penned dozens of articles for NASCAR souvenir programs, including several featured prominently in Daytona 500 keepsakes. A Virginia Press Association award winner and former member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA), Jared has racked up accolades both for his writing and his academic work. He studied both Communication and Psychology at Virginia Tech, where he was permanently enshrined in Phi Beta Kappa — the nation’s oldest and most prestigious academic honor society. Jared excels at feature writing and opinion writing, much of which stems from his dedication to all levels of racing.

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Sports Editor

Published11 Apr 2025

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Jon Edwards

Thursday was a day of great mourning and sadness in the world of NASCAR.

In the morning, news broke that veteran and highly respected NASCAR writer Al Pearce had passed away. Then, several hours later, it became known that longtime public relations professional Jon Edwards — a Hendrick Motorsports employee and mainstay of the NASCAR Cup Series garage — had died unexpectedly.

Within minutes of their deaths being announced, a steady stream of condolences came pouring in for both men.

Revered NASCAR Journalist Al Pearce Remembered As ‘A Caretaker Of The Sport’

Al Pearce, 82, spent well over five decades covering NASCAR as a journalist for a mix of print and digital publications. Most well-known for his work at Autoweek, for which he penned his first NASCAR article in the early 1970s, Pearce remained an active contributor for the motorsports news outlet in the months leading up to his death.

Both a distinguished short-form writer and book author, Pearce captured numerous journalism awards and garnered great admiration along the way from his industry peers.

Perhaps best known for his longevity, Pearce attended 56 consecutive Daytona 500s as a credentialed member of the motorsports media.

 

Death Of ‘Selfless’ Jon Edwards Leaves Jeff Gordon And Hendrick Motorsports ‘Devastated’

Jon Edwards, who was about to celebrate his 53rd birthday in just a few days, served as the director of racing communications at Hendrick Motorsports. Although technically an employee of the organization only for the last few years, Edwards had ties to the company that stretched back to the 1990s. That’s when he became the man behind Jeff Gordon, serving as the point person for virtually all of the four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion’s racing interests and business affairs.

Gordon, who competed at Hendrick Motorsports from 1993-2015 and is now the company’s vice chairman, issued a heartfelt statement at the news of Edwards’ passing.

“I’m devastated by the loss of my dear friend, Jon,” Gordon wrote on the social media platform X. “For almost three decades, we were side by side through every high and low, every celebration, and every challenge. He was one of the most loyal, hardworking and selfless people I’ve ever known, and I will be forever grateful for his immeasurable impact on my life and my career.

“My heart is with Jon’s family and everyone who loved him. He was truly one of a kind.”

Hendrick Motorsports, meanwhile, released its own statement in memory of Edwards.

“Jon was a consummate professional whose remarkable gift for building strong and lasting relationships made him a respected figure in our sport,” the statement read in part. “His impact on Hendrick Motorsports, the NASCAR community and countless individuals cannot be overstated. Above all, Jon was a kind and thoughtful person who carried a genuine passion for our industry, our organization and his many teammates and friends.

“Our thoughts are with Jon’s family and all who are grieving this tremendous loss. He will be deeply missed.”

The tributes to Edwards didn’t stop there, though.