Carl Edwards’ sudden retirement from NASCAR at the end of the 2016 season left the racing world stunned. After an impressive 13-year run in the Cup Series, Edwards, a fan-favorite known for his pure speed and aggressive driving style, decided to step away from the sport. But could he be lured back? According to fellow racer and close friend Denny Hamlin, the key to seeing Edwards back in action lies in one simple change: more horsepower.
For those who followed Edwards’ career, his love for speed was always evident. His driving philosophy was simple—manage horsepower and push the car to its limits. This mindset made him a fierce competitor on the track. His famous quote, “my whole career, my favorite thing has been sliding the cars around and managing horsepower,” still resonates with fans today. But with NASCAR’s current next-gen cars capped at 670 horsepower, Hamlin believes this limitation might be the very reason Edwards has stayed away. “Until they put horsepower back in these cars, I’m not doing it,” Hamlin claims Edwards has said, and he’s likely serious.
Edwards, currently estimated to be worth $70 million, hasn’t shown much interest in returning to NASCAR, but Hamlin seems convinced there’s a way to change that. In the latest episode of his podcast *Actions Detrimental*, Hamlin openly discussed his thoughts on getting Edwards back behind the wheel. “I just told him, whenever he’s ready. Just let me know whenever you get that itch!” he said. Hamlin firmly believes that if NASCAR increases the horsepower in its cars, Edwards could be tempted out of retirement.
Edwards’ retirement was a surprise, but his career was nothing short of legendary. He rose to prominence in the NASCAR Truck and Xfinity Series, where he claimed six and 38 victories respectively. During his Cup Series career, Edwards participated in 445 races, winning 28 of them. He also secured 22 pole positions and had an impressive 220 top-ten finishes. His driving skills, combined with his love for powerful, fast cars, made him a standout figure in NASCAR. That’s why fans still hope for his return, and Hamlin’s recent comments have reignited those hopes.
But it’s not just Edwards who’s been vocal about the need for more horsepower. Hamlin himself, alongside several other drivers, has been pushing for this change. Many drivers argue that the current horsepower limits reduce flexibility, especially in sharp turns, making it harder to manage the car at high speeds. Hamlin’s advocacy for a return to more power in NASCAR has gained attention, and with a potential Edwards comeback in the mix, the call for change might grow even louder.
Hamlin’s opinion on the current state of NASCAR doesn’t stop with horsepower, though. Recently, the 23XI Racing co-owner found himself at the center of controversy regarding an ongoing legal battle between 23XI Racing, Front Row Motorsports, and NASCAR over the latest Charter deal. The teams involved have accused NASCAR of operating in an unfair and biased manner, leading to an antitrust lawsuit. As the legal dust continues to settle, Hamlin has been particularly outspoken about how the situation has been handled in the media.
Jeffrey Kessler, the attorney representing 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, recently gave an interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio’s Channel 90. During the interview, Kessler outlined the teams’ frustrations with NASCAR’s operations, laying out facts and arguments supporting their case. However, according to Hamlin, the interview didn’t go as planned for the radio station.
Hamlin took to X (formerly Twitter) to slam Channel 90, accusing them of censorship after they allegedly edited or removed parts of Kessler’s interview that were critical of NASCAR. Hamlin’s post read: “While censorship is a big topic in today’s media world, Channel 90 might be the poster child. An interview didn’t go the way they hoped after our attorney continued to state fact after fact even though they tried their best to refute.” He continued, “They have since edited/deleted that interview from their channels because the narrative doesn’t fit their beliefs. If that doesn’t convince you of the bias then nothing will.”
This controversy adds another layer to the ongoing battle between teams and NASCAR. As 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports move forward with their lawsuit, it’s clear that Hamlin isn’t afraid to speak out about what he sees as unfair practices, both on the track and behind the scenes. His candid remarks only fuel the growing tension between the sport’s governing body and the teams.
In the end, Hamlin’s comments—whether about the future of horsepower in NASCAR or the integrity of the sport’s leadership—highlight his passion for making things better for drivers, teams, and fans. His hope that Carl Edwards could one day return to NASCAR, paired with his fight for more horsepower, demonstrates his dedication to pushing the sport forward. Whether or not NASCAR listens remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Hamlin’s voice is growing louder, and his message is clear—change is needed. Fans and drivers alike are waiting to see what happens next. Will NASCAR increase the horsepower and lure Edwards back? Or will the sport continue down its current path, leaving fans wondering what could have been?
“Denny Hamlin says Carl Edwards’ $70M comeback depends on NASCAR boosting horsepower”
