The NASCAR community was recently abuzz with speculation when Carl Edwards, one of the sport’s most accomplished drivers, hinted at a potential return during an appearance at Kansas Speedway. Edwards, a NASCAR Hall of Famer and one of the sport’s 75 greatest drivers, has long been considered a fan favorite, and his abrupt retirement in 2016 left a void that many have hoped would one day be filled. His recent remarks have reignited those hopes, and the possibility of a comeback has NASCAR fans and insiders talking.
The potential return of Edwards has gained even more momentum thanks to his former teammate and current 23XI Racing co-owner, Denny Hamlin. Hamlin, a close friend of Edwards and a major figure in the sport, has made it clear that he would be more than willing to help Edwards make his return. During a recent episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin revealed that he has offered Edwards an open invitation to drive for 23XI Racing whenever he feels ready to come back. “I just told him, whenever he’s ready, just let me know,” Hamlin said. “We’ll have a car for him.”
This offer is significant not only because of the strong bond between the two drivers, but also because 23XI Racing, co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan, has quickly risen to prominence in the NASCAR Cup Series. The team has established itself as a competitive force, making it an ideal landing spot for a driver of Edwards’ caliber should he decide to return to racing.
However, despite Hamlin’s open invitation, there is one major hurdle that could prevent Edwards from making his much-anticipated comeback: the current state of NASCAR’s Next-Gen cars. Edwards, who built his reputation as a master of high-horsepower vehicles, has been vocal about his reluctance to return to the sport until NASCAR increases the horsepower of its Next-Gen cars. For Edwards, the thrill of racing has always been tied to the challenge of controlling and managing power, especially when it comes to sliding the cars around the track. This skill, which played a central role in his success during his time with Joe Gibbs Racing, is less relevant in the current generation of lower-horsepower cars.
Hamlin addressed this challenge on his podcast, acknowledging that Edwards’ passion for high-horsepower racing might be the biggest obstacle to his return. “He’s publicly stated many times, ‘Until they put horsepower back in these cars, I’m not doing it,’” Hamlin shared. For Edwards, it seems, the reduced horsepower of the Next-Gen cars represents more than just a technical change—it’s a fundamental shift in the type of racing he loves.
This sentiment is not new for Edwards, who has been a vocal critic of the reduction in horsepower in recent years. NASCAR’s move to lower-horsepower cars has been driven by several factors, including safety and cost, but it has also sparked debate among drivers and fans who feel that the changes have taken some of the excitement out of the sport. Edwards has made it clear that his entire career was built on his ability to manage horsepower and navigate the challenges that came with high-powered machines, and that the current state of the sport simply doesn’t align with the style of racing he loves.
“My whole career, my favorite thing has been sliding the cars around and managing horsepower,” Edwards explained in a past interview. For him, the ability to balance the raw power of the car with precision and control was not only a key to his success but also the source of his enjoyment on the track. The reduced horsepower of today’s cars removes a large part of that challenge, making the racing experience less appealing to a driver with Edwards’ particular skill set.
For NASCAR fans, the possibility of Edwards returning to the track is an exciting one. Edwards won 28 Cup races during his career and came close to winning the championship on multiple occasions. His sudden and unexpected departure in 2016, following a near-miss for the championship, left many feeling that his career ended too soon. It wasn’t just his success on the track that made him a beloved figure in the sport, but also his unique personality, his trademark backflip celebrations after victories, and his reputation as a fierce competitor who always raced with integrity.
Since his retirement, Edwards has largely stayed out of the public eye, choosing to live a quieter life away from the spotlight. However, his reappearance at Kansas Speedway and his willingness to discuss a possible comeback have reignited fans’ hopes that they might once again see him behind the wheel. Social media has been flooded with messages from fans expressing their excitement at the possibility of Edwards’ return, and many are eager to see him get the proper send-off they feel he deserves.
Yet, for all the excitement surrounding a potential Edwards comeback, there remains a significant question: will NASCAR’s current regulations on horsepower stand in the way? While there is little indication that the sport will make any immediate changes to the specifications of the Next-Gen cars, many fans and analysts are hopeful that Edwards might eventually be able to overlook the horsepower issue, particularly if he finds the right opportunity with a competitive team like 23XI Racing.
Hamlin’s offer provides an intriguing possibility. 23XI Racing has shown a commitment to excellence, and with Hamlin’s backing, Edwards would likely have access to top-tier equipment and a strong support system. But it remains unclear if that will be enough to entice Edwards back without a change in the horsepower rules.
Ultimately, the decision rests with Edwards. His love for high-horsepower racing has been well-documented, and it’s possible that the allure of those powerful machines will keep him sidelined for the foreseeable future. However, for a driver as passionate and competitive as Edwards, the idea of getting back behind the wheel and competing at the highest level might be too tempting to resist.
As it stands, the racing community is left to wonder: will Carl Edwards make his long-awaited return to NASCAR? Or will the allure of high-horsepower racing prevent him from accepting Hamlin’s offer and stepping back into the spotlight? For now, all eyes are on Edwards, and fans are eagerly awaiting the answer. Whether he returns or not, the excitement surrounding his possible comeback has reminded everyone just how much he meant to the sport—and how much his presence is still missed.
Will The Racing Legend Carl Edwards Take The Wheel Again As Denny Hamlin Solely Pushes For His Return To Nascar???
