The NASCAR world was buzzing with excitement when Carl Edwards, a Hall of Famer and one of the sport’s 75 greatest drivers, hinted at a potential comeback during his appearance at Kansas Speedway. The former driver, who retired abruptly in 2016, seems to have rekindled his love for the sport, and his former teammate, 23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin, has made it clear that he’s ready to help Edwards make this dream a reality.
In the latest episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin revealed that he has offered Edwards an open invitation to drive for 23XI Racing whenever he’s ready. “I just told him, whenever he’s ready, just let me know,” Hamlin said. “We’ll have a car for him.”
Edwards’ Love for Horsepower: The Key to His Comeback
However, there’s a catch—Edwards, known for his mastery of high-horsepower cars, has been vocal about his reluctance to return to the sport until NASCAR increases the horsepower of its Next-Gen cars. The former Joe Gibbs Racing star built his career on his ability to slide cars around and manage horsepower, something that’s no longer a central factor in the current Next-Gen cars, which have seen reduced horsepower compared to earlier eras.
Hamlin highlighted this challenge, acknowledging that Edwards may not be interested in making a comeback until the cars have more horsepower. “He’s publicly stated many times, ‘Until they put horsepower back in these cars, I’m not doing it,’” Hamlin shared on the podcast.
For Edwards, the thrill of high-horsepower racing was always central to his success and enjoyment. “My whole career, my favorite thing has been sliding the cars around and managing horsepower,” Edwards explained, making it clear that the reduced horsepower of today’s cars is a significant hurdle to his return.
NASCAR Fans Eager for Edwards’ Return
Edwards, who won 28 Cup races in his career, remains a beloved figure in the NASCAR community. His sudden departure in 2016, following a near-miss for the championship under controversial circumstances, left many fans hoping for a proper send-off. Now, with the possibility of a return on the horizon, the excitement is building—but only if Edwards can find the right conditions to make it worthwhile.
For fans, seeing Edwards back behind the wheel would be a dream come true, but NASCAR’s current stance on horsepower could delay or even derail his return. While the sport is unlikely to change the specifications of the Next-Gen cars anytime soon, many hope Edwards will find a way to overlook the horsepower issue and make a triumphant comeback.
Will Carl Edwards Overcome the Horsepower Hurdle?
As NASCAR continues with its current regulations, the question remains whether Carl Edwards will compromise on his horsepower concerns or hold out for future changes. With Denny Hamlin and 23XI Racing ready to provide him with a competitive car, the door is wide open for Edwards to return—but only time will tell if he’ll take that step.
The racing community is eager to see one of NASCAR’s greatest drivers get the farewell he deserves, but for now, the ball is in Carl Edwards’ court. Will he make his long-awaited comeback, or will the allure of high-horsepower racing keep him on the sidelines? Fans are waiting with bated breath to find out.
Photo from Carl Edwards Instagram
