“My whole career, my favorite thing has been sliding the cars around and managing horsepower.” These golden words came out of one of NASCAR’s most prolific racers – Carl Edwards. The 72-time NASCAR National Series winner made some exemplary performances throughout his career. He was known for driving at the edge. For fans clamoring for his return to the sport, this is exactly why his comeback remains doubtful, as per Denny Hamlin.

Hamlin himself has been a vocal proponent for more horsepower than the current 670-hp limit. The Next-Gen car’s volley of criticisms involves low power that considerably axes flexibility on the drivers’ part. So the 2016 shock retiree from NASCAR would not take the wheel unless it is molded to his suitability.

Denny Hamlin reveals veteran’s reason for hesitation to return to the fold

“If you’re looking for a driver, you’re looking for me.” Throughout his 12-year-long career in NASCAR, Carl Edwards made it amply clear that he is essentially a racer. His quick Truck Series success in 2004 landed him in full-time Xfinity and Cup rides by 2005. His journey was only an uphill climb – he amassed 38 Xfinity wins and won the 2007 championship.

Edwards’ 28 Cup wins lacked a championship but were full of spirited, high-speed runs. Since speed is a big thing lacking in the Next-Gen car, Edwards is shifting his feet to return.

Edwards’ departure from the racetracks in 2016 was very abrupt and unexpected. However, his return to NASCAR may take longer, and the signs will present themselves. Denny Hamlin recently slipped one of those signs that might propel Hall of Famer back to the narrative. In a recent episode of ‘Actions Detrimental,’ Hamlin said he is ready to welcome the veteran. “I just told him whenever he’s ready. Just let me know, whenever you get that itch!” But Edwards made his stance clear: “I think he’s probably stated many times – until they put horsepower back in these cars, I’m not doing it.”

This firm opinion stands true to Carl Edwards’ racing career. Back in 2008, when he was a solid contender for the Championship, he displayed his love for high-powered race cars. Just after winning at Texas for the second time that year, he said: “The fact is that these are the 43 best drivers in the world. The cars have 900 horsepower and go 200 miles an hour, and the track is slippery and the tires are slippery, and that’s a spectacle–and that’s what it’s supposed to be.” So his testimony to Denny Hamlin stands to reason.

Even after retiring in 2016, Edwards lived up to his high-powered standard.

Carl Edwards’ love for power never faded

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When Carl Edwards signed off after coming within a restart of winning the 2016 Cup title, the entire NASCAR fraternity expressed their shock. Joe Gibbs thought Edwards was there to wish him a merry Christmas but it actually resulted in conveying his retirement news. After leaving, the veteran engaged in everything besides racing – farming, traveling the high seas, or practicing jiu-jitsu. But a legend is always a legend – when Edwards got behind the wheel, his old instincts kicked back in. In 2017, he tried his hand at a Toyota Land Cruiser and turned it into the World’s Fastest SUV.

He loved handling the 2000-horsepower beast and drove it to a jaw-dropping 230 mph. “I went out there on the top speed run and it made some sort of noise,” Edwards told FOXSports.com of his record run. “All I could think was that this might be our only shot at getting the record and so I kept my foot in it. The front end kind of wandered at about 225 (mph) and I thought, ‘Holy c–p, I don’t know what’s coming next.’ Once I saw 230 — we actually got to 232 or 34 — I shut it down. Man, my heart was pounding. I’m not exaggerating. It was pretty exciting.”

This befits the horsepower-loving NASCAR veteran. As he stated to Denny Hamlin, Edwards would detest any NASCAR vehicle sporting a horsepower level lower than his expectations.