Denny Hamlin calls on NASCAR to increase horsepower: ‘Just try it’

Denny Hamlin is more than adamant that NASCAR should increase the horsepower in the Cup Series moving forward.

The issue has been dividing drivers, fans and sport officials since the advent of the Next Gen car. Many believe adding horsepower would put the focus more on the drivers, which many have been clamoring for over the last couple of seasons.

NASCAR Cup Series Managing Director Brad Moran even touched on the issue during an appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, where he explained that NASCAR was looking into the issue, and it could be a change coming in the future, but it would have a major ripple effect, including potentially scaring off new manufacturers from joining the sport.

Still, Hamlin believes it’s the right thing to do moving forward, and he called on NASCAR to just see how it works out, even if it’s just a testing session, via the latest episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast.

“I understand what the people want. I understand what NASCAR wants. I wish we could just meet in the middle,” Hamlin said. “We don’t need 900 horsepower back. I mean, it’d be nice, but those days are gone. I think in the near term, I would certainly like to see him just try it. Just try it, at a test.”

Continuing, Hamlin is of the belief that the change would help with NASCAR’s star-making problem, as it would allow wheelmen like Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney and Christopher Bell truly showcase why they’re the best in the sport.

“I mean, we know what it’s going to do. It certainly would put in my opinion, the driver skill more as a showcase,” Hamlin elaborated. “If we want to create stars, stars are the ones that are good week-in and week-out. The Kyle Larsons of the world. The Ryan Blaneys of of the world. The Christopher Bells of the world. They just find ways to win week-in, week-out, and be competitive, because they’re just better drivers. That’s just the fact. So we want to highlight their skill, not their track position.”

Hamlin has a point, as there should be more of an emphasis on driver talent, as opposed to simply who can stay out front the longest. While there’s skill in that to, to an extent, that’s not what fans pay money to see week-in and week-out.

Regardless, it remains a fascinating topic of conversation, and one that Denny Hamlin certainly has his allies on. We’ll see if NASCAR decides to make a change in the future on the matter.