Days after Denny Hamlin’s desperate plea to NASCAR to increase the horsepower in cars, two of his competitors, Christopher Bell and Chase Elliott, have added more bad news for the #11 driver. In interviews, both Bell and Elliott expressed their doubts about the effectiveness of increasing horsepower in making passing easier.

Christopher Bell and Chase Elliott shut down Denny Hamlin’s Plea

Christopher Bell, the driver of the No. 20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, shared his thoughts on Hamlin’s recent plea to NASCAR. In an interview, Bell said, “I mean, everything I’ve been told is ‘no no no no no’ period. I don’t know about you, Chase, but.”

Bell’s comment reflects the general consensus among drivers that NASCAR is unlikely to increase horsepower anytime soon.

Chase Elliott also shared his thoughts, saying, “Yeah, I don’t see it happening”

“I mean the problem is you know the drivers say one thing & they have engine shops and budgets & things you know, I don’t really see where having a little more horsepower is gonna change the bottom line personally.”

“But I don’t work in that department so maybe it does but to me if you’re increasing your entertainment value on track, it might be worth a little extra on the bottom line to benefit everybody.”

WATCH THIS STORY: “They Said Themselves This Was a Racing Accident”–Salty Denny Hamlin Calls Out NASCAR’s Hypocrisy After Appeal to Overturn His Penalty Was Refused

Elliott’s answer highlights an important point – that increasing horsepower might not necessarily lead to better racing. Therefore, while Hamlin’s plea to NASCAR might be well-intentioned, it might not be the most effective solution to the problem of difficult passing.

NASCAR Champion Slams Hamlin Amid Plea For More Horsepower

This comes days after Dale Jarrett, a renowned NASCAR analyst for NBC and 1999 Winston Cup Series Champion, criticized the #11 driver’s plea for more horsepower to increase passing opportunities during races. Denny Hamlin expressed his frustration on his popular podcast after experiencing difficulties making passes during the recent Martinsville race.

He said, “Is it worth it, to try and get a million dollars less engine bill? Are you willing to give up, what we’re giving up for our on-track product? I just don’t think that it’s worth it. The engine bills have not gone down, since we were running 900 horsepower, it was the same”

“You got to give us some horsepower back.”

However, Jarrett pointed out that Martinsville has its unique challenges, and simply increasing horsepower is not the solution to the problem.

According to Jarrett, the key to success at Martinsville is not just about having the most horsepower. Instead, it’s about understanding how to translate speed into adaptability during competition and creating passing opportunities.

READ MORE: 1999 Cup Series Champ Shuts Down Denny Hamlin’s Desperate Plea to NASCAR Following Martinsville Frustrations

While Hamlin’s plea for more horsepower may not have gotten a positive response, it certainly sparked a conversation among drivers, new and old. What do you think? Will NASCAR heed what Hamlin had to say?