Kyle Larson, following an uncomfortable race at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) due to his cool suit malfunction, is now turning to a method previously adopted by Chase Elliott to deal with rising cockpit temperatures. As issues with the Next Gen car’s heat management continue, Larson and others are searching for better ways to stay cool during demanding races, making the Kyle Larson cool suit failure a key challenge on track.
Growing Issues with Cool Suits in NASCAR’s Next Gen Cars
Race drivers have raised concerns over the performance of the Next Gen vehicles, with many struggling in stifling heat at COTA as their “Dutch ovens” left them exhausted during the event. The recurring problem of failing cool shirts intensified these difficulties, with high cockpit temperatures making it increasingly tough to compete safely. Drivers like Chase Elliott have searched for alternative solutions, and now Larson is following his lead in handling the rising heat inside their cars.
Kyle Larson Adopts a New Cooling Strategy
After dealing directly with a cool suit failure at COTA, Kyle Larson openly discussed his approach for the next race.
“I’m not scared of the cool shirt by any means still. But yeah, this week I’m going to try… so Chase, he runs a cool suit every now and then.”
– Kyle Larson, Driver
Larson endured extreme heat last week after his equipment broke down, forcing him to push through a challenging race. Despite this experience, he remains willing to use the cool suit in upcoming races, even though the technology poses risks if it fails in hot conditions. Seeking improvement, he has decided to test the method used by Elliott, hoping it brings some relief.
“I think he runs some device called the Chibi, which is like a little like a pad thing that goes over the core, and I think it connects to like a fan sort of thing. So I’m going to try that this weekend just to see what it feels like.”
– Kyle Larson, Driver
This shift reflects an ongoing push for innovation among drivers as they adapt to the challenges presented by the Next Gen cars and their overheating cockpits. The adjustments not only reflect trial and error but also drivers’ willingness to exchange solutions for shared problems on track.
History Behind the Chibi Device
While Larson credits Chase Elliott for using the Chibi as an alternative cool-down solution, Elliott himself acknowledged that this is not a novel idea to the current generation of drivers. The approach has lineage in NASCAR history, showing how technology and techniques are passed from one era to the next for better comfort and safety.
“It was something Jimmie used to run back in the day. I adopted it from something that he did.”
– Chase Elliott, Driver
The Chibi system serves as an add-on, combining a pad and a small fan to provide targeted cooling. Unlike the cool shirt mechanism that circulates chilled liquid around the driver’s body, the Chibi offers an alternative airflow-based solution. This pursuit of personal cooling methods has become more prominent as extreme temperatures have impacted not just NASCAR, but also other racing series such as Formula 1, where similar systems were recently adopted after high-heat events like the Qatar Grand Prix.
Understanding Why Cool Suits Fail in Competition
Cool shirts function comparably to a car radiator, relying on chilled fluid flowing through pipes integrated into the suit via a small pump. When operating correctly, this keeps drivers at a safe, manageable temperature; failures, however, can quickly become hazardous. If the pump stops working, coolant is not circulated, removing any external means for the driver to beat the heat—a problem only compounded by the suit’s low airflow and thickness.
Common malfunction points include pump failure, which halts coolant delivery throughout the suit, or interruptions within the tubing—hoses may disconnect from the pump or kink as the driver adjusts position during the race. Either problem makes staying cool impossible, as Larson experienced at COTA, directly affecting both performance and driver well-being.
Implications and the Way Forward for Drivers
Larson is not shying away from the cool shirt solution; instead, he’s looking to refine and optimize it through experimentation with the Chibi system. With the next race set in Phoenix, where the weather should be milder than COTA, drivers may be able to better manage cockpit conditions, either with or without cool suit systems in place. As innovation continues, and as racers like Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson share practical tricks to stay cool, others may follow suit, pushing forward the development of more reliable systems for extreme heat scenarios. The ongoing dialogue and sharing of technology ensure these athletes are better equipped for future races, providing safer and more competitive conditions on NASCAR tracks.
Kyle Larson on not reconsidering wearing a cool shirt on hot days after his malfunctioned last week. He is going to try something different this week because he doesn't feel it will be as hot. @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/pk3UylbA6H
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) March 8, 2026
