NASCAR Noise Debate: Following a recent test session at Phoenix Raceway, Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson appears to support the controversial changes to mufflers for the NASCAR Next Gen Cup cars. The test included a short-track package with varied aero devices for the seventh-generation racer, with the addition of exhaust mufflers being among the elements under evaluation.
Exhaust mufflers serve to diminish a racecar’s ‘loudness,’ akin to their function in road cars, primarily targeting the engine noise emanating from the current straight-through side pipes. Moreover, employing mufflers could offer supplementary benefits, including improved heat management in the driver’s cabin and the exhaust piping area.
Participating in this week’s test, Kyle Larson, the #5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 driver and Cup Series champion, expressed alignment with NASCAR’s initiatives. He labeled the current generation cars as excessively loud and emphasized the necessity to tone down their volume for a better fan experience. After testing the proposed mufflers and speaking with Cole Cusumano, Larson commented:
“I can definitely tell a sound difference which I like. I definitely think our racecars are way too loud, and probably are still too loud with the mufflers. I think the cars could be quieter just to help the fan experience.”
While NASCAR has been synonymous with the thunderous noise of V8 engines on the track, Larson’s viewpoint suggests a potential shift toward reducing noise levels, especially considering feedback from drivers who have deemed the Next Gen cars the loudest ever.
Former NASCAR Cup Series driver and two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip echoed Larson’s sentiments about NASCAR’s current noise levels. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Waltrip advocated for mufflers on cars, highlighting that the sound of one car isn’t the sole crucial factor as multiple cars follow suit.
However, the move to quieten NASCAR has faced resistance from some fans online. Whether Kyle Larson’s and Michael Waltrip’s desires regarding noise reduction will materialize in the sport’s future remains uncertain.
ALSO READ: Kyle Larson Controversial Remarks: Dissecting NASCAR’s Noise Levels
