Kyle Larson wants NASCAR to make cars quieter: 'Our race cars are way too loud'

The newest offseason controversy is out. This time, it has to do with NASCAR and mufflers. Kyle Larson wants cars to be quieter. For those who have been to a NASCAR race, you know how loud it is. That’s part of the appeal, but have the Next Gen cars become too loud?

While NASCAR was at Phoenix Raceway this week for a short track test, they messed around with the mufflers. Rearranging the ductwork, NASCAR was hoping to improve heat issues in the car for drivers as well as reduce the noise made by the cars.

Amid the changes, Kyle Larson seemed to appreciate the muffler swap the most. He said that as far as cooling goes, he didn’t notice a difference in the car. However, the sound was the takeaway for him.

“I haven’t felt, really, a heat difference. I could definitely tell a sound difference, which I like,” Larson said, via NASCAR.com. Larson continued, “I definitely think our race cars are way too loud – and probably are still too loud with the mufflers. … I think the cars could be quieter to help the fan experience.”

Now, that sounds scary to some. People hear “quieter” and they immediately think “silent” or “electric.” But if you’ve heard these new cars in person, they are deafening. At a superspeedway, it isn’t that big of a deal, you get a break as the cars drive a mile away from you or more.

When you get on these small tracks, places like Richmond, Bristol, Martinsville – the noise is unavoidable. Even hearing protection can only do so much for extended periods of time.

For what it’s worth, here is a side-by-side of the two different muffler set ups.

For comparison, left is a new muffler and right is from yesterday. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/kDjBkmep9G

— Cole Cusumano (@Cole_Cusumano_) December 6, 2023

As NASCAR plans to make moves to Nashville Fairgrounds and other urban venues, noise levels will be a big deal for cities, new fans, and keeping locals happy.

Kyle Larson didn’t feel much of a difference during test

Besides the noise difference, there wasn’t much else Kyle Larson noticed in the various runs. Different splitters, tires, none of that made a difference. At least not a significant one for Larson. To be fair, Ryan Blaney felt a lot of changes.

However, for the Hendrick Motorsports driver, it was all the same.

“I’m not really into the technical side of it,” Larson said, via Kickin the Tires. “I’m just out there driving and not necessarily putting two and two together, but nothing seems way different to me. Ride quality and stuff changed with the different splitter, but I don’t know how it races any differently in traffic or anything like that.”

So, what did we learn from the Phoenix test? Not a whole lot. Erik Jones liked the new tires. Blaney liked the splitter change. Then you have Larson who didn’t really think it was all that different.

We also learned that NASCAR is still avoiding an increase in power. Even as drivers and teams continue to harp the costs aren’t much lower and the race quality has taken a hit. Will NASCAR have to face the music and put more horsepower into the cars before long?