Every so often, NASCAR looks for ways to improve the product and make things more entertaining for fans. Not every idea makes it to implementation but they at least get considered and one idea is getting a bunch of attention.
NASCAR is considering making the cars quieter in order for fans to be able to talk to each other and be more sociable. (In Charlie Kelly’s voice) “Is your race car making too much noise all the time?”
On the surface, this makes sense. NASCAR stock cars are loud as do many 900 horsepower V-8 engines so putting a muffler system on the cars would help minimize noise and help fans enjoy a better experience.
But at the same time, the noise is a part of the experience and that would be lost if NASCAR were to go through with this. A similar thing happened in Formula 1 where cars changed from a V-8 to a V-6 hybrid engine. F1 wanted to develop hybrid engines with renewable energy for environmental reasons, but the car noise was an unintended consequence. The noise has been universally hated by fans, media and drivers and everyone wants the volume turned up.
You can hear the comparison from the V-8 to the V-6, it’s certainly a shift.
This isn’t to say I hate quieter engines in auto racing. Formula E has all-electric engines and they obviously make no sound. It sounds a bit strange but the lack of engine noise works here because it’s at least genuine and would look even worse if electric cars piped in engine noises. Also, sometimes not hearing the engine and only hearing the screeching of the tires as someone is attempting to make a pass on another driver is pretty cool.
But making NASCAR stock car engines quieter would take away a large part of the experience for many fans and gives the perception that things aren’t as they seem. 900 horsepower V-8 engines are supposed to make lots of noise, it’s hard not to with all that power. Hearing that engine with the decibel level that would allow you to talk to the person next to you would really be unfortunate.
I find it hard to believe NASCAR would actually go through with this. It’s an idea, it’s in the early stages and a system may be tested, but I don’t think it gets to the point where we as fans are hearing quieter engines in NASCAR races. If NASCAR does make this change, hopefully it will be in the name of safety and it’s an attempt to help prevent possible hearing loss among drivers. If it’s in the name of safety, I may not like the change but can at least accept it. If NASCAR makes this change in the name of entertainment, I’m not not seeing the appeal and NASCAR would lose more value than it would gain.
