The Next Gen race car has been under serious scrutiny by the NASCAR community itself. One of the biggest criticisms is that it’s turning out to be an aerodynamic, heavy machine with less powerful engines. However, former NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip made a rather unique demand with the Next Gen car, to reduce the decibel level and sounds made by the engine of the race car.

Taking to his X account, Waltrip wrote, “I’ve been an advocate of turning down the deafening noise of the engines for years. They are ridiculously loud. I proposed handing the sound of the cars project off to manufacturer partners. Create a decibel level that engines must meet. Give each brand their own unique sound.”

A similar sentiment was shared by Irish-Australian automotive businessman Roland Dane, who recently experienced NASCAR Cup Series racing at Sonoma. Dane was rooting for his V8 Supercars driver, and to his joy, Shane van Gisbergen delivered quite a winning show. Dane was looking to compare the two series and see what they could learn from each other. And in his critique, he highlighted how the robust sound of engines is something NASCAR needs to put a tab on.

“Their cars are simply too noisy. The straight-through pipes are deafening to the point of discomfort, even when some distance away. They share this trait with MotoGP. Both disciplines would do well; just knock off the decibels. The family sitting next to me in the grandstands, huge F1 and IndyCar fans, left their first NASCAR event halfway simply because they and their kid couldn’t handle the noise,” Dane said in his report via Speedcafe.

NASCAR has been doing its part in trying to develop its own EV race car in a bid to attract more OEMs like Honda. But all of this has been relatively kept under wraps or behind the scenes, as fans of the sport certainly wouldn’t want to do away with their traditional race cars. Therefore, when Michael Waltrip was tired of suggesting a change that could potentially work in favor of sports, fans were quick to shun his ideas and demands around a silent racecar engine.

Fans react to Waltrip’s demand for quieter race cars for NASCAR

NASCAR race cars can produce sounds that exceed 100 decibels, which can lead to permanent loss of hearing without ear protection. But despite that, it is the sensation of thunderous sound and the throttle of engines that has got most of the fans hooked on NASCAR racing. Therefore, many of them were straight up against the idea of tampering with the engines of the Next-Gen car, “hell no louder the better”

In the world of auto racing, NASCAR’s fuel-chugging V8s aren’t the loudest, in fact, they are nowhere near the kings of loud vehicles, dragsters. An NHRA Top Fuel or Funny Car would certainly take home the prize for blowing the eardrums. Highlighting this aspect, another user argued, “Good lord don’t get near a drag race then. I know it is not for as long of time but ear protection is available. That is part of the thrill of racing”

Frustrated and fed up with the growing demands to change NASCAR’s blueprint, a fan added, “I hear the electric cars are quiet, maybe we should race those. Hell let’s just do all the racing on computers then there’s no loud noises or risk of being injured in crash”

There’s been a growing resurgence among the higher-ups in NASCAR to attract new viewers to the sport. To aid the new audience, the sport is going to extreme lengths. Predicting Waltrip’s demands might come true sooner or later, a hardcore traditional fan lashed out with his comments, stating, “Yes, take away the roar. Since I cut back once the playoff was implemented then stopped watching completely when stages were introduced, I am sure this is a great way to chase off remaining fans”

Others argued that earplugs provide an easy solution for those who cannot handle the decibel levels. But the idea to essentially turn the race car practically mute wasn’t appreciated. “This is such an awful take let’s take one of the unique traits of nascar and replace it with some corny mufflers come on wear your ear protection or don’t that’s the choice you have had for years and that’s the choice you should still have”

NASCAR is synonymous with the sounds of roaring engines, for sure. But it’s not a wild thought or idea to subdue the current noise level—a move that could pay off in the long term with new viewers and fans.