Christopher Bell brought up a hot topic in NASCAR on Wednesday.
A literally hot topic.
NASCAR is considering using mufflers on its cars for races in major cities like Chicago and Los Angeles. Six race teams tested the mufflers, along with a few other minor modifications, at Phoenix Raceway on Wednesday.
Bellwho finished third in the NASCAR Cup Series ranking last season, said the mufflers significantly increased the heat inside his car. This is concerning given that car interiors can reach 140 degrees.
“It was hot, hot, hot, hot, hot,” Bell told Fox Sports reporter Bob Pockrass. “It was a great comparison between yesterday without a silencer and today with a silencer. Just in the garage, sitting there during the changes, it was very hot today, and yesterday it was nothing. Even at the end of the test (today) we took the silencers off and I didn’t even sweat anymore.
“Today it was 50 degrees and everyone was bundled up in hoodies, and I’m in the car sweating. Every other driver felt the same way. It’s going to be super hot if we take the same package and go racing anywhere.
This situation might not pose a problem at NASCAR Busch light shock at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, a night race in February. But the heat would be a problem Chicago Street Race on July 2, as the temperature at race time could be in the 80s or even 90s.
That’s why they’re doing these pre-season tests, to sort out these potential issues.
On a positive note, Bell said the mufflers made the cars “much quieter” in the garage area, although he couldn’t notice any difference on the track.
