Kyle Larson is pulling no punches, straight up saying he’d be totally fine if NASCAR ripped out those digital mirrors from the Next Gen car. This isn’t just some casual chat, either. He dropped this bomb on “Stacking Pennies with Corey LaJoie and Ryan Flores” this week, and it’s all about how these high-tech systems are making aero blocking way too easy out on the track.
The ‘HD’ Advantage That Makes Defending a Breeze
When the Next Gen car rolled out in 2022, drivers had a choice: stick with the old-school mirror, use the new camera system, or run both. Larson admitted he wasn’t a fan at first. For a year or two, he didn’t even use the camera because the depth perception just wasn’t cutting it for him. But things changed. He got used to it, and that’s where the problem really starts. He confessed, “And now I’m comfortable with it, but yes, it does make blocking way easier.” Think about it: a standard mirror in a race car is vibrating like crazy, making it near impossible to tell exactly where another car is or how close they’re getting. But these digital mirrors? Larson says they’re “locked in solid.” They’re “HD. You can literally see their hands and their eyes. It’s that clear.” Yeah, that’s not exactly fair for the car trying to make a move.
Winning, Losing, and Why the System Has to Go
This whole blocking issue isn’t new; it’s been a hot topic in recent Chase races. Remember Las Vegas? Chase Briscoe managed to hold off Larson for the win, and Briscoe himself told NBC Sports how “the aero is such a big deal” when you’re trying to defend a lead. Larson has felt both sides of this coin. He admitted the camera has “definitely won me some races,” but also, “I also feel like I’ve lost some races from it.” Even with Briscoe’s win, Larson isn’t sure the mirror was the sole decider, giving credit where it’s due: “Briscoe is a great defender anyways.” But ultimately, Larson’s stance is crystal clear. He flat-out said, “I don’t even know why we have it,” adding he’d be “fine with it if they wanted to get rid of it.” He’s not alone either; Ty Gibbs went on record back in August saying he “would 100 percent be for” going back to traditional mirrors. With the Next Gen car already drawing heat for how tough it is to pass, these digital mirrors just add another layer to the problem.
So, Kyle Larson is putting it all out there, calling for NASCAR to rethink the digital mirror. If they dump them, it could seriously shake up how drivers defend and make passing less of an impossible mission. The Next Gen car and its passing struggles are a major talking point right now, and if Larson, one of the best in the game, is saying a rule change is needed, NASCAR better be listening.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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