Posture

• But how many truly grasp the physical and mental strain placed on the drivers?
• Our research team from the University of Florida and Michigan State University is collaborating with NASCAR to better understand the stressors drivers experience on the track.
• We’ve learned that professional drivers need extraordinary physical and mental stamina to compete in major racing series such as NASCAR, IndyCar and Formula One.
• But unlike other athletes, race car drivers compete in full-body safety gear while sitting in a piping hot car for hours at a time.

Not your mom’s minivan

• First, the physical effort of driving a race car is much greater than that of driving your family car.
• Turning and braking require more force due to the high speeds and the unique engineering of race cars.
• Drivers control the vehicle by constantly engaging the muscles of the arms, upper body and legs.
• “Imagine a string tied to your hand where you have to pull that 35 pounds up or down constantly,” he added.

Bodies pushed to the limit

• A massive amount of heat is generated by the race car engine, exhaust, brakes and tires.
• These sources heat the cockpit and the driver, especially in cars with roofs like stock cars.
• In summer, cockpit temperatures can exceed 135 degrees Fahrenheit (57 Celsius), leading to profuse sweating, dehydration and even heatstroke.
• Instead, technologies used to combat the heat include hoses that bring fresh air into driver helmets and cool-shirts worn by drivers.
• While the outcome is unpredictable, the drivers will be pushing their bodies – in addition to their cars – to their limits.