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NASCAR REQUIRES STRENGTH + ENDURANCE

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NASCAR: THE PHYSCIAL CHALLENGES

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    Imagine the physical and mental challenges of this scenario: you are a NASCAR driver traveling at more than 175 mph, just inches away from other drivers also piloting their 3,400-lb machines. The sun is shining in your eyes, your car isn’t handling well and it’s 90 degrees and humid. And as you head into a turn with sharp banking three seconds, the high G-forces put added pressure on your body.

    Source: SportsMD.com

Make no mistake, navigating traffic at a high rate of speed is both physically and mentally demanding.

Q1:

If I can drive a regular car, why cant I also drive a NASCAR?

HOW DO PROFESSIONAL NASCAR DRIVERS TRAIN?

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    I’ve really been having fun trying to build some power, so I’ve been doing everything—explosive movements, a lot of jump squats, jump lunges, box jumps, explosive pushup drills, and things like that. I spent a lot of time on the bicycle and that’s been great. I’ve also worked really closely with a good friend of mine, Rob Hullett. Rob runs an MMA gym, and that training has really helped me, and I combine that with weights a couple of times a week.

    Source: MensJournal.com

In a Mens Journal 2016 article Nascar driver Carl Edwards highlights his workout routine.

A1:

Although of course the same mechanics of driving remain, NASCAR requires extreme endurance and physical toughness.

THE PHYSICS OF NASCAR?

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    Taking a turn at Bristol (Motor Speedway) at 110 mph creates about 3.3G of lateral force on the driver. That’s comparable to the force astronauts felt on the Space Shuttle as it took off. Of course, the astronauts felt it for a minute. NASCAR drivers feel that force nine seconds out of every 15 for 500 laps (266.5 miles).


    Taking a turn at Bristol (Motor Speedway) at 110 mph creates about 3.3G of lateral force on the driver. That’s comparable to the force astronauts felt on the Space Shuttle as it took off. Of course, the astronauts felt it for a minute. NASCAR drivers feel that force nine seconds out of every 15 for 500 laps (266.5 miles).

    Source: BuidlingSpeed.com

G - Forces

1G
5 - 10s

3Gs
5 - 10s

3Gs
60 - 100s

Q2:

Are there differences in the feeling of NASCAR turns and the Space Shuttle? They both have equivelent forces on the body.

ASTRONOMICAL G-FORCES, FOR 500 LAPS

POWER, SPEED, CONDITIONING

EVERY LAP IS A PHYSCIAL BATTLE

NASCAR IS A SPORT

Track_03 NASCA R i s n ’ t j u s t f o r y o u r e v e r y d a y p e r s o n . . . . T h e r e i s p a i n and sacrifice involved i n t t h e s p o r t . N A S C A R i s n ’ t j u s t f o r y o u r e v e r y d a y p e rson...

WHAT ARE THE PHYSICAL DEMANDS
 OF THE COCKPIT?

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    The temperatures in the driver's cockpit of a NASCAR race car can reach around 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine this temperature with a 500-lap race at 200 mph along with lack of air flow and you will see that NASCAR driver physical conditioning to build in endurance is critical.


    Oxygen is a problem too. Since the cars are very aerodynamic so as to increase speed, the air is guided around the car but does not reach the inside. The driver's cockpit is not pressurized like an aircraft. So, the driver has to be able to process what oxygen he gets very efficiently. Therefore, NASCAR driver physical conditioning will include aerobic exercises so as to optimize the processing of oxygen by the body.

    Source: StreetDirectory.com

A look at the differences between a regular car and the cockpit of a NASCAR

A2:

The forces on the body are the same, however NASCAR drivers experience this four times every lap, for 500 consecutive laps. Along with the lack of oxygen and it can get very extreme!

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