NASCAR drivers are some of the most skilled and daring athletes in the world. They race at speeds of over 200 mph, maneuver through tight turns and avoid crashes with dozens of other race cars.
But have you ever wondered what they do behind the wheel? In this article, I will reveal the secrets of NASCAR drivers and answer some of the most common and curious questions that fans have about them.
How do NASCAR drivers see without mirrors?
Imagine driving at 200 mph on a crowded oval, with race cars zooming past you on all sides. How do you keep track of what’s going on behind you?
You can’t just glance at your rearview mirror or side mirror, because guess what? NASCAR cars don’t have any mirrors!
That’s right, no mirrors at all! Why not? Well, it’s for safety reasons. You don’t want those mirrors to fly off and hit someone or something in case of a bump or a crash during a race.
So how do NASCAR drivers see without mirrors? They use two awesome tools: rearview cameras and spotters.
A rearview camera is a cool gadget that shows you a live video of the rear view on a screen on your dashboard.
It gives you a much better view than a regular mirror and you can adjust it to your liking.
A spotter is a person who has your back. Literally. They watch the race from a high spot and talk to you through the radio.
They tell you where the other cars are, especially in your blind spots. These two tools help NASCAR drivers see without mirrors and race like pros.
Do NASCAR drivers listen to music while racing?
You might think that most NASCAR drivers have a boring time in their seats, driving around in race circles for hours.
You might wonder if they spice things up by listening to some tunes while they race. Well, think again! NASCAR drivers do not listen to music while they’re driving in a NASCAR race. No way, no how!
Why not? Because music would be too distracting and dangerous for them. To win, racers need to be fully focused on the race, listening to their crew through a radio in their helmet, and the sounds of their race car, and other race cars around them. When racing at 200 mph, music would be a bad idea.
It would drown out the noise of the engine and make a driver feel disconnected from it. It would also interfere with their communication with their spotters, who help them see what’s happening behind their vehicle, and the pit crew.
Music could also affect their mood and strategy, making them too relaxed or too aggressive.
So, the simple answer: drivers do not listen to music during races. But they might listen to some before a race to get energized or pumped up.
What kind of music do they like? Well, that depends on each driver’s personal taste. Some might prefer rock, some might prefer country, and some might prefer rap. But one thing is for sure: they all prefer the sound of victory!
How do NASCAR drivers do donuts?
You’ve seen it many times: a NASCAR driver wins races and celebrates by doing donuts on the race track.
Donuts are those awesome spins that create a lot of smoke and noise and make the fans go wild. But how do NASCAR drivers do donuts? And why do they do them?
Donuts are not easy to do.
They require a lot of skill and practice.
To do a donut, a NASCAR driver needs to rev up the engine, slam on the brakes, turn the steering wheel sharply, and then release the brakes.
This causes the rear tires to lose traction and spin out, while the front tires keep the car in a circle.
The driver needs to control the throttle and the steering to keep the car spinning and avoid hitting anything.
Donuts are not only fun to do, but also fun to watch. They are a way for NASCAR drivers to express their joy and excitement after winning a race.
They are also a way to thank their fans and sponsors for their support.
Donuts are a tradition that goes through many NASCAR events and dates back to 1998 when Dale Earnhardt did his famous “3” donut after winning his first and only Daytona 500.
Since then, many NASCAR drivers have done donuts after their victories, each with their style and flair.
Many drivers even donuts before the race, as a way to warm up their tires and show off their skills.
Donuts are one of the coolest things about NASCAR races. They are a symbol of success and celebration.
They are a way for drivers to show their personality and passion. They are a way for NASCAR fans to share their happiness and enthusiasm. Donuts are what make NASCAR races so much fun!
Do NASCAR drivers pee during a race?
If you’ve ever watched a NASCAR race, you’ve probably wondered how the drivers manage to use the bathroom while racing. The typical NASCAR race takes about three hours, but sometimes it can take up to four hours (or even five in Coca-Cola 600 race in 2022).
It’s a question that many fans have asked over the years, and the answer might surprise you.
While some race car drivers try to avoid peeing during a NASCAR race by limiting their fluid intake or using a pit stop, others simply let it go in their car.
That’s right, NASCAR drivers pee in a car. And I’m not making this up, I’m quoting one of the greatest NASCAR drivers ever.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. revealed that he pees in his car
A few years back, Dale Earnhardt Jr. (who won 26 races in the Cup Series, including two Daytona 500s, and was voted the most popular NASCAR driver 15 times by the fans) was flying to visit his girlfriend Amy’s family, when he decided to answer some questions from his fans on Twitter.
One of the questions was how often he goes to the bathroom during the longer races. He replied that he does it once or twice a year when he really can’t hold it anymore.
He said that when he has to do it, he just does it in his car: “When ya gotta go ya go”.
While some NASCAR drivers admit to peeing during a race in their car, most drivers deny it or avoid it.
But what solutions do they have to cope with their bladder issues, when nature calls to the bathroom while racing for hours? You might think that NASCAR drivers wear diapers or have a catheter. But is that really the case? Let’s check.
Do NASCAR drivers wear diapers?
So, do NASCAR drivers wear diapers? The answer is no: “NASCAR drivers wear diapers in their car” is a statement that is far from the truth. They say it would be impractical and ineffective, as they sweat a lot and don’t often have to pee or poop during a NASCAR race.
Do NASCAR drivers have a catheter?
The answer is also no, NASCAR drivers do not have a catheter during a race. They say it would be uncomfortable and hazardous, as it could cause infections or trauma if they wreck.
So what do NASCAR drivers do if they have to pee during a race? The answer is simple and unglamorous: they just pee in their car. They don’t use any special equipment or devices – they just do it in race suits that NASCAR drivers wear, which are already soaked with sweat.
This may sound gross, but it’s better than losing focus or time on the race track.
From time to time another driver confesses to peeing in their vehicle, such as the aforementioned Dale Earnhardt, T.Stewart (a three-time Cup champion with 49 wins, including Indy race), Joey Logano (a famous driver, and two-time Cup champion with 32 wins, including a Daytona race) and D.Hamlin (three-time Daytona race winner with 46 Cup victories).
That’s the truth about how NASCAR drivers pee during a race.
But why do they have to endure such discomfort and inconvenience? Why can’t they just stop and go to the bathroom like normal people? Well, because NASCAR is a sport that demands efficiency and speed.
Every second counts in a race and a pit stop can cost a driver several positions or even a win. And because NASCAR drivers have to deal with high temperatures and air conditioning in their cars, they sweat a lot and lose water.
If they don’t drink enough fluids, they can get dehydrated and suffer from fatigue, cramps, or even heat stroke.
So now you may be wondering how a NASCAR driver stays hydrated while avoiding peeing in his fire suit during a long race.
After all, they are in the driver’s seat for hours, and they have to avoid dehydration to endure the heat and the stress. Well, they have some tricks up their sleeves.
Most NASCAR drivers drink sports drinks through a drinking system that allows them to sip water through a tube connected to a bottle, and take salt tablets, which help them keep their water balance and lower their urge to pee.
They also limit how much they drink before and during the race, and they make sure to go to the bathroom before getting in the driver’s seat.
Also, all that training and driving for long periods, with time, stretch your bladder, so having a large bladder is kind of part of the job in stock car racing.
Conclusion
NASCAR is a thrilling sport that attracts millions of fans and drivers who love speed, adrenaline, and competition.
But behind the scenes, there are also some challenges and quirks that make this sport unique and fascinating. Racers have to overcome many obstacles and inconveniences to pursue their passion.
Drivers also have to deal with the risks and dangers of a typical NASCAR race, which can sometimes be fatal. NASCAR is not for the faint of heart, but for those who dare to live on the edge and push their limits.
Most people, whether they are fans or critics of NASCAR, have to admit that it is a sport that requires skill, courage, and endurance. And maybe a good bladder too.
So have you learned something new today? I sure hope so. Until next time, stay hydrated. Oh, and go to the bathroom – you deserve it!
