How NASCAR drivers cope with temperatures over 130 F during a race

The weather can play a significant role in NASCAR races, especially during the summer months when races are held on hot and sunny afternoons.

While rain can wreak havoc on race-day events, the temperature is just as important and can impact the way the cars and drivers perform.

“It’s usually about 30 to 40 degrees [Fahrenheit] hotter inside the car than the outside ambient temperature,“ said David Ragan, a driver in NASCAR’s premier division for 11 years.

This means that if it is 90 F and sunny for a Sunday afternoon race, the temperature inside the car can climb over 130 F inside the car.

“We don’t have air conditioners inside our race cars. We do have a little bit of fresh air that we pull from outside the race car that’s filtered with carbon monoxide filters, so it is nice to breath at least some clean air, but it’s not cold by any means,“ Ragan said.

Many NASCAR races last for more than three hours, meaning that the drivers are exposed to the extreme heat for an extended period of time. This can be very dangerous, especially if they do not stay hydrated.

“During a race I lose 5 to 7 pounds about every weekend [from sweating],” Ragan said.

It is imperative for drivers to properly hydrate on the days leading up to a race, as well as during a race, to avoid dehydration.

“A few times throughout the course of my career I have gotten dehydrated where I started cramping really bad,“ Ragan added.

If dehydration gets really bad, or if a driver comes down with another illness, they are able to go to the health center at the track to be treated by medical professionals.

Fans in the grandstands should also be sure to stay hydrated to avoid becoming ill, especially those who consume alcohol during the race.

Although drivers drink plenty of water and are not able to get out of their cars until after the checkered flag has waved, the urge to use the bathroom during the race is typically not an issue.

“Generally you sweat out so much you don’t have to go. In over 11 years of racing in the NASCAR cup series, I’ve never had to go to the bathroom bad enough to go [during a race],” Ragan said.

The temperature also plays a crucial role in how the car handles during a race and how well the driver can navigate around the racetrack.

“Track temperature affects performance greatly by changing the friction capabilities of the tires,” said Dr. Eric Warren, Richard Childress Racing’s chief technology officer.

“Typically when the track is cooler, the car is able to [drive through the corner] faster because the tires are cooler and provide more grip,“ Warren added.

Races that start during the day and end after sunset can be particularly challenging for divers and their team of engineers as they try to anticipate how the car will change as the temperature drops.

“The car sometimes can significantly change behavior at the start of a race in the later afternoon that then runs into a cooler night,” Warren said.

This includes races such as the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, North Carolina, NASCAR’s longest race of the year that starts in the afternoon heat and ends well after the sun has set.

“Ambient temperature, and more specifically the air density, also affects the aerodynamics of the car and the engine performance,” Warren said.

Folks attending races should also pay close attention to the weather leading up to, during, and following the race, especially when rain or thunderstorms are in the forecast.

“Weather is very important to a lot of different factors in motor sports [and] I think obviously rain is the biggest,“ Ragan said.

Any amount of rain can cause a race to be put on hold for several hours as driving at fast speeds on a wet, slick surface can be dangerous. Once the rain has stopped, NASCAR’s Air Titans are used to dry the track surface before racing can resume.

If heavy rain lasts throughout most of the day, the race may be postponed and moved to another date, typically the day following when the race was originally scheduled to be held.

Severe weather can also force fans to evacuate the stands and seek shelter until conditions improve. When headed to the track, people should know where they need to go in case severe weather strikes.

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