Qualities Needed by NASCAR Drivers

Operating a vehicle at speeds of up to 190 miles per hour on the same track as 42 other cars can require a tremendous amount of skill and ability.

  1. Misconceptions

    • Many people believe that there are no skills required to be a NASCAR driver. This is a common misunderstanding, mainly coming from those who have never invested time in understanding the sport.

    Vision

    • Both central and peripheral vision are two of the most important aspects required to drive 190 mph, let alone the 60mph that you do every day on the highway.

    Reflexes

    • Often times, cars wreck on the track. At such high speeds, even 10 car lengths is a very short distance. Drivers must be able to brake and turn into the correct direction with incredible reaction speed.

    Endurance

    • Drivers must be able to remain seated, focused and quick for several hours during a 400- or 500-mile race. Not only do temperatures inside the car rise to over 100 degrees, but to make matters worse and more uncomfortable, drivers are also equipped in a fire suit.

    Strength

    • If power steering fails in a driver's car, it requires a very significant amount of strength in order to turn while maintaining adequate speed.

    Knowledge

    • In addition to physical abilities, drivers must also know everything there is to know about cars, tires, and everything else that goes into racing. This knowledge is necessary in order to build the best car for each specific track and different weather condition.