Last Updated on August 29, 2023 by Pittalks
“Whenever I have to go pee during a race, I just think about my target and let it flow.” – Dale Earnhardt Jr.
It’s not as easy as it sounds, though, as drivers are often battling G-forces that can reach up to 3Gs. For example, if a driver weighs 200 pounds, they would feel like they’re carrying 600 pounds on their body. So while racing and having to relieve yourself may not be the easiest thing in the world.
In this article, we will explore how Nascar drivers pee during the race and do they wear diapers, use a catheter, or something else entirely?
Do NASCAR drivers wear diapers?
Some people may think that Nascar drivers wear diapers during the race, but that is not the case. Diapers are flammable and can easily catch on fire, and it’d be dangerous for the drivers to wear them.
So, how do Nascar drivers pee during the race? They use bottles (if there are any) or just go in the suit. It’s not a common occurrence, but it does happen from time to time.
Even if diapers have zero risk, I don’t think any Nascar drivers would wear them or at least admit that.
So, how do NASCAR drivers pee?
If not a diaper, and without wetting yourself, where does that leave our drivers? Do they opt for a catheter, a bottle, or something else entirely different? Let’s get into it, shall we?
Are modern race suits designed for easy bathroom access?
In my experience, no race suit ever is designed for convenience, the effort to go to the bathroom in a race suit is quit the affair. I mean, think about it, safety is usually the priority right? Let alone in a high-stakes, dangerous environment like a NASCAR race. Plus, if it were that simple we wouldn’t have anything left to discuss, would we?
Do NASCAR drivers pee into a catheter? Should they?
Believe it or not, NASCAR drivers do not wear catheters while racing. Yes, you read that right. No catheters!
Now, I know what you’re wondering next: “But how do they manage to hold it in for so long?” Well, the answer lies in their intense training and preparation. NASCAR drivers are elite athletes who train their bodies to endure the demands of racing. They maintain strict diets and hydration schedules to ensure their bodies are in top form. With all that preparation, the need to pee during a race is often minimal.
But what if nature really does call? What then? Well, here’s where things get a bit… messy. Some drivers have admitted to the occasional ‘accident’ while in their race cars. Yep, sometimes when the race is on the line and stopping isn’t an option, they just let it go. It’s not ideal, not by a long shot but hey, when you gotta go, you gotta go!
So there you have it! No catheters for NASCAR drivers but plenty of discipline and the occasional uncomfortable scenario. It’s all part of what makes NASCAR racing so thrillingly unpredictable! Don’t you just love it?
Related article: How long is a NASCAR race?
Randy Pobst – He used a bottle
Randy Pobst, a two-time winner of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, had a very interesting way of relieving himself during a race.
Back in that day, he was in a rainy race and had more than 2 hours of the yellow flag. Other cars ran out of fuel and they started to pit. But he did not pit because he had no reason to do that. That’s was before the “call of nature.”
“The call of nature is no longer knocking on the door, the call of nature is pounding on the door”, he said. “Out of the 60 cars, I’m probably tenth or better, because I’ve been out for 2 hours and I never pit and I’m not gonna…but I’m gotta, gotta pee!”
“The race is always the first priority. You must win! And I’m not gonna pit, and I’m not gonna pee in my pants either.”
So, he tried to think of something more “creative”. And he came up with a solution – loosen the seat belt, pee out of the window. But he did not even try it out.
“The roll cage is pretty high on the side of the seat and I don’t have a fire hose to work with. So I don’t even try, this is not gonna go well.”
Eventually, he found a spray bottle of soapy water (drivers use soapy water to get a better vision on rainy races). He dumped the fluid out and pee in it.
“I take the lid off…I open the door and dump out the bottle. I’m thinking of the guy behind me,” he laughed. “I unzip my suit, and I’m driving with my knee, and I’m relieving myself into this bottle.”
“Oh, what a relief it is!”
Other Nascar drivers – When you gotta go, you gotta go!
Elliott Sadler, the driver of the No. 10 Chevrolet Camaro for Kaulig Racing, knows how it feels when you have to go during a race.
“Well, number 1 or number 2? Number 1, yes, I’m not ashamed to say yes.” Elliott explained “You drank so many fluids, trying not to be dehydrated. And sometimes, you gotta go, you gotta go. “
On the other hand, this is something you really want to avoid. Brendan Gaughan said “You don’t do that in Nascar, the ambient temperature of a Nascar is around 130. You’re basically cooking yourself so you don’t want to add water to that seat.”
Heat is also a factor that makes drivers less likely to have the urge. The more they sweat, the more their body lose fluids. In fact, Nascar drivers can lose up to 10 pounds because of sweating.
For that reason, peeing during the race is not quite common. But it’s definitely not rare either as a typical Nascar race can last up to four hours.
You probably see many drivers run to the bathroom right after the national anthem. They do that before the race to avoid any “accidents.”
How do NASCAR drivers hydrate then?
Well, in order to avoid peeing drivers typically start hydrating well before the race, ensuring they are adequately hydrated before getting into the car.
During the race however, they use specially designed water systems installed in their cars. These systems allow them to take small sips of water through a straw attached to their helmets.
Here’s an idea of how these systems work, albeit likely a bit more complex for live-action races:
The water is stored in a bladder within the car and is delivered in controlled amounts to avoid overconsumption.
How about number 2 during the race?
Throughout Nascar history, there must be someone who had to go number 2 during the race, right?
We never know.
All we know is that if something prevents drivers from winning, they will find a way to get rid of it. And we’re better not to think about that.
And of course, what they eat before the race must be considered too.
Thai or Mexican food is the worst idea! You don’t want to eat those. Martin Truex Jr. said “There’s a lot of things you probably shouldn’t eat. Anything spicy is probably a bad idea. I keep it simple: Chicken and rice, maybe steak and rice, a little salad. Nothing too heavy that’s going to upset your stomach, obviously.”
Conclusion
Winning the race is always the first priority. Choosing between the first position and a little accident inside the pants? It’s is a no-brainer!
That’s how Nascar drivers pee during the race. They find a way to win, no matter what! What do you think about this? Leave a comment below!
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