About Stooge Expertise 8 year crew member, 25 year NASCAR historian with VAST collection of
NASCAR data (stats, photos, old magazines, books, programs). I know all
or can find all about NASCAR Winston Cup trivia, including stats, driver
facts, race records, pit & inspection info, pics of old cars and
drivers, etc.
Experience Almost 40 year fan, 8 years on pit crew, high traffic NASCAR website, hundreds of old info sources including pics
Education/Credentials Life: lived it for 8 years, been following it for almost 40 years, been to more than 200 races, worked shoulder to shoulder with many of the drivers and crewmen of the present and past, been quoted in magazines and newspapers, website listed in a book, had picture published in Nextel Cup Scene (was Grand National Scene back then). *Just quoted in a Las Vegas magazine last month (Feb/March '07) about the Vegas race*
Question My family and I are committed NASCAR fans,,, we rarely miss a race, and my Dad watches the truck races when we are working. We have a question about the drivers while they are driving. The drivers are in the cars for a very long time, sometimes up to 4 or 5 hours at a time. We know they have to stay hydrated, however, after awhile I'm sure they have to relieve themselves,,, we were wondering just how this happens? We did come up with the thought that maybe they have a tub hook to a bag taped to their leg or something..... thank you for your help
Answer Ahh, the old "what do they do when they gotta pee?" question. I get this one about once a year.
OK, first, most of the races are 3 to 4 hours of actual "car" time and most of us are able to go 3-4 hours without wetting ourselves. I am an emergency room nurse now and often go 6 or more hours without having time to get to a bathroom.
Second, at most races it is so hot inside the cockpit that drivers can lose anywhere from 5-15 lbs of perspiration (Richard Petty was tested once in the mid 70's and as skinny as he was he lost 15 lbs in one race). So that loss of fluids helps to keep the bladder level down.
And third, if all else fails there have been incidences when the driver just has to wet himself, there are no in car bags, empty bottles or urine containment systems.
