LEBANON – The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory in the Nashville area as temperatures climbed Saturday into the mid-90s with a heat index of 105.
How hot was it inside a NASCAR car in the Xfinity Series Tennessee Lottery 250 at Nashville Superspeedway?
A check during the second stage of the race revealed it was 129 degrees inside A.J. Allmendinger’s No. 16 Chevrolet. Allmendinger was running second on Lap 85 of the race at the time. The outside temperature under an intense sun was 94 degrees.
Saturday’s race was the hottest day of the 2024 NASCAR season so far.
Most NASCAR drivers wear cool suits while they race on days like Saturday. Cold water circulates through the suit and absorbs heat from the driver.
At one point in Saturday’s race, however, Riley Herbst’s cool suit malfunctioned and the circulating cold water turned hot. Herbst’s cool suit was drained during the stage break.
Scorching temperatures remain in the forecast for Sunday’s Ally 400 Cup race. (2:30 p.m. CST, NBC). The uncomfortable conditions were a hot topic among the Cup drivers.
“Certainly, everyone is doing everything they can to hydrate themselves,” said Denny Hamlin, who won the pole. “But some people take heat better than others. That’s a factor. That has to weigh on you in some shape or form.”
Staying hydrated is a key for all drivers.
“I’m sure everyone trains differently,” William Byron said. “Just hydrating, training – all the things you feel like your body needs to do better. That’s what’s on display this weekend. It’s a true test for all of us.”
Reach Mike Organ at 259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: How hot is it in a NASCAR driver’s car? Close to 130 degrees
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