‘You don’t have to be that fit,’ Danica Patrick claims NASCAR drivers don’t have to be physically fit as much as Athletes from other sports to perform at higher level


‘You don’t have to be that fit,’ Danica Patrick claims NASCAR drivers don’t have to be physically fit as much as Athletes from other sports to perform at higher level

Danica Patrick

Danica Patrick is one of the most successful women race car drivers in motorsport history as she made her name with respected performance in the Indy car series, NASCAR, and SRX racing scenes. The retired racer is currently working as a TV analyst and Podcast host also taking a shot at the fashion industry.

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When it comes to sports athletes have to keep their bodies on absolute fitness to produce a championship-winning performance in their primes but when it comes to NASCAR drivers are often able to extend their tenure even though they are physically fit to be categorized as athletes. Now Danica Patrick who was one of the fittest racers during her active years claims that being physically fit is not that much important in NASCAR.  

Find out what Danica Patrick said

Danica Patrick
Danica Patrick

Danica Patrick claims that for a driver to shine in NASCAR Physical fit need not always be the main factor pointing out to drivers such as Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman who don’t have that athletic body specimen but are well respected and appreciated drivers.

“You don’t have to be that fit. Especially in NASCAR, there are some drivers you look at and think that they probably don’t work out that much. Physical fitness is important but then you got guys like Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman and they do just fine,” Danica Patrick said.

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Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman
Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman

She went on to say that NASCAR is like running a marathon so it’s important to have stamina, endurance, and some amount of flexibility. She added that she believes she is more fit than that needed adding these will naturally come with doing your job as a driver correctly.

It’s like running a marathon, with an elevated heart rate. The focus comes from practice, but stamina and hydration are critical. Repetition with the muscles. A general amount of flexibility and some endurance is good. You get conditioned by doing the actual job itself. I am more fit than I need to be to do the job,” Danica Patrick added.

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