NASCAR has banned spectators from bringing cooler boxes to the racetrack, or at least many racetracks, in recent years. Due to this, spectators cannot take ice packs or hard sized coolers with them to the track. This has left many NASCAR fans wondering how they’ll be able to stay cool while watching a race on a scorching day. without paying a fortune for a coke or a ice cold beer.
There are numerous ways to stay cool at a NASCAR racetrack, such as drinking lots of water. A mesh hat and breathable clothing will help keep your body temperature down. Taking a portable fan and a towel with can also help you beat the heat at a race. Sunscreen and sunglasses should also be used.
While you won’t be able to take all cooler boxes with you to a NASCAR race, there are still various ways you stay cool and comfortable. After all, you want to enjoy your track-side experience. This article will outline eight of the best ways to stay cool at a NASCAR track!
We do have a link below highlighting which cooler boxes you can still take to a NASCAR track.
8 Ways To Stay Cool At A NASCAR Racetrack
If you’re looking for the best ways to stay cool at a NASCAR track, we’ve got you covered!
1. Drink Lots Of Water
Water is one of the best ways to stay cool on the sidelines at a NASCAR race. While you’re sweating in the stands, you might feel somewhat cooled. After all, sweating is a natural way for your body to cool down. However, it can also dehydrate you – especially in scorching weather.
By keeping yourself hydrated throughout the race, just like the drivers, you can prevent becoming dehydration and help your body stay cool. You should take your own water with you to the racetrack. Doing this will also ensure that you don’t miss any important moments on the track!
You could also get rehydration fluids if its really going to be a scorcher, but water is free and most tracks have water fountains around for you to use and refill your water bottles.
2. Take Your Hat With You
Hats are a fantastic way of protecting your scalp on a hot day. However, many hats can also cause your head to feel hotter, as it inhibits the evaporative aspect of sweating. This can leave you feeling uncomfortable while watching the race.
Many have even tried putting ice in their hats. While this may seem like an ingenious idea, it has the opposite effect. Mesh hats that allow air to pass through them are the best type of hat to take with you to the NASCAR race. A white mesh trucker hat
is the perfect hat to take with you! White makes the sun bounce back. The rule of thumb is the darker the color the more sunlight it will absorb and the hotter your head will get.
if yo are worried about it being a fashion statment, then don’t be, people there are to watch the race not you, its NOT Royal ascot!
3. Use Portable Fans
While watching a race from the sidelines, portable fans are an excellent way to stay cool! By taking a portable handheld fan along with you, you can circulate the air around you to stay cool. When a fan’s air touches your skin, it can help lower your body temperature. Many people are shocked by the vast number of portable fans available today!
You could opt for a mini handheld fan that’s easy to use while you’re outdoors. However, there are also rechargeable portable fans with misting capabilities, allowing you to spray yourself with water to cool down. You might decide to opt for a wearable fan, which features a headphone-like design that positions air outlets around your neck. We have all three and personally love the misting ones the most.
4. Dress In Light, Cool Clothing
When you’re planning what to wear to a NASCAR race, you should choose clothes that are comfortable and practical. If you’re expecting hot weather, breathable clothing is advised. Cotton is the ideal material to choose, as it is lightweight and breathable. Linen and rayon are other great materials to consider.
Of course, these types of clothes will allow you to stay cool. The more breathable your clothing is, the better it will be able to absorb sweat and help you cool down. Of course, you should still take a jacket or sweater in case the weather unexpectedly changes.
5. Take Towels With You
While packing a sweater, just in case it gets cold, you’ll want to pack a towel to take with you! While spectating a NASCAR race, the metal bleachers can become extremely hot. If you’re wearing short pants or light clothing, this metal can make you feel even hotter.
By taking a towel with, you can prevent your skin from touching the bleachers. Your towel can even function as a makeshift seat cushion if you forget to take your own. You might even want to take an extra sweat towel or handkerchief if it’s a truly blistering day. Towels can keep you cool in more ways than one!
6. Keep Pulse Points Cool
By cooling certain pulse points on your body, you can effectively lower your body temperature. As we mentioned earlier, NASCAR no longer allows fans to take coolers with to the racetrack. In turn, this means fans cannot take icepacks with for when the weather becomes unbearable.
Luckily, a cold bottle of water can also be used to cool these points down. You can take a cold bottle of water and apply it to your wrist, ankles, neck, and temples. You could even wet a sweat towel with water and apply it to these pulse points to cool yourself down.
7. Be Sure To Use Sunscreen
When attending a NASCAR race, you’re going to be sitting in the sun for around three hours. You should apply sunscreen before the race begins to ensure you’re properly protected from the sun’s UV rays. You’ll want to make sure you don’t forget to pack sunscreen for when you inevitably sweat it off.
However, wearing sunscreen at a race will do more than protect your skin – it’ll help you stay cool. One study that was done by the American Physiological Society revealed that using sunscreen helps maintain your skin’s nitric oxide levels. When these levels drop, your body’s temperature rises. Luckily, using sunscreen can prevent these levels from dropping.
8. Pack Your Sunglasses
The sun’s harsh UV rays can do more than make you sweat: these rays can damage your eyes! That’s why you should wear sunglasses while spectating a NASCAR race. By wearing sunglasses, you can protect your eyes. Of course, this may not keep you cool, but you’ll certainly look cooler! though you might end up with Panda eyes if you stay for the whole 500 mile race!
9. Find the Air Conditioned Concessions!
One more for good measure, During stage breaks or simply if you get to hot there are always loads of concessions at NASCAR races and although some are outside, there are plenty that are inside with that lovely air con. Perhaps a quick trip inside will cool you down.
Your temperature is not the only thing you have to protect while you are at the track, make sure you pack or have very good ear protection as well! it gets LOUD! We have some of the better choices below.
Conclusion
Staying cool at a NASCAR racetrack is as simple as drinking plenty of water. You can keep your body temperature down by wearing a mesh hat and breathable clothing. At a race, you can also cool off with a portable fan and towel. Sunscreen and sunglasses are also recommended to combat the sun’s UV rays!
Sources:
https://www.verywellfit.com/drink-more-water-during-hot-weather-2506918
https://www.triathlete.com/gear/will-a-hat-or-visor-keep-you-cooler-on-the-run/
https://www.mulberryscleaners.com/blog/stay-cool-4-best-fabrics-summer/
https://temperaturemaster.com/does-sunscreen-keep-you-cool/
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/04/190407144224.htm
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/ss/slideshow-cool-down-when-hot
