Jared's Response No, you don't. Professional NASCAR drivers are not chosen based on their academic credentials. They are chosen based on their abilities, expertise, collaboration, and marketability. In other words, they are chosen for what is best for NASCAR.
When it comes to earning a living through stock car racing, there are several ways to go about it. You can become a crew member, an owner, or compete in the race itself. Some people choose to work their way up through the ranks of stock car racing, while others jump right into the fray. Regardless of where you end up driving, it is important to have some form of education or training behind you before you can be considered for a job.
All professional NASCAR drivers must hold a valid license from the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). Before any driver can be approved by the organization to compete in races, they must show that they meet the requirements set by NASCAR. These include having a good driving record, being at least 18 years old, and having completed high school or its equivalent. There are also tests that need to be passed to qualify as a crew member or engineer on a team. The criteria varies depending on the position that you are applying for.
NASCAR drivers are just as accomplished as other professional sportsmen in other sports, with these racers requiring great levels of mental and physical skill to succeed. Take a deep breath with us as we delve into the 9 characteristics that propel a skilled NASCAR driver to the top of this difficult sport.
These characteristics are: speed, memory, judgment, intuition, perception, practice, commitment, and temperament. As you can see, it takes more than just luck or genetics to be a successful NASCAR driver; you must also possess certain skills that enable you to compete at the highest level possible.
Now, let's take a look at each of these traits in detail.
1. Speed
As mentioned earlier, NASCAR drivers are just as adept at sprinting down the track as they are cruising around it at 200 miles per hour+. They need to be able to adjust their driving styles accordingly so they can respond quickly to different situations on the race track.
For example, if a driver sees that one of his front-runners is getting away from him, he will shift into high gear and pursue him down the straightaways. But once they reach the corner where the racing line is located, they will return to low gear and wait for the next turn of the wheel. This shows that even though they are still very fast, they know when to hold back out of respect for others.
You can apply through NASCAR headquarters or a NASCAR-licensed track in your area. Everyone on your team will need to obtain a license as well [source: Martin, Tuschak]. Even if you've already won a race in another organization, you must submit an application and CV to NASCAR. Your application may be reviewed by someone within the company, such as a director of racing.
In addition to being able to drive a stock car at high speeds around a race track, you must also be able to read a map and follow instructions. Drivers are expected to prepare themselves for each race by reading the official program guide that contains the list of qualified drivers and their starting positions. You must also report to the track with a valid driver's license and proof of insurance. The staff at the track will inform you which day you will be driving in practice sessions and qualifying races.
If you're interested in trying out for NASCAR, check out the schedule of events for upcoming seasons. There might be some races near you where you can test your skills before the season starts. Then once the season is over, see who the winner was and find out how they joined NASCAR.
Education While most NASCAR drivers used to have only a high school background, a college degree is now regarded desirable. This is especially crucial as the sport becomes more business-like. A driver must be proficient both behind the wheel and in a boardroom while recruiting potential sponsors to be successful in NASCAR. Many race winners have gone on to successful careers outside of racing including Michael Jordan, Alex Rodriguez, and Bart Starr among others.
Training To compete at the highest level of NASCAR, a driver needs to be trained by a professional driver coach. The best coaches can take raw talent and turn it into winning cars. They may also be involved in strategy discussions with team owners or help develop new vehicles that can better handle up-and-down speeds found on race tracks.
Driving Experience No one becomes a NASCAR driver overnight. It takes years of hard work and training to reach the top. First, you need to be able to drive well. Then, you need to find a place where you can practice driving fast cars in circles. Only after this basic requirement is met can you look for ways to make yourself more attractive to teams and sponsors.
Race Results Since everything is done competitively in NASCAR, it's not enough just to be good. You have to be better than your competitors in order to win. This is why many drivers spend their time during off-season training working on improving their performance inside the car and out.
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