The Heat Is On: The Reality of Cool Suits in NASCAR
A cool suit is a specialized garment worn by NASCAR drivers beneath their fire-resistant clothing. Designed with a network of small tubes that circulate ice-cooled liquid, the suit connects to a cooler unit in the car, which pumps chilled water through the tubing to help regulate the driver's core temperature. This cooling system plays a crucial role in preventing dangerous heat spikes that could lead to exhaustion or even heatstroke. Given that cockpit temperatures can soar well above 140°F, the cool suit has become an important part of a driver's weekly gear. Without it, drivers face significant health risks that can severely compromise both safety and performance.
However, when a cool suit fails—due to a variety of reasons, such as a faulty pump or clogged tube—the situation can escalate quickly. Once the chilled water stops circulating, it no longer provides relief; instead, it begins absorbing and retaining the cockpit’s intense heat, effectively transforming into a boiling hot pack pressed against the driver’s body. The consequences are quick and brutal: overwhelming fatigue, blurred vision, dehydration, and in extreme cases, complete heat exhaustion. This was evident during the June 22nd race at Pocono Raceway, where Ryan Blaney’s suit failed shortly after lap 15. Trapped in the brutal heat, Blaney ran a grueling race before collapsing multiple times after exiting his car, requiring medical attention post-race and hydration at the infield care center.
Blaney’s experience at Pocono underscores the high stakes when cooling systems malfunction during hot summer races. Air temperatures that day hovered in the mid-90s, and with no functioning cooling system, his suit likely acted more like a heat trap. After recognizing the issue early in the race, he knew he was in for a physical battle. As dehydration set in, Blaney experienced muscle cramps and growing fatigue, yet still managed to push through and finish third. His post-race collapse, however, highlighted just how close the line is between endurance and disaster when a cool suit fails.
The demands of racing without a reliable cooling system are extreme. Cockpit heat can cause drivers to lose more than a gallon of water during a race, resulting in five to eight pounds of weight loss despite the driver consuming fluids. This level of dehydration impairs cognitive sharpness, slows reflexes, blurs vision, and causes cramps, and mental fatigue. Excessive heat plays a role in the cardiovascular system, elevating heart rates and reducing the ability to make the high-stakes decisions that racing demands. All of this, while racing at 200 MPH, in a sport where you don’t have any time to blink. It is more than uncomfortable—it’s dangerous.
To minimize the risk of future cool suit failures, teams could try a number of improvement methods. Adding pumps and backup power systems would offer a safety net in case of a mid-race malfunction. Quick-release valves might allow drivers to dump the overheated fluid instantly, reducing thermal load. Improvements in the quality of tubing could prevent the clogs and microbial buildup that often lead to failures. Ultimately, the question isn’t whether cool suits are worth it—because they are. While failures remain relatively rare, the consequences can be severe. Blaney’s horror story at Pocono demonstrated that. When designed and maintained correctly, these suits offer life-saving protection in one of the most physically punishing environments in professional sports. With ever-changing technological advancements, over time the reliability of cool suits can be strengthened, ensuring drivers stay safe for years to come.
