How to Stay Hydrated at Summer Races

One week after a wedding I get sick.  And next weekend I'm moving.  REALLY hoping to get back to
a normal post-race schedule sometime this season!
We’re in the dog days of summer, when the temperatures are high and the on-track action is higher (well, except at Michigan). If you’re going to a race this summer it’s important to know how to stay hydrated—no one wants to watch victory lane interviews from a hospital bed. Here’s some handy tips:

—Drink water. It sounds simple, but this is by far the easiest way to avoid trouble. And no, despite the taste and consistency, Coors Light doesn’t count. 

—Don’t just gulp down what you’re drinking—savor it to cool down your body more efficiently.  Try to do one of those slow-motion drinks like in soda commercials.

—Pack some salty snacks to keep your thirst up. As a general rule, snacks should be as salty as a driver complaining about being blocked. 

—Take a break from the heat of the grandstands every once in a while—the only thing you’re likely to miss is another Denny Hamlin pit road penalty. 

—Sunblock is your friend, and it needs to be reapplied regularly—say, roughly once every time a Rick Ware Racing car gets lapped.

—If at all possible, attend a night race instead.  Besides, when it gets delayed by a rainstorm, at least you won’t have to miss work on Monday.  …….unless it rains again.