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Hamlin Calls NASCAR Drivers Athletes, Cites Grueling Training

4/29/2026

33 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Denny Hamlin, three-time Daytona 500 winner, said on his Actions Detrimental podcast that NASCAR drivers meet the definition of athletes.
He said drivers follow cardio, core and neck programs to handle cockpit temperatures above 120 °F, sustained G-forces, and the several pounds of water weight they lose during a race.
He added he will not reply on social media to critic Stephen A. Smith, preferring not to engage.

History

Historical Context

On 20 February 1962, NASA launched John Glenn aboard Mercury-Atlas 6, the United States’ first crewed orbital flight, lasting 4 hours 55 minutes 23 seconds. The mission’s data on human tolerance to acceleration helped shape early fitness guidelines for high-G environments. Today NASCAR drivers such as Denny Hamlin use similar cardio, core and neck training to endure extreme cockpit forces.

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Story summary

Denny Hamlin, three-time Daytona 500 winner, said on his Actions Detrimental podcast that NASCAR drivers meet the definition of athletes.
He said drivers follow cardio, core and neck programs to handle cockpit temperatures above 120 °F, sustained G-forces, and the several pounds of water weight they lose during a race.
He added he will not reply on social media to critic Stephen A. Smith, preferring not to engage.

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