Do NASCAR drivers wear cool suits?

Yes. Most NASCAR drivers use “cool suits” (circulating cooling shirts) in hot conditions, alongside helmet air systems and drink hoses, though they are not mandatory and some drivers opt out in cooler weather or for packaging reasons. The choice varies by driver, track, and series (Cup, Xfinity, and Trucks), but in summer races and at heat-intensive venues, cool suits are now common practice to manage cockpit temperatures that can exceed 120–140°F (49–60°C).

What drivers actually wear and why it matters

NASCAR drivers typically wear multi-layer fire-resistant suits that trap heat by design, so supplemental cooling is crucial to performance, concentration, and safety. “Cool suits” circulate chilled fluid through tubing sewn into a shirt worn under the firesuit, pulling heat from the torso. The systems are legal in NASCAR and widely used across all three national series; they are driver/team choices rather than mandated equipment. Since the introduction of the Next Gen Cup car in 2022—and subsequent updates through 2024—teams have also improved heat shielding and cockpit ventilation, but personal cooling remains essential, especially on hot, humid race days.

How a “cool suit” works

A modern driver-cooling setup typically combines a cooling shirt with helmet air and hydration. The specific hardware can vary by team and series regulations, but the fundamentals are the same: move heat away from the driver and bring in clean, cooler air for breathing.

The following components are commonly found in a NASCAR cockpit cooling system:

• Cooling shirt: A fire-resistant undershirt embedded with small tubes that carry chilled fluid across the chest, back, and sometimes sleeves.
• Chiller unit: Either an ice-water “cool box” with an electric pump or a compact thermoelectric (solid-state) chiller; both circulate cooled fluid through the shirt.
• Quick-disconnect fittings: Allow the driver to connect/disconnect the shirt quickly, especially during driver changes (rare in NASCAR) or to bypass a failed system.
• Helmet air blower: Supplies filtered outside air to the helmet; some systems route that air through a cooler or heat exchanger to reduce intake temperature.
• Power and controls: A 12-volt supply with switches on the dash or steering wheel to control pump and blower speeds.
• Hydration system: An insulated drink bottle or bladder with a hose to the helmet, often cooled or packed with ice for long races.

Together, these parts form an integrated setup that manages body heat and air quality, enabling drivers to maintain focus and reduce fatigue over hundreds of miles.

Do all NASCAR drivers use cool suits every race?

No. While usage is widespread—especially in summer—some drivers skip the cool shirt in mild conditions or when cockpit airflow is adequate. Others rely primarily on helmet blowers and ventilation. The decision often balances cooling benefits against weight, packaging, and reliability concerns.

Teams generally consider these factors when deciding whether to run a cool suit:

• Ambient temperature and humidity: Hotter, more humid races make cool shirts almost essential.
• Track characteristics: Short tracks and road courses can run hotter due to lower speeds and more braking; superspeedways may offer more airflow.
• Race length and stint duration: Longer green-flag runs increase thermal load and dehydration risk.
• Driver physiology: Individual heat tolerance, sweat rate, and history of heat stress shape preferences.
• Weight/packaging: Space and mass constraints inside the car, especially with the Next Gen layout, can influence installation choices.
• Reliability history: If a system is prone to failure, some drivers may opt for ventilation only or plan a backup (e.g., pre-chilled vest).

As a result, adoption is near-universal during hot summer events but can be selective during spring or fall races with cooler ambient temperatures.

What else keeps drivers cool

Cool shirts are just one part of a broader strategy to control heat and maintain air quality in the cockpit. Teams combine personal cooling with car-level airflow, insulation, and disciplined hydration protocols.

Common supplemental measures include:

• Helmet air blowers with filters: Deliver fresh, filtered air (often through carbon/particulate filters) to reduce heat and exposure to exhaust or tire smoke.
• Cockpit ventilation and shielding: NACA ducts, footbox fans, heat shielding, and better sealing/insulation to keep exhaust and floor heat away from the driver.
• Hydration systems: Chilled electrolyte solutions via a helmet hose or mouthpiece, sometimes in temperature-controlled bottles to slow warming.
• Pre- and post-race cooling: Shade, cold towels, ice vests, portable coolers on the grid, and medical/sports science monitoring to track core temperature and recovery.

Together, these measures reduce thermal strain, improve cognitive performance, and help prevent heat-related illness over the course of a race weekend.

Reliability, safety, and rulebook notes

NASCAR permits driver cooling systems, but they must be securely mounted, meet safety standards, and pass technical inspection. Teams typically use water-based coolants and fire-safe materials, and they route fresh-air pickups to reduce contamination. Failures can be counterproductive—if ice melts or a pump fails, circulating warm fluid can make the driver feel hotter; leaks can distract or dampen clothing; and poor air pickup or clogged filters can increase exposure to fumes. Since 2022, NASCAR and teams have implemented incremental changes—additional insulation, improved venting, and sealing—to mitigate cockpit heat, but personal cooling remains a primary line of defense.

Typical failure modes teams plan for include:

• Pump or electrical failure that stops fluid circulation.
• Depleted ice or chiller overload, turning the system into a source of warm water circulation.
• Hose disconnects or leaks that wet the driver or equipment.
• Contaminated or poorly placed helmet-air pickups leading to fume ingestion or reduced airflow.

To reduce risk, crews pre-race test pumps and power circuits, pack sufficient ice or verify chiller capacity, secure lines with robust fittings, and service or relocate air intakes and filters as needed.

The bottom line

Yes—NASCAR drivers commonly wear cool suits, especially in hot races, and pair them with helmet air and hydration systems. While not mandatory, they’re a proven performance and safety tool across Cup, Xfinity, and Trucks, with usage tailored to conditions, driver preference, and reliability considerations.

Summary

Most NASCAR drivers use cool suits to manage extreme in-car temperatures, particularly in summer events, supplemented by helmet blowers, ventilation, and hydration. The systems are legal, optional, and widely adopted because they enhance safety and performance when cockpit heat is high.

Do NASCAR drivers wear cooling suits?

Today, it’s hard to find a driver in the field who isn’t wearing one. Jones was not alone in using “game changer” when talking about the cooling shirt. Michael McDowell, one such driver, correlated the uptick in drivers using the shirts to the introduction of the Next Gen car in 2022.

Do Formula 1 drivers wear cool suits?

Wondering what Formula 1 Drivers are wearing? The answer: cooling vests from INUTEQ. INUTEQ is a leading Dutch brand that offers advanced cooling products for sports, work, and leisure. They utilize innovative cooling technologies to regulate body temperature and enhance comfort and performance.

What kind of suits do NASCAR drivers wear?

Most suits use fabric made of Nomex, a synthetic material produced by DuPont that retains its fire-retardant properties with time and use. Other suits consist of cotton treated with Proban, a chemical manufactured by Rhodia, or other substances.

Do NASCAR drivers have cool suits?

So there’s a few ways to cool the driver. Down the first is the cool shirt water is cooled in the car. And pumps through a shirt that the driver wears under their fire suit. But it can be unreliable.