What happens when a NASCAR driver has to pee during a race

They usually go in the car. Because races run nonstop for hours and pit stops are only seconds long, there’s no practical bathroom break. That said, many drivers rarely feel the urge because they sweat heavily in the heat and carefully manage fluids; when nature does call, they relieve themselves in the fire suit and keep racing, with no penalty. Here’s how drivers minimize the problem, what actually happens when they can’t wait, and how teams deal with it afterward.

Why drivers often don’t need to urinate mid-race

NASCAR cockpits are extremely hot—commonly 120–140°F (49–60°C)—and drivers can lose several pounds in sweat during a 300–500-mile event. Teams also plan hydration and nutrition to reduce bathroom urgency without risking dehydration.

• Heat and sweat loss: Prolonged exposure to high cockpit temperatures prompts substantial sweating, which naturally lowers urine production.
• Hormonal response: Adrenaline and the stress of competition suppress diuresis (your kidneys make less urine) during intense, continuous activity.
• Pre-race planning: Drivers time bathroom visits, avoid diuretics (like excess caffeine), and use electrolyte drinks to maintain fluid balance without overfilling the bladder.
• Onboard drink systems: A straw-connected bottle or bladder delivers measured sips of water/electrolyte mix to avoid both dehydration and overhydration.

Together, these factors mean many drivers finish races without needing a bathroom, even after several hours in the car.

What actually happens if a driver has to go

There’s no in-car toilet, and stopping to get out would destroy a driver’s race. When the urge becomes unavoidable, drivers keep their focus and handle it on the move.

1. They relieve themselves in the suit—often under caution, but sometimes at speed—without stopping.
2. It’s not against the rules and draws no penalty; performance and safety take precedence over comfort.
3. The liquid is largely absorbed by the underwear, seat padding, and any absorbent layers; it does not compromise fire protection, as urine is mostly water and nonflammable.
4. After the race, crews thoroughly clean and disinfect the seat and cockpit; removable covers or inserts are washed or replaced.

It’s not glamorous, but it’s the only realistic option at racing speeds with pit stops that last mere seconds.

Are there breaks or special equipment?

Pit stops, red flags, and relief drivers

Normal pit stops are far too brief to leave the car. In a lengthy red-flag delay, officials may allow drivers to exit their cars, which can offer a rare chance to use the restroom. While NASCAR rules allow a relief driver to take over in extreme cases (usually for heat exhaustion or injury), the swap is slow and costly on the scoreboard—so it’s not a bathroom strategy.

Diapers, catheters, and other systems

Unlike some endurance or open-wheel contexts, NASCAR drivers generally don’t use adult diapers or catheter systems. Diapers can worsen heat stress and chafing, and external catheters introduce comfort and reliability risks under high G-loads and vibration. In practice, most drivers rely on fluid planning—and, if necessary, simply go in the suit.

Health and safety considerations

Drivers and teams balance hydration with heat safety to avoid cramping, dizziness, or reduced cognition—serious risks at 180–200 mph.

• Electrolyte strategy: Sodium and other electrolytes help maintain fluid balance and reduce cramp risk without overfilling the bladder.
• Acclimatization and cooling: Cooling shirts, helmet blowers, and improved cockpit airflow help manage core temperature.
• Monitoring: Many teams track driver weight and hydration pre/post-race to fine-tune intake and recovery.
• Avoiding over-dehydration: Intentionally “drying out” too much can harm reaction time and endurance, so the goal is balance, not avoidance.

The priority is driver performance and safety; bathroom comfort is secondary to keeping the athlete alert and physically stable for the finish.

Who has admitted to it?

Plenty of top-level drivers have acknowledged going during a race at least once across their careers. It’s a known, if rarely discussed, occupational reality in long, hot events.

• Dale Earnhardt Jr.
• Jeff Gordon
• Tony Stewart
• Danica Patrick

Individual habits vary—some say they almost never need to, others admit it happens on occasion—largely depending on heat, hydration, and race length.

Myths vs. facts

Public curiosity spawns a few persistent misconceptions about in-car bathroom realities. Here’s what stands up to scrutiny.

• Myth: Drivers take bathroom breaks during pit stops. Fact: Stops last seconds; there’s no time, and leaving the car would wreck track position.
• Myth: It’s against the rules to pee in the car. Fact: There’s no penalty; safety and continuity of competition prevail.
• Myth: Diapers are standard in NASCAR. Fact: They’re uncommon due to heat, discomfort, and skin issues.
• Myth: Peeing in a fire suit is dangerous. Fact: Urine is mostly water and nonflammable; the bigger issue is distraction, not fire risk.

While unglamorous, the practice is simply a pragmatic solution to a biological need in a nonstop, high-heat environment.

Summary

NASCAR drivers rarely find mid-race bathroom options, so if the urge becomes urgent, they relieve themselves in the suit and keep racing—there’s no rule against it. Careful hydration strategies, extreme cockpit heat, and the body’s stress response often reduce the need in the first place. When it does happen, teams clean the equipment afterward, and everyone moves on—another behind-the-scenes reality of elite motorsport.

What do Formula 1 drivers do when they have to pee?

F1 drivers pee in their race suits because they cannot stop to use a toilet during a race. While many drivers try to hold it, some, like Michael Schumacher, would frequently urinate in their suits. The high heat of the cockpit helps to dry any liquid quickly, and the practice is considered safer than risking distraction or injury from a full bladder under the extreme g-forces of a race.
 
This video explains what happens when F1 drivers need to pee during a race: 56sRacingNews365comYouTube · May 9, 2023
Why drivers can’t stop

• A race lasts about 90 minutes, and the drivers are in a full racing suit and helmet, with no possibility of stopping to use a bathroom. 
• They drink a lot of liquid to stay hydrated due to the extreme heat of the cockpit, which causes them to lose significant weight through sweat. 

How they handle it

• They simply urinate in their specialized, fire-retardant race suits. 
• The heat of the car’s cockpit helps to dry the suit quickly. 
• While some drivers like Daniel Ricciardo refuse to do it, others, such as Michael Schumacher, admitted to doing it regularly. 
• Many drivers try to avoid it as a sign of respect to the mechanics who have to clean the suit, but sometimes it is simply a necessary and safer alternative to holding it in. 

Safety considerations 

• Trying to hold urine can be a significant distraction during a race.
• A full bladder under the intense g-forces of a race could cause injury or be dangerous in the event of a crash.
• For these reasons, it is considered safer to just relieve oneself in the suit rather than risk holding it or being distracted.

What is NASCAR’s 41st rule?

Now, the sport has changed the OEP rules surrounding field size and when drivers can use it. NASCAR has changed the open exemption provisional to where if it is granted, there will be 41 cars in the field. No more if that driver qualifies, then there’s 40 but if the driver doesn’t qualify, then there’s 41.

What happens when a NASCAR driver has to pee?

If a NASCAR driver has to pee, their most likely options are to hold it until the race ends, pee in their suit, or, in some cases for extreme endurance races, they might have a system like a catheter, though this is not standard for NASCAR. While drivers sweat profusely, which reduces the urge, the intense heat and pressure of a long race can sometimes lead to needing to relieve themselves, often through peeing in their fire-resistant suits. 
Here’s a breakdown of the situation:

• Holding it: Many drivers can hold it for the duration of a standard NASCAR race, especially if they went to the bathroom right before the start. 
• Peeing in the suit: This is a less common but confirmed occurrence. Drivers are in a confined space and are wearing fire-resistant suits, so the option is to either hold it or let it go. Some drivers have even admitted to it, though many are not comfortable discussing it publicly. 
• Sweating as a natural “solution”: The intense heat inside a race car causes extreme sweating, which can help reduce the need to urinate. 
• Endurance racing (like Formula 1): In longer races, some drivers might use advanced systems, like catheters connected to reservoirs in the car to manage urine without them having to do it in their suits, but this is not a standard feature in NASCAR. 
• Focus and concentration: The physical need to urinate can be a significant distraction, so it’s often best for drivers to either go beforehand or, if absolutely necessary, to relieve themselves to maintain concentration on the race. 

Do NASCAR drivers fly private?

NASCAR’s Airport
Motorsports teams often fly private out of Concord Regional instead of Charlotte Douglas due to its affordability and proximity to their headquarters; the airport’s proximity to I-85 offers convenient access to Charlotte Motor Speedway and the Z-max Dragway.