That’s where mental toughness comes in, an element as essential as tires or fuel, and capable of separating one driver from another. How much of driving a race car is mental? “From the driver’s perspective, I would say that it’s at least 50 percent,” said sports psychologist Dr. Patrick Cohn, who has worked with several drivers. “Once you’re strapped in the car and ready to go, all the training is complete, and now the goal is to get the most out of the car and the most out of your ability on that day. It’s got to be 50 percent or greater toward a racer’s success.”
Which means the Chase, for all the focus on vehicles and equipment, can ultimately be decided between a driver’s ears. Click the following link to read the rest of Dr. Cohn’s interview.
