Is It True That IndyCar Drivers Lose Up To 10 Pounds In One Race? | MythBusters

The world of professional racing is often associated with high speeds, adrenaline, and precision driving. But what about the physical toll it takes on the drivers? A popular myth suggests that IndyCar drivers can lose a staggering 10 pounds of body weight during a single three-hour race. The MythBusters team put this claim to the test, first in a controlled environment and then on the track, to uncover the truth behind this extreme weight loss.

The Sauna Sweat-Off: Establishing a Baseline

Before hitting the racetrack, the team decided to establish a baseline for how much water weight could be lost purely through heat. They subjected themselves to a three-hour session in a dry sauna, mimicking the approximate duration of an IndyCar race and the high temperatures found within a race car cockpit (up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit). To ensure accurate measurements of core body temperature, they swallowed ingestible, wireless thermometers. The dry sauna environment was chosen specifically because it allows sweat to evaporate, facilitating weight loss. This initial test aimed to isolate the effect of heat alone, without the added physical exertion of driving.

After enduring the intense heat, the results were in. Grant lost one pound, Kari lost one pound, and Tory, who had been pretending to drive an IndyCar, lost two pounds. In total, the team shed a mere four pounds collectively. This initial experiment suggested that heat alone, even at extreme levels, was not enough to account for the rumored 10-pound weight loss. The team concluded that if the myth were true, there must be other factors at play, primarily the physical exertion and stress of actual racing.