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Why Jimmie Johnson Does Endurance Training Ahead Of NASCAR Races

Jimmie Johnson and Gatorade Sports Science Institute's Matthew Pahnke run along the Hudson River.

NEW YORK — You wouldn’t think race car driving would require a high level of physical endurance. But for NASCAR superstar Jimmie Johnson, running and cycling are part of his daily routine.

Through a program at Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI), Johnson, a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, has used high-intensity training to figure out how much sweat he loses when working out.

Scientists at GSSI have helped him determine how many volumes of liquid he needs to consume to stay replenished and alert during races, which can last as long as four hours and cause the temperatures in his car to spike to 145 degrees.