Story on WTHR and WTHR.com
Many Indy 500 drivers take their physical fitness as seriously as their racing. One driver is hoping to climb above the competition with a mountaintop experience.
To prepare for the physical demands of the Indianapolis 500, Scott Dixon zips up the tent and gets to work.
“I think you have to be physically fit at this level. I think everybody is in Indy Cars, especially the ones that compete for championships,” he said.
Dixon is already in great shape and is an accomplished triathlete. But he’s looking for an edge by training at 9,000 feet. Working out in the altitude tent makes Dixon’s body more efficient at absorbing oxygen, which should help build endurance for the longest IndyCar race of the season.
“Anything you can gain, I think, over your competitors especially physical-wise, is something that you bring to the table a bit more than some other teams do and it can make a difference. I think a lot of these oval races physically aren’t hugely demanding but the endurance side of it is difficult,” said Dixon.
Jim Leo is the president of Pit Fit Training, a fitness company that works exclusively with race drivers. He says they focus on strengthening drivers’ core, shoulders and neck.
“Training at a higher altitude, your body goes into what they call a hypoxic state, which is a low oxygen levels. Your body becomes very efficient at absorbing oxygen that’s available,” said Leo. “The benefit isn’t really when you’re at altitude. It’s when you come down from altitude to sea level.”
A win Sunday would put Dixon in rarefied air with no need for the tent.
