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NASCAR America: Mental fatigue, endurance are big challenges for drivers in Coca-Cola 600

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Mental fatigue is one of the biggest challenges for drivers in the Coca-Cola 600 because it lasts more than four hours.

While you’d think they’re the same thing, mental fatigue and endurance are two entirely different animals when it comes to racing in NASCAR’s longest race of the season, Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

On Friday’s Motorsports Special on NBCSN, NASCAR on NBC analyst and former NASCAR Cup crew chief Steve Letarte explained how drivers deal with both the mental and physical strain of the grueling race. Also giving their viewpoint were Kyle Petty and Parker Kligerman.

Driving around isn’t grueling you say, eh? Tell that to Brad Keselowski, who lost an incredible 16 pounds racing in a 600 a few years back.

Drivers will make sure to stay hydrated with liquids -- and even snacks like candy bars to keep their energy boosted -- during the course of the race.

Check out Letarte’s analysis in the videos above and below.