Kevin Harvick says his doctor suggests a complete physical, so he follows orders. Credit: Autostock

Drivers' health concerns stretch beyond cockpit

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- It's hard to consider a NASCAR driver just an average human being.

They have incredible hand-to-eye coordination. They are able to stay mentally sharp for hours in conditions that would break the spirit of most other folks. They can walk away nearly unscathed from horrifying crashes and immediately strap themselves back in for another go.

	Bobby Hamilton
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Still, when it comes to routine medical checkups and screening for cancer, in many ways, they're just like us. Some do a better job of taking care of themselves than others.

However, the situations that Bobby Hamilton and Benny Parsons went through in 2006 have given everyone in the garage area reason for reflection.

Kevin Harvick just turned 31, but he's taken a proactive stance when it comes to his health.

"I visit the doctor at least once a year and I don't do just the normal NASCAR physical," he said. "I actually went and saw the cancer doctor just a couple of weeks ago. We do blood work and urine samples and the full run of everything.

"It's just something my doctor has recommended. You would hope the guys would take that precaution, to try to head it off beforehand."

Dale Jarrett is more cognizant of what might happen. He's two years older than Hamilton, who was 48 when he revealed he was undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer.

"That's something I've looked at over the years and taken a little more seriously as I've gotten older anyway," Jarrett said. "It gives you a reason to pause and take a look at everything and make sure you're doing everything you can to live as healthy a life as you possibly can."

A driver like 26-year-old Kasey Kahne may consider himself bulletproof, but he said Hamilton's death caused him to pause and reassess his life.

"It makes you think about a lot of things," Kahne said. "Any time you know anybody in that situation, it makes you think about family and those you love the most. Doing things the right way, getting regular checkups and doing everything you can to be safe."

Still, it's hard to say if there will be a long-term effect. Drivers, just like the general population, can be a stubborn breed.

"As far as a wakeup call to take care of your health, I think it should tell you something," Ricky Rudd said. "But I'm probably the world's worst when it comes to getting a checkup when you need to."

The opinions expressed are solely of the writer.