CONCORD, N.C. -- We've all been told eating while driving can be distracting and ultimately hazardous to your health.

Not when you're a NASCAR driver. In fact, it's mandatory for some.

Mental preparation is a popular topic of discussion heading into Sunday's grueling 600-mile Sprint Cup Series race, although physical preparation is equally as important to the drivers who need to maintain hydration and energy levels inside the car during the sport's longest race of the season.

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If I could get a hamburger to fit in the helmet, I might have that. I don't think I can get it in there.

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KYLE BUSCH

So how is that possible? How do you fit in balanced nutrition over the course of a potentially five-hour race at high rates of speed?

These athletes use creativity and quick-handed crew members. They reach for coolers of cold beverages, fruit and energy bars to hand off to their drivers during pit stops, giving an entirely new meaning to fast food.

And when the food is fast, at times taste is compromised, said Jimmie Johnson, who began the habit of eating inside the car during races, including the Coca-Cola 600, a few seasons ago. He eats chocolate-covered protein bars washed down with red Gatorade.

"The combination of the two really isn't all that good," said Johnson, who is handed thirds of segmented protein bars through his driver's-side window while in the pit box. "I'll have the chocolate bar or protein bar in my hand and I'm like, nah that's not going down and I'll throw it out. I need to find a better combination of food and drink for inside the car."

Johnson added that he knows some drivers who can eat sandwiches and even some old-school drivers who were known to eat hot dogs.

Not Carl Edwards. He stopped eating inside the car because he said Richard Petty told him it wasn't safe for reasons unknown. Ryan Newman is a water-only driver, and Matt Kenseth has never eaten during a race.

Jeff Burton said he's eaten during the 600 but doesn't like to.

"I don't like to do it because there are some issues with eating during a race," Burton said. "I don't like to eat but I've eaten like protein bars and stuff like that. My thing is keeping the fluids in." (Continued)