Successful Driver Traits

Steve Kinser is one of the best Sprint Car drivers in the world. he is one of the best because of how focused he stays during the race weekend. TODD RIDGEWAY

Success is what we all crave as drivers or car owners. The decisions we make are all geared toward ending up in Victory Lane. But doesn't it seem that success just follows some drivers? It doesn't matter what type of car they are in, or who they are driving for, they nearly always finish up front. It makes us wonder-how do they do it?

If you look at successful drivers, they share some common traits and they all possess certain qualities that help them finish up front on a consistent basis.

Of course there are exceptions. When I think of certain drivers who have had some amount of success, a certain adage comes to mind: "Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then." But if you look at truly successful drivers who have adapted to changes in their sport and have won at every level of racing they have been in, this is where you will find these traits alive and well.

Successful drivers possess certain traits. Make no mistake about it, these drivers might have decent equipment, but the truly successful have traits that every driver who wants to experience Victory Lane needs to possess. TODD RIDGEWAY

Let's not kid ourselves. In racing you can plan all week long, develop what seems like a solid game plan, then have absolutely no luck when the green flag drops. So it does require a certain amount of luck to finish up front. Apply these traits-of which some are characteristics and some skills-and I can assure you that your finishing position will improve.

Stay Focused
This sounds simple enough, but I have seen drivers at the track get so distracted, whether it was because of family or other factors, they seem to almost forget they are at a racetrack. I watched one team unload its car and then break out the toy radio control cars. During downtime the team members would race these inside the trailer. This team often wondered why its driver was never ready when race time came.

Mark Martin is one of the best at showing how to be patient during a race. Next time you see him drive, watch how he picks his moves wisely. He understands how to finish the longer races. SAM SHARPE

Racing demands your attention, and if you're not focused when that green flag drops, you will find yourself in the middle of a fight for position that could lead to a torn-up racecar if you're not careful. This is true for the Cup level driver and especially true for the local Saturday night racer who must maintain focus because the races are so short. In fact, Saturday night racers have a limited number of laps to put themselves in a position to win the race.

The way you maintain your focus throughout the raceday is to eliminate distractions. This can be extremely difficult because distractions can include sponsors, friends, or family. You want and need their support, but you have to know when that support turns to distraction. A distraction can be as simple as a radio broadcast of a football game, so make sure you eliminate the distractions to help keep your focus where it should be.

Smart drivers who are determined to never give up will find themselves in Victory Lane more often. TODD RIDGEWAY

The Drive To Succeed
My friends and family have always told me that when I am at the track there is nothing they can do to get my mind off of racing, which goes back to being focused, but actually it's because I have a one-track mind. The upcoming race is the only thing I'm thinking about. You have to have that mindset. The person who is driven will work all week and give up other pleasures to run well at the next race.

Mark Martin exemplifies this quality. He has always been driven in any racing venture he has undertaken. Some might argue that Martin isn't as successful as other drivers, but he is one of the best drivers in the Cup Series today. He understands what it takes to finish up front and how to stay driven.

Determination
This is a required trait for a successful racer. Being determined means you have the attitude of never giving up. This will pay off when it comes to point standings. If you have the attitude that no matter what, you will salvage what you can out of every single race this season, and you make a commitment that you will be at every single race, then you will find yourself at the end of the year contending for the championship.