Racing Mind Strategies

Director of Psychological Performance

Racing Prodigy

As you know, auto racing is an incredibly demanding sport. Drivers must manage intense psychological and physiological stressors, and potentially very hazardous conditions, all of which may affect performance. Formula One’s official website describes its drivers as engaging in: “

…a constant psychological struggle to counteract mental turmoil of anxiety, disappointment, despair, anger, jealousy, resentment, sorrow and fear.”

Formula One World Driver’s Champion Jackie Stewart stated:

“The mind is everything. All the boys in Formula One today have gifts from God and there’s 20 of them. Then there’s the top six, then the extraordinary three. But the genius is the one who takes it to another level… And it’s always the head that took them there.”

Sim racing can provide several psychological and positive mental benefits to participants; some are:

• Improved Concentration and Focus: Regular practice at a high level of concentration and focus can help individuals improve their attention span and ability to concentrate on specific tasks.

• Enhanced Reaction Times: Sim racing involves split-second decision-making and quick reflexes. Constantly practicing these skills can lead to improved reaction times and cognitive agility.

• Problem-Solving Skills: During sim racing, players often encounter different challenges on the track, such as finding the best racing line or adjusting to changing track conditions, which promotes problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.

• Emotional Regulation: In competitive sim racing, players may experience moments of frustration or disappointment if things don’t go as planned. Learning to manage these emotions and maintain composure will be important for your brand, as well as Racing Prodigy’s and other key stakeholders’

• Persistence and Resilience: Sim racing involves continuous learning and improvement. Overcoming challenges and setbacks in the virtual racing world can help individuals develop a sense of resilience and the determination to keep trying until they succeed.

• Mindfulness and Flow State: While racing, players can experience a state of flow, often referred to as “being in the zone.” During these moments, they become fully absorbed in the activity, losing track of time and experiencing a sense of mindfulness and enjoyment.

Simulation racing can also lead race car drivers to form bad habits on the racetrack due to easy use of the “reset button.”

This extends into driving fundamentals such as lines, turn in speed, and brake and

throttle application. The demands of real-world racing influence brain function differently due to physical demands of g-force, real vs. virtual risk-taking, and, at times, more on the line with the reality of winning and losing, all of which can influence reaction times, adrenaline, cortisol levels, and ability to perform.

Test of Attentional and Interpersonal Style (TAIS) is used with all drivers if sim or on track, so that drivers, coaches, and team owners can understand the driver’s

attentional skills under pressure and to help develop optimal performance. The TAIS was standardized on Olympic Athletes as an assessment tool to identify, predict, and develop the athletes. It is used in the NBA, NFL, NHL, PGA, etc. as well as in the United States military with the Navy SEALs, Special Ops, FBI, CIA, and others. TAIS is administered online and is given in several languages. Once the assessment is

completed, the driver will be debriefed on the findings during a one-hour video session. Explanations and recommendations will be provided for the driver at that time.

Benefits of Psychological Skills Training (PST) for Race Car Drivers:

• Anticipation
• Attentional Control
• Reducing the impact of anxiety and increasing attentional control
• Assessing Danger
• Blinking behaviors
• Concentration
• Excitement Regulation
• Flow States
• Goal Setting
• Integrating basic high level performance skills into racing real cars
• Intuitive Driving
• Focused Concentration
• Holistic Concentration
• Reduction in amount of mental errors
• Self-talk
• Use of Caution Flags for Emotional Recovery, etc.

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• Understand the Mental Game: Racing is not just about driving faster–it’s also about understanding the mental aspects of the sport. Make sure to take time to reflect on your emotional state before and after races, as well as your response to difficult situations.
• Set Realistic Goals: High levels of performance can only be attained if realistic expectations are set beforehand. Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses honestly to develop achievable goals that push you to perform at your best.

Visualize Success: Mental imagery is an important tool for race car drivers. Visualizing yourself succeeding in a race can increase confidence and create a greater sense of control over the outcome of the event. 

Focus on Process Goals: Drivers should focus their energy on process goals – the steps taken to achieve success, rather than the end result. Focusing on actions such as staying within a certain speed limit or completing a racing line can help you stay in control and lead to better overall performance.

Stay Positive: Negative thoughts have no place on the track. Drivers must learn to recognize and redirect negative thought patterns before they become detrimental to performance. Focus on what you can control and keep a positive attitude throughout the race.

Develop Mental Resilience: The ability to stay focused under pressure is one of the most important mental skills for race car drivers. Take time to practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or visualization to help build your mental toughness and stay in top form during races. 

By understanding and using these psychological strategies, race car drivers can reach their full potential on the track. With a clear mind and an unwavering focus, anything is possible! 

Practice Makes Perfect: As with any sport, practice and repetition are key for improving performance on the track. Set aside time to review driving technique regularly so that you’re always on top of your game. 

Be Open to Feedback: Race car driving is an ever-evolving sport, and it’s important to be open to new ideas and techniques. Take feedback from fellow drivers, instructors, or experts seriously and use it to make improvements in your performance. 

Strive for Consistency: Consistency is essential for success in race car driving. Refine your technique and practice the same strategies every time you go out on the track in order to maintain top performance levels. 

The right mental approach can have a huge impact on a driver’s performance, so make sure to keep these psychological points in mind when striving for high-level results. With a commitment to self-awareness and focus, you can achieve success on the track! 

Take Breaks: Mental exhaustion is a real issue in race car driving – so make sure to take regular breaks from the sport. It’s important to step away from the track periodically and give your mind some rest before returning with a fresh perspective. 

Use Technology Wisely: Technology can be very helpful for race car drivers, but it can also be a distraction. Learn how to use any tools or gadgets you have wisely, and don’t rely on them too heavily during races. 

Ultimately, racing is an intense mental battle as well as physical one. By understanding the psychological aspects of the sport and learning proper techniques to manage them, race car drivers can reach peak performance levels on the track. Good luck! 

Seek Help When Needed: Mental health is just as important as physical health for race car drivers. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling to stay focused, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. There are many resources available to help you manage your mental state and stay on top of your game. 

Develop a Support System: Surround yourself with positive people who can help you stay motivated and focused on your goals. A supportive network of colleagues, family, and friends can offer invaluable emotional support during stressful moments in the sport. 

The journey to becoming a successful race car driver involves more than just driving fast – it’s also about developing the psychological skills necessary for peak performance. With these mental strategies in mind, drivers can stay sharp and achieve their highest levels of success on the track! 

Be Vigilant: Remain alert and aware at all times while driving in order to stay ahead of potential risks or difficult situations. Constantly scan your surroundings for potential threats or hazards and be prepared to react quickly and safely. 

Manage Your Environment: Pay attention to the environment you are in when preparing for a race. Make sure that your listening environment is free of distractions, such as loud noises or flashing lights, so that your focus isn’t compromised. Keep any pre-race rituals consistent, so that they become habituated and require minimal effort.  Trust Your Instincts: Race car drivers must learn to trust their own instincts and reactions on the track. Be patient with yourself as you hone your skills, and never be afraid to take calculated

Be Open to Feedback: Race car driving is an ever-evolving sport, and it’s important to be open to new ideas and techniques. Take feedback from fellow drivers, instructors, or experts seriously and use it to make improvements in your performance. 

risks when necessary. With a little bit of practice, you can learn to make quick decisions in high-pressure situations with confidence.

Seek Out Experienced Mentors: Learning from experienced drivers can help you develop your skills faster. Look for mentors who have a long history of success, and listen to their advice before heading out on the track. A knowledgeable mentor can provide valuable insight into the sport and help you sharpen your technique quickly. 

By following these psychological tips, race car drivers can achieve peak performance and reach their goals on the track. Remember to stay focused, remain positive, and trust your instincts – all of which will help you excel in the sport. Good luck! 

Stay Motivated: Racing can be a long and tiring journey so it’s important to find sources of motivation when things get tough. Set small goals for yourself along the way and reward yourself for each achievement. Make sure to take time to celebrate your successes and remember why you started racing in the first place. 

Be Adaptable: Race car driving requires drivers to think on their feet and be able to adapt quickly to changing conditions. Learn how to evaluate different scenarios quickly and make decisions that will lead to positive results on the track. The ability to be flexible and responsive in tough situations will help you stay ahead of the competition. 

The race car driving world is constantly evolving, so it’s important to keep up with the latest trends. Read industry magazines or join online forums to stay informed about what other drivers are doing and try out some of their techniques yourself. With a combination of mental strategies and experience, you can achieve success on the track. 

Finally, don’t forget to have fun! Race car driving is a thrilling sport that will challenge you in ways you never thought possible. So stay focused, remain positive, and push yourself to reach new heights! With dedication and hard work, anything is possible. Go out there and make your mark on the race car world! 

Good luck, and happy racing!

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In simple terms, stress refers to the physiological or emotional response that occurs when an individual experiences a demanding or challenging situation. This response can manifest in various forms, such as increased heart rate, shallow breathing, muscle tension, and feelings of anxiety or overwhelm.

On the other hand, performance refers to the ability to carry out a specific task or achieve a desired outcome. It is often measured by factors such as speed, accuracy, and efficiency.

Under normal circumstances, stress and performance are believed to have a curvilinear relationship. This means that as stress levels increase, so does an individual’s performance up to a certain point. However, beyond this point, excessive stress can lead to a decrease in performance.

Under pressure situations, the relationship between stress and performance becomes more complex. Pressure refers to the sense of urgency or importance placed on a task, often accompanied by a fear of failure or negative consequences. In these situations, stress levels may rise significantly, and individuals may experience symptoms such as mental blocks, forgetfulness, and decreased decision-making ability.

While some individuals may thrive under pressure and perform better than expected, others may crumble and exhibit reduced performance. This is where the difference between stress and performance comes into play.

The key difference between stress and performance under pressure lies in an individual’s perception and response to the situation. Those who view pressure as a challenge rather than a threat are more likely to perform better as they perceive the demands of the task as manageable. In contrast, those who view pressure as a threat may experience debilitating stress that hinders their performance.

Moreover, individuals who are equipped with effective coping mechanisms and have a strong support system in place may be better able to manage stress under pressure and maintain their performance levels. On the other hand, those who lack these resources may struggle to cope with stress and see a decline in their performance. In conclusion, while stress and performance are closely related concepts, it is important to distinguish between the two and understand their impact under pressure situations. By recognizing the role of perception, coping mechanisms, and support systems, individuals can learn to navigate stress and maintain their performance levels even in high-pressure

environments. So, it is crucial to develop effective strategies for managing stress in order to optimize performance under pressure.

Remember that stress is a natural response to challenging situations and can be beneficial in small doses. However, excessive and prolonged stress can have detrimental effects on performance and overall well-being. By understanding the relationship between stress and performance, individuals can learn to thrive under pressure and achieve success in various aspects of their lives. So, it is essential to prioritize self-care and seek support when needed to maintain a healthy balance between stress and performance. With the right mindset and tools, individuals can use stress as a motivator rather than a hindrance in achieving their goals. So, let us strive to build resilience and manage stress effectively to perform at our best under pressure. Let us remember the words of Hans Selye, “It is not stress that kills us; it is our reaction to it.” As scholars, it is our responsibility to continue studying and understanding the complex relationship between stress and performance under pressure in order to help individuals reach their full potential. So, let us approach this topic with a curious and open mind while also promoting self-care and well-being in ourselves and others. This way, we can create a more supportive and successful environment for everyone. As we continue to navigate through life’s challenges, let us remember that our performance under pressure is not defined by the level of stress we experience but rather how we choose to respond to it. So, let us strive to cultivate a positive and growth-oriented mindset towards stress and use it as a tool for personal and professional development. With this understanding, we can truly harness the power of stress and perform at our best under pressure, ultimately achieving success and fulfillment in all aspects of our lives

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Nick Molinaro had a question for his caller before the interview could begin.

“How did you find me?” the sports psychologist said with a chuckle from his office in Mendham, N.J.

Now 72, he is fresh off a turn at the PGA Championship in New York, where two of his clients, Bronson Burgoon and Tyler Hall, participated. He also advises the Rutgers University golf team and even has a client, rising senior John Felitto, on the golf team at Notre Dame.

This, however, would be the first time he’d ever answered a reporter’s questions about his namesake grandfather. Contrary to various published reports over the past century, the family patriarch did not perish in the 1919 Indy 500.

However, as the riding mechanic – or mechanician – for Arthur Thurman’s ill-fated Duesenberg, the elder Molinaro was severely injured in the Lap 45 accident. According to accounts, Molinaro was dragged under the car, suffered a fractured skull and was hospitalized after surgery.

His brother Michele, a professional boxer who fought under the name Mickey Delmont, reportedly traveled to Indianapolis to take Molinaro home to New Jersey after he recovered. 

A native Texan turned Washington, D.C., lawyer, Thurman was driving in his first major race when the Thurman Special, the car he had designed and rebuilt himself, lost a wheel coming out of the backstretch at 90 mph. The car skidded, overturned and slammed into the inner wall; Thurman was thrown about 25 feet and died soon after being removed from the track.

The elder Molinaro, who died in the mid-1960s, later told his family Thurman had been decapitated.

“I don’t know if that’s true,” Molinaro’s grandson said. “I haven’t found this in any of the articles.”

An air of mystery has followed the elder Molinaro since the accident. News accounts that named him as “Molinero” or “Mollinard” were incorrect, his grandson said.

Nor was the riding mechanic “a Frenchman,” as another account claimed. In fact, Molinaro was a second-generation Italian- who was born in Newark, N.J.

The accident left Molinaro with a right eyelid that could not close on its own, effectively ending his career as a riding mechanic.

“He never wore a patch on it,” Molinaro’s grandson recalled. “I think he could still see out of it, so I don’t know it was neurological or whether there was a muscular piece that didn’t allow the eyelid to close. It was the strangest thing.”

The talented inventor and mechanic, who had worked eight years in the Duesenberg plant in Elizabethtown, N.J., later moved into aviation.

According to his namesake grandson, Molinaro spoke often of working on Charles Lindbergh’s “Spirit of St. Louis” before its historic Transatlantic flight. In fact, Molinaro told his family, he had carved the initials “NM” into the engine. Estranged from his family for decades, Molinaro lived for a time in the Midwest, his grandson said, and took the name Milton Wilcox in a nod to the

popular Howdy Wilcox after his death. Rachel Dormi, the mechanician’s estranged wife, told her three sons about Molinaro’s outsized personality.

“My father would reference my grandfather, who I guess was a real character,” Dr. Molinaro said. “He would find his way to where he wanted to be. He seemed to know a lot of people. He could charm anybody.”

That list included famed pilot Eddie Rickenbacker, who drove the pace car at the start of the 1919 race. The younger Molinaro remembers his grandfather mentioning Rickenbacker.

He also remembers the old mechanic’s physically imposing frame.

”He was a very big man,” Molinaro said. “I’m only 5-7, and my was dad was smaller than me, but my grandfather was probably 5-11. Certainly, back in that day, he was a big guy.”

Perhaps it was his physical strength that enabled him to survive the crash on Lap 45.

‘Wealthy mechanician’ 

Robert Bandini, the other riding mechanic involved in a deadly crash that day, would not be as fortunate.

The 21-year-old millionaire, heir to the Debaker estate in Southern California, would double as mechanic for the cars he often provided to well-known drivers such as Brent Harding and Roscoe Saarles. Bandini, a dedicated racing enthusiast, did this even though he may have been the wealthiest participant in the sport at the time.

At the 1919 Liberty Sweepstakes, Bandini was paired with 26-year-old driver Louis LeCocq when they hit the wall coming out of the southeast turn on Lap 97. According to reports, the Iowa-born LeCocq hit the sand and then the wall, causing the gas tank to explode.

LeCocq’s car finally stopped upside down, 75 feet from where it hit the wall, pinning both driver and mechanic underneath the vehicle.

“Covered with burning gas, their bodies flamed for five minutes before guards and spectators could put out the fire,” one account read. “They were burned beyond recognition, still strapped in their seats.”

LeCocq, one of the pre-race favorites, was driving Sarles’ self-dubbed Roamer (a Duesenberg) while Sarles drove Barney Oldfield’s car in the race.

Once the race resumed, drivers slowed down noticeably over the second half of the event. According to The New York Times account, average speed dipped from 91.3 over the first 275 miles to 87.1 over the remainder of the race.

In qualifying, drivers had reached 100 mph for the first time in race history.

LeCocq had worked as a mechanic on dirt tracks before becoming a driver in 1914 in Elgin, Ill. He had served as Eddie Hearne’s mechanic at IMS a few years before the accident that claimed his life in 1919.

“LeCocq and his wealthy mechanician are burned to death under flaming car – Thurman also loses life,” read the sub-headlines in The New York Times.

The danger aspect caused riding mechanics to be phased out at the Indy 500 from 1923-29 before returning for another eight years from 1930-37. That marked the last time they were used at the Brickyard.

“Back then, you had leather caps and no seat belts, no rearview mirrors,” Molinaro said. “It was part of the responsibility of the riding mechanic to give information. When you think about all the safety that’s come about since that time — a lot of safety in cars is based on what happens in Indy Racing.”

Need for speed

When Simon Pagenaud takes the green flag Sunday as the first Frenchman on the Indy 500 pole in a century, he will stir echoes of 1919 and countryman Rene Thomas, who finished 11th.

Nick Molinaro, grandson of the burly riding mechanic who survived the Thurman crash, will watch from his home in New Jersey and recall the man who died early in 1966, during Nick’s freshman year at the University of Scranton.

No 1919 race memorabilia items were handed down in the Molinaro family, although the mechanic’s grandson has purchased several vintage photographs of his grandfather from that time. One of them includes the 1919 Duesenberg Special by a photographer named John Conde; another shows the elder Molinaro on Daytona Beach that same year, but it has faded badly through the years.

Even though he learned some things about his mysterious grandfather over the final decade of his life, Dr. Molinaro still has so many unanswered questions.

“I would like to know what the experience was that led the car to go into the wall and what he could recall,” he said. “I’d like to know more about that. I’d like to know how he got into the racing piece.”

It was an accident of his own, while racing as an amateur at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut, that prompted Molinaro to switch specialties in his early 40s and become a sports psychologist. Three decades ago he owned a Porsche 911 and traveled to Sebring, Fla., to take racing lessons.

“I would say racing is in my blood,” he said. “I ride a motorcycle even now, at the age of 72. There’s a need for speed, absolutely.”

For Brian Wilcox and his family, the memories will center on the great-grandfather who remains a popular figure in Indy 500 history.

In addition to the former Nick Molinaro taking Wilcox as his last name, a 1930s-era racer named Howard Omar Wilcox went by Howdy Wilcox II despite there being no relation. Howard S. “Howdy” Wilcox, who served as director of personnel and public relations for The Star and The Indianapolis News and helped found the Little 500 bicycle race in Bloomington in 1951, probably didn’t appreciate the confusion over his father’s name. 

After stopping by the speedway and visiting Howdy Wilcox’s gravesite at Crown Hill Cemetery, Brian Wilcox paused and considered what he would ask his famous great-grandfather if given the opportunity.

“Wow, that’s a good one,” he said. “What must it have been like to be embraced by so many of the wonderful fans in city of Indianapolis? Looking at it what it’s like now, I can only imagine what it would have been like 100 years ago to be embraced by the fans, to be loved by so many.”

Follow Mike Berardino on Twitter @MikeBerardino. His email is mberardino@gannett.com. 

Nick Molinaro, 1919 Indy Riding Mechanic 

Dr. Nick Molinaro, Testing, Lime Rock Park

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