The relationship between mental skills, experience, and stock car racing performance

Ebben WP, Gagnon J. The Relationship Between Mental Skills, Experience, and Stock Car Racing Performance. JEPonline 2012; 15(3):10-18. Stock car racing is one of the largest spectator sports in the United States. However, the experience of the driver participant has been largely unresearched. The pu...

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Published in:Journal of exercise physiology online 2012-06, Vol.15 (3), p.10-18
Main Authors: Ebben, William P, Gagnon, Jessica
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anxiety
Athletic ability
Automobile racing
Automobile racing drivers
Confidence
Experience
Mental preparation
Psychological aspects
Psychological research
Sports
Stock car racing
Success
Team sports
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Summary:Ebben WP, Gagnon J. The Relationship Between Mental Skills, Experience, and Stock Car Racing Performance. JEPonline 2012; 15(3):10-18. Stock car racing is one of the largest spectator sports in the United States. However, the experience of the driver participant has been largely unresearched. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between stock car driver performance, mental skills, and experience. Twenty male stock car drivers from throughout the United States participated. The Psychological Skills Inventory for Sports-R5 (PSIS-R5) was used to assess participants' use of mental skills. Success was evidenced by the drivers' track points ranking, regional, and national ranking. A Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to examine the relationships between these variables. Track points ranking (percentile) was negatively correlated with mental preparation (R = 0.46, P = 0.004) and anxiety coping (R = -0.53, P = 0.028). The participants' age was negatively correlated with motivation (R = -0.56, P = 0.023). The participants' motivation was correlated with self-confidence (R = 0.48, P = 0.047), mental preparation (R = 0.48; P = 0.03), and team emphasis (R = 0.46, P = 0.04). Concentration was correlated with self-confidence (R = 0.64, P = 0.002) and anxiety coping (R = 0.65, P = 0.002). Self-confidence was correlated with anxiety coping (R = 0.64, P = 0.003). Mental preparation was correlated with team emphasis (R = 0.50, P = 0.024). Stock car drivers, as well as sport psychologists who work with them, should emphasize strategies designed to reduce anxiety and should employ mental skills training to increase racing success. Key Words: Psychological Skills, Cars, Automobile Racing, PSIS-R5
ISSN:1097-9751
1097-9751