BRISTOL, Tenn. --- It takes a lot to complete 500 miles of racing at Bristol Motor Speedway, especially when it hot and humid like Saturday night's Sharpie 500.

In fact, most drivers believe it takes a finely-tuned athlete.

"I think definitely we're athletes," said Carl Edwards, whose athletic prowess includes a back-flip after each victory. "The only way I can explain it is I thought I was really in good shape and I was tough and all that, and then I ran my first Craftsman Truck Series race and I couldn't believe how hot it was and how taxing it was. It's not like you're in the car lifting weights or doing something like that, but it's really tough, especially when you start to focus because of how hostile the environment is.

"So I'd say we're athletes. I don't know if any of us would do that well in a foot race or anything, but these guys are tough that's for sure."

NASCAR drivers have fought against a perceived notion they are fried chicken-eating, beer-swilling, glorified couch potatoes who only turn left for a living. But with temperatures reaching 140 degrees inside the car and dealing with Bristol's 36-degree banking, drivers said they'd challenge anyone from Major League Baseball, the NFL or NHL to finish a race.

Most, if not all, 43 drivers in Saturday night's race train during the week. Jimmie Johnson, for example, tries to run at least 10 miles during his off days.

"If you look at the definition of what an athlete is, there's no denying that we're athletes," Jeff Burton said. "Am I the same athlete that a Michael Irvin was, that a Charles Barkley? I don't know. If you look at a center vs. a point guard they're two completely different athletes playing the same game. If you look at a lineman vs. a wide receiver, its two different types of athletes playing the same game.

"I don't believe that I'm in the same condition as one of our premier wide receivers, one of our premier point guards. I'm not in that same physical stature that one of those guys are but just because I couldn't do what they do as well as they do, I'm willing to bet they can't do what I do as well as I can either. "

Although Saturday's race was under the lights -- and about 15 degrees cooler than mid-afternoon temperatures -- drivers said the grind still wears them out. Most will lose about five pounds during the race. Many said it will take a day or two for their bodies to recover.