Some of the fabric's protection is down to the material's flame resistance—it just doesn't like burning. Mostly it's a function of Nomex's very poor heat transmission, and drivers like Grosjean ...

Fire pants are made of high-strength, flame-resistant, synthetic Nomex material. Beneath their fire pants and fire shirts, wildland firefighters must wear 100% cotton undergarments.

Dr. Wilfred Sweeny -- the scientist who revolutionized firefighting, professional racing and other thermal-related professions by discovering the life-saving Nomex fire resistant material -- will ...