I find tunes exceptionally useful when
- The race announcer annoys me and I don't want to listen
- Some puke is next to me on the drivers stand sees fit to bitch the whole race at racers, turn marshals, whatever
- I find myself in a chatty mood
- Stuck next to the generator because I got to the track late and got the primo pit spot
- I need to chill for one reason or another
When I used to play poker tournaments, I always had them in, but just barely loud enough where I could hear them. If somebody who was totally obnoxious got sat next to me, I'd just crank it up where I couldn't hear them anymore. Didn't do much good if they smelled bad, but if the other opponent was attempting to put you on tilt so you could take advantage of you, it worked like a charm.