Race nutrition for 6am start

Eat earlier.  Seriously, an early start is really no different than any other race.  You should plan the night before to go to bed early enough that you have time to eat a breakfast of several hundred calories, low in fat, higher in complex carbohydrates.  You need to give your body the fuel it will need so it doesn't run out.  Also carbo-load the night before to keep the stores as high as possible. Don't eat anything new, and have a few "practice meals" followed by early morning training to see how you are affected.

You don't need to eat a lot before a sprint. Many people don't consume anything at all before a sprint (I am not one of them). But, a big/regular breakfast like you would do before midday races is probably not the best idea. Maybe try a bagel or some white bread with jelly, a small bowl of oatmeal, ensure, etc. You won't need much. How long do you expect to be up before the race starts? Also, you can drink some gatorade and consume a gel beforehand.

Donto, thanks for that "article".  I've been looking for a good book or something to read on Nutrition.  This 136 page article looks to be perfect.

My pre-race breakfast (not IM):

1 Banana
1 can chocolate Ensure
32oz Gatorade

1 gel ~15-20 mins before the start.

Has always worked for me.

I've been reading Sports Nutrition for Endurance Athletes by Monique Ryan and I'd recommend it.

I start the day before (plus dinner the day before that) with carbo loading. I cut back on fat and protein and just eat mostly fruits/veggies/grains.

Try to figure out what carb loading would entail for you and go for it. Top off the night before with a bottle or two of gatorade (some nutritionists encourage sodium loading on top of carbo loading ESPECIALLY if it will be hot out on race day).

Day of, bagels are fantastic. Feel free to throw in a banana and some peanut butter and a bottle or two of gatorade, or whatever sports drink. If you want to get technical, figure out how many grams of carbs per pound you need pre race.

Since it is a sprint race, also keep in mind how long it will take you to finish. Your nutrition may depend on whether or not you can finish before or after 1:30, or so (according to MR).

What you consume during the race may be something you want to keep in mind, too. Since your stomach isn't being jostled around on the bike (like on the swim and run) you'll be able to sneak a snack there if you need some energy for the run. Just don't forget that your body might have trouble digesting certain things while you're exercising because your body is working on keeping those muscles moving to race, not necessarily focused on digesting a high concentration of carbs.