I was asked to cover my first NASCAR event this weekend at the Pepsi Max 400 in Fontana, CA. I really didn’t know what to expect, such as the crowds, noise, and adrenaline rush. Although there isn’t much “movement” per say, there is a lot of ground covered by these cars. I was pretty impressed with the cars and the pure power they actually harness. I decided to head over on Saturday to get some stock photos of the drivers as well as some environmental shots. I first got the shots of the top 10 guys in their garage. None of the drivers were out yet, just the crew taking care of the cars.
I also wandered around to other garages such as Juan Montoya’s.
The stock shots are right before the drivers get into their cars. It doesn’t really last that long, and the drivers don’t really like to cooperate. So you are just being paparazzi on them, such as here with Kevin Harvick.
And Jimmie Johnson, not the most exciting guy to try to get some photos of.
Denny Hamlin already suited and ready to go get some practice in.
I thought it was cool to see someone up top of the crews stations, taking some notes. But I don’t really know why.
Martin Truex Jr getting in the zone.
Dale Earnhardt Jr is a really hard person to get some quality shots of. He just gets right out of his trailer straight to his car. No standing around, and a helmet on quickly.
And of course, a shot of Richard Petty.
The next day, was the same schedule, but I don’t know why I woke up at 6am. I got to the track around 7:30, but the race didn’t start until noon. Well I had to try to make the best out of my time so I tried to walk around the garages again. This time a checklist was made on Carl Edwards car, I just thought it was cool.
The 14 wheelers lugging the trailers/stations that the crew and drivers hide in.
Dave Blaney’s car getting inspected, to see if they meet NASCAR regulations.
I like this shot of Jimmie Johnson’s car getting worked on.
The Fan Zone had some activities going on, such as the Kenny Loggins concert. I had to go give it a try, except the lighting was horrible. I rather work in the dark environments I was used to, but I guess I had to make it work.
Kenny Loggins
I then walked back to the photo center to transmit some photos. After I got some images up I walked to pit row to see what the spectators were doing. Nothing but I got this cool shot of all the cars in a line.
I then waited for the start of the race and got some photos of the driver’s introductions. I thought this was pretty hilarious, Carl Edwards with the Aflac duck.
Also a kid signing the start/finish line.
And the race is off! I typically see the shot down the straight away with all the cars line up. I kind of wanted a different perspective.
After a few shots, I went to get some pit shots. So while I was waiting I practiced panning. I got this shot of Mark Martin passing Jimmie Johnson.
And a wide Jimmie Johnson pit shot.
And waiting again, with the crew this time.
Longer exposure with Juan Montoya’s pit shot.
I tried to get around the track and get some different stuff. Here is a longer exposure at turn 2? Actually it was turn three.
The empty grandstands.
One of many caution flags.
Caution with a view of turn four and it’s orange light.
Some of the stock photos I got, I liked the vertical crop to show the line of cars.
Exhaust flames!
Tony Stewart on the inside of Jimmie Johnson. Tony ended up beating Jimmie at the end of the race.
I then went back into the pit to get a burn out shot at the end of the race, too bad Tony Stewart isn’t that big of a show off, but I did get this cool shot after a pit stop.
and the not so fancy burn out. Horrible pic because everything in the race track is back lit!
And my two shots, wide and tele on Victory Lane. I used two cameras, one in each hand.
My tele shot.
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