NASCAR at TMS (Updated - Sunday's Sprint Cup Race)

[Joe_Lorenzini]

Went out today to walk around the track and find some good vantage points. I'll continously update this thread with images from the weekend.

Here's a few of Joey during today's (Thursday) practice session...




Joe

[RaceImages]

I'm envious of you guys getting to go there this weekend. I have to wait 2 1/2 more months until they get here to Sears Point.

[Joe_Lorenzini]

Here are a few more. Slim pickens today...

Brad Keselowski coming around turn 2 during practice:


Brad getting out of his car. He would later wreck during qualifying:


Your pole sitter for the Nationwide race, Mr. Kyle Busch:


How's this for a cool GPS location (grin):


Tomorrow, the big boys are up.

Joe

[Davidtxs]

awesome stuff love the blur on busch

[doctahjones]

man, i'd love to go out there and try to take some shots like that! great pictures!

[sporkthedork]

Very nice captures. My in-laws are going up there this weekend for the race. I hope they remember their earplugs!

[Joe_Lorenzini]

Here's a few from today...

Damn, if this isn't one bad-ass pace car!


178 laps with the same leader...


During the first pit stop. Cars in order are Kyle Bush, Carl Edwards, Tony Stewart, Dale Jr (not in his stall yet) and Joey Logano:


A little love for the fan base:


Joe

[AndrewCCM]

Now that's my kinda NASCAR fans!

[Roy]

What a colorful place! Nice shooting Joe and good job getting the "extra" shots we don't normally see.

[toverman]

How bad was the wind inside the track? Those gals are crazy!

[CaptainTom]

The truth is that the last photo was not taken with a fisheye lens.
It is a normal focal length, but was just bulging with excitement over those girls......

[Davidtxs]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

The truth is that the last photo was not taken with a fisheye lens.
It is a normal focal length, but was just bulging with excitement over those girls......

Another great feature of the D3?? excitement buldge
great stuff Joe

[Joe_Lorenzini]

If you've ever shot with a fisheye you know how close I had to get in order to grab this shot... so let's just say it worked out being that it wasn't her first beer of the day (this shot was taken during the last 10 laps of the race).

[Flynlow]

Nice shots! I was there and I got a few good shots, but nothing like yours. I did have a pit pass, but it wasn't hot so I could only go in during practice.

Oh, but the photos I can't share here.... Saturday night was a fun one!

Jack

Originally Posted by Joe_Lorenzini

If you've ever shot with a fisheye you know how close I had to get in order to grab this shot... so let's just say it worked out being that it wasn't her first beer of the day (this shot was taken during the last 10 laps of the race).

[Joe_Lorenzini]

Ok, here's the final batch...

First off, it was a good day of shooting. Lots of sun, lots of shutter speeds and small apertures. Unfortunately when it came to people shots, lots of shadows (everyone in NASCAR wears hats).

Second, it's always more fun shooting with quality people like David and Matt who VERY kindly share spots and advice.

So here's a few from Sunday's race which while might have been devoid of drama, had the best possible ending.

When the cars are lining up, the garage empties out:


Tony Stewart in his new colors. Photographer's love when guys change teams (or grow beards) as agencies have to buy all new photos:


There's nothing better than a full crowd and a restart. It's photo gold:


This is the pit stop that won Jeff Gordan the race. There were probably 12 photogs and just as many video guys all crowded together to get this shot. Luckily for all of us, Gordon's pit was right next to an opening that fit us all in. That's his tire guy "Houston" raising his hands in triumph:


Jeff celebrating with his fans. I've never seen so many fans rush the fence and I think it really helps this (and all the other) burnout photos:


Joe