Nikon D3s, 24-70mm, 1250iso, f4.5, 1/100th, Manual

Englishtown is a track I grew up going to as a kid. When I didn’t have a camera in my hands you were sure to find me playing beneath the grandstands. I hadn’t been to the track since 2003 so it would be a walk down memory lane for my return!

Above, by setting the camera down on the ground next to an opening in the wall I was able to capture a dramatic shot showing the power in an NHRA top fuel dragster as the huge Goodyear tire wrinkles like it was flat as Tony Schumacher launches off the starting line.

Below, pro mod driver Chip King rides out a half track wheel stand on his way to a five second qualifying time. It was pretty badass to see him stay in the throttle with all the trust in the world that the two inch wide wheelie bar won’t snap.

Nikon D3s, 600mm, 400iso, f4, 1/3200th, Manual

Check out this up close view showing the eye of pro stock motorcycle rider Shawn Gann concentrating on the christmas tree as he launches off the starting line during qualifying.

Nikon D800, 600mm, 1600iso, f4, 1/800th, Manual

NHRA top fuel dragster driver Rit Pustari blows out a head gasket and has a fire during qualifying for the Supernationals at Raceway Park.

Nikon D800, 600mm with 1.4 convertor (850mm), 640iso, f5.6, 1/1600th, Manual

Not to be out down, top fuel dragster driver Luigi Novelli would have engine problems that resulted in raw fuel lighting on fire leaving behind a yellow cloud of heat waves.

Nikon D800, 600mm with 1.4 convertor (850mm), 640iso, f5.6, 1/2000th, Manual

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In this shot of top fuel driver Steve Torrence you can really see the extreme tire distortion and the body panels of his car being sucked in by the 320 mph air as he crosses the finish line during the final qualifying session.

Nikon D800, 600mm with 1.4 convertor (850mm), 640iso, f5.6, 1/3200th, Manual

The excitement wasn’t only limited to the dragsters as funny car driver Mike Smith would show us as he got his purple car extremely sideways alongside Cruz Pedregon during final qualifying.

Nikon D800, 600mm with 1.4 convertor (850mm), 640iso, f5.6, 1/2500th, Manual

As the large Englishtown mingles beneath, crew members for funny car driver Bob Tasca III load his back up car onto the hauler in the pro pits following qualifying.

Nikon D3s, 70-200mm, 400iso, f5.6, 1/3200th, Aperture Priority

In this shot you get an up close view as smoke coming from the header pipes on the car of NHRA top fuel dragster driver Steve Torrence after warming up in their pit area during the Supernationals at Raceway Park.

Nikon D3s, 70-200mm, 400iso, f4, 1/200th, Aperture Priority

Following the conclusion of the race a large storm would rip through the area drenching the track with water. I was on my way out of the track trying to beat traffic but upon seeing this sight I quickly threw my crappy rental car in reverse and ran out into the rain to shoot the shot. I am glad I did!

Nikon D800, 24-70mm, 1250iso, f2.8, 1/6400th, Aperture Priority

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