After two days of sunny skies we would arrive to the track on race day to overcast skies. While cloudy makes the long day less strenuous, Phoenix is one of the best tracks for nice light so it was a slight disappointment to not have the wonderful sun light to work with. On to the race!
On race day, I always start off by roaming the Sprint Cup garage area looking for photos. Even the laziest photographer can find cool photos to take in the garage!
Canon 1Dx, 16-35mm, 100iso, f8, 1/200th, Manual
Crew members change engines in the car of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Busch in the garage prior to the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.
Canon 1Dx, 16-35mm, 1600iso, f2.8, 1/2000th, Aperture Priority
Crew members for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Greg Biffle eat lunch in the garage area prior to the race.
Canon 1Dx, 16-35mm, 2000iso, f2.8, 1/2000th, Aperture Priority
Here is something I’ve never seen at a race…. A crew member for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr receives a massage in the garage area.
Prior to the start of the race is also a good time to get shots as the drivers are out and about and the rabid fans are everywhere!
Canon 1Dx, 16-35mm, 100iso, f8, 1/80th, Aperture Priority
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series fans surround the main stage during driver introductions prior to the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.
One of my highlights of the day had to be the below moment where an obsessed fan snuck out onto pit road and up to Danica a few minutes before she was to climb into her car.
He was so close to getting his autograph….. before a team PR representative intervened and shoo’ed him away. Check out the disappointment in his face!
Canon 1Dx, 400mm, 1000iso, f6.3, 1/1000th, Manual
A Danica Patrick fan suffers the disappointment of not getting his 1/24th scale diecast car signed. #denied!
Before anyone bashes Danica for not being friendly, there is a time and a place for autographs, moments before the national anthem when she is in race mode is not such a time.
For the start of the race I would set up shop on the outside of turn two.
Canon 1Dx, 16-35mm, 400iso, f7.1, 1/1250th, Manual
Here is the view from the outside of turn two. Being that this is on the pace lap, I stuck my camera all the way through the photo hole to get more of the catch fence and soft wall in the shot.
Canon 1Dx, 70-200mm, 400iso, f5.6, 1/5000th, Aperture Priority
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Greg Biffle leads a line of cars through turn two early in the race.
Canon 1Dx, 70-200mm, 400mm, f5.6, 1/2500th, Aperture Priority
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Busch spins in turn two during the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.
After about an hour in two it was time to roam around and look for some different shots.
Canon 1Dx, 70-200mm, 640iso, f5.6, 1/8000th, Aperture Priority
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series fans watch the Subway Fresh Fit 500 as they listen to the play by play with their scanner headsets.
Canon 1Dx, 70-200mm, 640iso, f5.6, 1/4000th, Aperture Priority
Fans walk along the trackside catch fence and cable safety system during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.
While editing photos in the media room I would hear a loud bang and hear fans reacting. Looking out the media room window I could see Danica Patricks destroyed car come to a stop.
I grabbed my camera and sprinted out to pit road to capture a dejected Danica walking away from her destroyed car.
Canon 1Dx, 70-200mm, 640iso, f3.2, 1/6400th, Manual
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Danica Patrick is tended to by safety crew members after blowing a tire and crashing.
Canon 1Dx, 70-200mm, 250iso, f5.6, 1/500th, Manual
With desert mountains as a backdrop, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr races through turn two.
In the end it would be all Carl Edwards who would take his first Cup victory in 70 races. That is two seasons of no wins for a guy who lost the Championship on a tie breaker two years ago.
Canon 1Dx, 70-200mm, 500iso, f2.8, 1/1250th, Manual
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards celebrates with his trademark backflip after winning the Subway Fresh Fit 500.
Canon 1Dx, 70-200mm, 500iso, f2.8, 1/1250th, Manual
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards looks at his crew and celebrates after his backflip.
- Canon 1Dx, 24-70mm, 640iso, f4.5, 1/1000th, Manual
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards celebrates after winning the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.
That wraps up my first NASCAR race of the year. Not sure when my next one will be but stay tuned!
8 Responses to “10 Spot / NASCAR Phoenix Sunday”
Leave a Reply
Check out my Facebook page devoted my photography where I routinely share my favorite photos from each shoot as well as favorite photos from the past. Click the below banner to check it out. Be sure to "like" the page so you can be kept up to date on all the events I am doing!
Hi Mark, I thought u were a Nikon guy? I love the shot through the photo hole showing the wall and fence!! looks like u are on the track !!! Jim B.
Mark,
Do you use Photo Mechanic for cpationing, etc.?
Your pic of Carl’s backflip was MUCH better than the one used in USA Today online.
1 ticket to the Subway Fresh Fit 500: $60
1 1/24 scale die cast of the GoDaddy.com car: $75
The look on the guys face when he didn’t get the car autographed: priceless!
missed all the good stuff, wreaks, this race- oh well
but the one of Dale Jr priceless
Love the bald spot hahaha
Not only is that crew member getting a massage – she’s wearing stilettos — I’ve never seem a “masseuse” wear heels… That’s something right there.
Great shots. Love your blog.