Experiencing NASCAR at Talladega
Last weekend I finally got my first chance to experience shooting a NASCAR event, I admit, I’m not a big follower of the sport and have only casually watched a few races but, I’m not one to turn down a great opportunity, and I’ve seen colleagues namely Mark Rebilas come up big by capturing a huge crash during the race. If you haven’t seen his work before I suggest you visit his blog, Mark’s images of NASCAR was the reason I was interested in shooting.
I went into the weekend wanting to come back with some Rebilas type images, unfortunately the action during the races didn’t come my way except for one shot that I received a compliment from Mark on the flame shot.
The photo below of the Red Bull #4 car driven by Kasey Kahne catching fire was the only image I was truly happy with from the weekend and while I was disappointed I didn’t come away with more good shots I was reminded that shooting NASCAR is feast of famine and that had I got a major crash type shot I would be hooked on shooting NASCAR.
April 17, 2011; Talladega, AL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kasey Kahne (4) glides through the grass as he catches fire during the Aarons 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
Coming into the weekend I reminded again and again to keep my eye peeled, the “Big One” could happen at anytime, and I was stationed in Turn 4 where some major crashes and great photos have been made in the past.
Before my Talladega assignment I studied up on some of the shots colleagues have taken from the same location I would be stationed, I thought I would be well prepared for anything come race day, and I was prepared for race day, what I wasn’t prepared for was shooting out in the garage area on practice day on Friday before the race.
Practice day was already hectic as it was a race against the clock to get practices in before a major weather system moved into the area. The problem for me in the garage, I was not familiar with the drivers, and walking out around the garage area I didn’t see many drivers, I later discovered the drivers only show up just before taking their practice run, it was a pretty hectic atmosphere with cars running in and out of the garage area and me pretty much recognizing only who Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and a few other drivers, I didn’t get too many good shots in the garage, it was a learning experience though and I certainly know how to approach shooting the garage if I get an opportunity to shoot another race.
The photo below of Office Depot #14 car Tony Stewart was my best shot from the garage area.
April 15, 2011; Talladega, AL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Tony Stewart (14) in his car in the garage before practice for the Aarons 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
Shooting the actual race of course was just a little repetitive, most drivers teamed up as nearly the entire course was filled with two car drafting, I closely watched my area at turn four waiting for any sign of a wreck, but all I saw for most of the race was two car drafts and single car shots, being it was my first time shooting NASCAR I did shoot something of every car on the track click here to see a gallery of from the Aarons 499 at Talladega.
Below a wide shot as a pack of cars pass through turn four.
April 17, 2011; Talladega, AL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Clint Bowyer (33) leads a pack of cars during the Aarons 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
Dale Earnhardt Jr. a fan favorite at Talladega teamed up with Jimmie Johnson as a drafting partners, Johnson would be pushed past Clint Boyer and Jeff Gordon on the final straightaway to take the checkered flag.
April 17, 2011; Talladega, AL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) bump drafts with Jimmie Johnson (48) during the Aarons 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
Below are a few shots as racers take the final turn at the Talladega Superspeedway, Jimmy Johnson running 5th in the photo below would get a final push by Dale Earnhardt Jr. to win in one of the closest finishes on record.
April 17, 2011; Talladega, AL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Mark Martin (5) drafts Jeff Gordon (24), Kevin Harvick (29) drafts Clint Bowyer (33) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) drafts Jimmie Johnson (48) as they take turn four on the final lap during the Aarons 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
April 17, 2011; Talladega, AL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Jeff Gordon (24), Mark Martin (5), Clint Bowyer (33), Kevin Harvick (29), Jimmie Johnson (48) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) make the final turn during the Aarons 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
April 17, 2011; Talladega, AL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson (48) looks out as he takes a victory lap following the Aarons 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
Going back to the best moment of the race, at least for me as a photographer, the Kasey Kahne crash and fire, here are a few frames from the accident.
April 17, 2011; Talladega, AL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kasey Kahne (4) wreck in front of Travis Kvapil (38) during the Aarons 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
April 17, 2011; Talladega, AL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kasey Kahne (4) car catches fire during the Aarons 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
April 17, 2011; Talladega, AL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kasey Kahne (4) car catches fire following a wreck during the Aarons 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle
