NASCAR – Phoenix International Raceway – Arizona Event Photographer
Twice each year, the NASCAR nation invades Avondale, Arizona, making it, overnight, the third or fourth largest city in the state. It is a sight to behold. Fleets of 18 wheelers bring in cars, crew, equipment, tires, and the many other assets required to put on the show. Everything about the enterprise is big: huge engines, capacity crowds, ear-splitting noise, outsized egos, piles of money.
I love going to these races. Power, danger, speed. And the closer you get to the track, the more of a rush it is. This past weekend I found a spot on the straightaway from which to shoot that put me about a foot and a half from the cars screaming past. When a large group went by, it was all I could do to keep from being blown over. The sound, even with earplugs in, was deafening. It was one of those laugh out loud, what a rush experiences. Here are a few of the images from the weekend:
NASCAR officials meeting first thing in the morning.
Nationwide Series and Sprint Cup cars taking practice laps
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Scott Lagasse Jr.
Pit Crews
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Coming into the pits during practice
Kyle Busch returning to the garage.
Marcus Ambrose showing off as he returns to the garage.
Practicing to present the American flag.
Joey Logano, who just turned 18, leads Dale Earnhardt Jr.
The Sprint Cup winner, 50 year old Mark Martin.
