I have been a NASCAR fan for years and have been able to get close on several occasions. I guess I could be called a ‘jaded’ race fan. Meaning I love it, but do not get star gazed around the biggest stars in motor sports. I really did not know what to expect by adding photography to my assignment.

The first day was a long one. We started at 10:00 AM and didn't get done till after midnight. It seemed I walked more in the last three days than I have in the last three years. Not only do you walk allot but you are carrying 20 - 50 pounds of equipment with you. I tried to look at the assignment from a fans perspective and give you what I would want to see. I looked for close racing among the biggest stars but I also wanted to show pit road after a pit stop. I will always remember my first time headed toward the small door in the safety fence in turn four. As you walk up to it and see the cars flying by at 170mph. just feet from where you are about to be you get a rush like none I have experienced. As you step into the arena like a gladiator armed with your camera gear you realize you only have a six inch wall between you and a 3500 pound race car. The cars fly by and you try and get them into focus and in the frame at the same time. This is much more difficult in a night race than in the daytime. You are constantly listening between race coverage, team coverage and the NASCAR officials to have a idea as too what is happening. You see the cars for maybe a total of 5 seconds. In that time you have to focus on the cars and get the shot. I found this to be very difficult until you got used to the speeds of the cars.

After shooting in turn four for a while, I trek my way down a very busy pit road. You have to pay very close attention to what is happening 360 degrees around you. Everything happens very fast. There are tires being rolled across in front of you. Gas cans in carts are being pulled in both directions at jogging speeds. They need to get gas from Sunoco or they need the cans filled. It’s a never ending process all night!! Amongst all of this you have hundreds of fans trying to get close to the action. Some, who obviously are in awe of their surroundings, just about get run over by crew members. It doesn’t matter to the team, they need to get it done! The teams do everything at incredible speeds but with the gracefulness of the ballet. Every move is as calculated as a pass at Talladega. The fans that have the access to the pits need to understand that there are allot of people that need to work. This includes the photographer. As I jogged down pit road going to turn one I found myself frustrated with the fans in the way. I can only imagine what the teams felt like. As soon as you hear that the caution has come out everybody goes into a higher gear. The pit crews grab helmets and gloves; they limber up on and around the pit box. The sign comes down the tires get into place, gas cans readied. The crew stands on the wall waiting to jump in front of a car that is still moving at 45 mph. As many times as I have seen a pit stop on television I was amazed at the actual speed of the car coming in.  There is much to be said about “there’s nothing like being there” . These guys are true athletes with no anticipation to the risk serious injuries.

As the Cup race was coming to a close I decide to get in victory lane for a spot to take pictures. We did not have a reserved spot like some others do.  As I waited, I watched all the happenings in victory lane as well. Speed (Television) comes in and sets up a desk. They bring in a TV and cameras. Their crew gets into place so they’re ready for the post race show. I see sponsors being escorted into position, ready for the winner.. To my amazement, everything here is well choreographed like a pit stop. I wait as the race ends and then the crew comes racing in. The excitement level goes to a new high. As the car approaches everyone gets instructions as to what will happen next. It's feels like you’re on a movie set at this point. One person directing everyone and making sure it all goes smooth. The driver jumps out - I shoot pictures one after another trying to get that one shot that everyone wants to see. I am trying to give the fans the feeling of being there

Dollar General 300 & Bank of America 500 by Brad Keppel and Ed Coombs Lowes Motor Speedway Oct. 11-13, 2007 More LMS Photos 2 0 0 7   G a l l e r y

themselves. I realized afterwards I have never seen any picture that can create what I was experiencing right then.

After waiting for interviews and all the hats that need to be worn, the Champaign is finally flowing. After the last drop fell onto Victory Lane I grab my gear and hobbled my aching tired body to the car in the media parking lot, only to be stuck in traffic. Jeff Gordon remains in the media center.

I can’t wait to do it again.