Best of 2009 Drag Racing Shots

I want to share a few of my favorite shots from this past season at Mooresville Dragway.  I am intrigued with pictures that tell a story and start you thinking about what the photographer is trying to tell you through the picture.  I always try to include something into a shot that will hold the viewers attention.

In the shot below, Chris Rini and his crew chief go through this ritual before every run.  This shot reminds me of a matador teasing the bull.  They are in the arena with the spectators watching the dialog unfold to see who will be the final victor.  I especially like the way his crew chief is posed with his hands on his hips and tapping his foot impatiently.

In the next shot I noticed how the roof line of Chris’ Dodge Avenger blended with the tire smoke.  Like vapor trails coming off a jet airplane wing.  I guess that would pretty well explain why Chris is alway finishing first!  I shot this with my flash on rear curtain sync, which will most often produce a “ghosting” effect on background objects.  The young man to the right seems to be cheering Chris on in an eerie sort of way!

Here’s a shot of Todd Howard and Rocky Rainor pairing off in the Mad Dawg Final Points Race.  It reminds me of the way super-hero’s suddenly appear out of a cloud of smoke.

On this shot I did purposely positioned myself in an ideal spot as the sun was getting low in the sky.  I knew I could catch some cool shadows and as an added bonus – some pretty darn good “Rembrandt Lighting”  for “Car Portraits!”  I liked the way the light accented the translucent chutes too.

I couldn’t leave out this shot of my favorite chopped ‘57.  Reminds me of the “Batmobile” speeding through Gotham city chasing the Joker!

I love to shoot pictures in the staging lanes.  It seems when I can include people and emotion into a shot it tells the story instead of just having another nice picture.  Here I caught this young lady ready to pull into the water-box sizing up her adversary out of the corner of her eye.

I hope you enjoyed these pictures.  This cold (non-racing) weather sure makes me look forward to the start of next season.  Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

See ya at the races,

Jack

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