Bristol Motor Speedway

[Tom W]

Looking for some information about Bristol. In particular, I'm interested in what kind of distances I'll be dealing with so that I can choose which lenses I will take to the upcoming NASCAR race. Unfortunately, I'll be sitting up in the stands, about halfway up, and over turn 3 (actually not too bad if they're anything like the turn 3 seats I had at Indy a few years ago).

Anybody with experience at that track feel free to speak up - it will be much appreciated.

TIA

[Harry Settle]

I did a shoot from the stands in between turn 1 & 2 and got really great shots of everything on that half of the track with my 70-300.

[JAZZ D.P.G.]

I know this track.

Nobody brings a new car to Bristol.

this track was a football/track field before being converted into a track. it is a big aluminum bowl with a track in the center.

Turn three is a good spot, you can easily reach the out of turn two and be right on top of into turn three. There is a weird dip going into three that distorts the vision of the driver, and causes many wreaks. The stretch is an active pass area and creates some fun going into three. Daytime race, the stands and sunlight create some unusual lighting for the drivers.

Longest zoom you can use, or get into the track with.

Halfway up is steep, the seating is much steeper than Indy. Very much upper grandstand style seating.

Watch the pit exit out of the end of turn three as well.

If you look along the line of the track into the stands, and continue up the stands, you will see a camera position (#3) under the roof line there (I've worked in it).

Enjoy the show. This is a cross between dirt and oval racing that is really hard on cars and drivers!

[Tom W]

Thanks, both of you. I guess that the 100-400 is the lens to take for most shots.