Texas Motor Speedway - lens suggestions

Hey folks, I'm heading to TMS this weekend for the NASCAR series races & I wanted to get some insight on what glass to take with me...

I'll be shooting with a 7D Mark II + 17-55 2.8 IS

I have the ability to borrow glass from my job...

Currently I have a 70-200 2.8 & 400 2.8 reserved...

Is there a better option i could go with? Is 400 too much on an apsc?


Thoughts?

Will they let big lenses in to TMS? Daytona they stopped me and I had to take them back to the car.

Were you shooting as a spectator or as a credentialed photographer?

I was able to get the 70-200 into Kansas speedway. If you are shooting from the stands you'll want the longest lens they will allow you in with. Dont expect great shots from the stands.

I went as a spectator and my 400 wasn't allowed. Once inside I did see a few 70-200's and Nikon equivalents. Some gate agents take their jobs more seriously than others I suppose.

When it comes to gate agents it might be helpful to reverse the hood or leave it at home. You can also consider a less imposing looking lens like a 135L and a 1.4 x teleconvertor.

I'll be there as a credentialed photographer, so im pretty sure there won't be lens restrictions for me...

Ive never been to TMS so im unfamiliar with the photo holes along the track as well as the pit/garage area...

Anybody photographed at TMS under a credential?

I would be surprised if you use the 17-55 more than 10% of the time (IE: when you're in the garages). TMS is a huge track, so you'll probably be using the 70-200 at minimum and 400 is much more likely.

Here's a quick blog from Mark Rebilas from several years back, which shows his lens selection. notice that his most used lens is the 600mm, and he even combines that with a 1.4x tele in many shots as well.

http://markjrebilas.co​m …rapher-locks-keys-in-car/

well, i survived my weekend at TMS

gear I took:
Canon 7D Mark II
Canon 17-55mm f2.8 IS
Canon 70-200mm f2.8 IS L
Canon 300mm f4 IS L

I probably used the 70-200 the majority of the time...I did use the 17-55 quite a bit...I found at some of the photo holes, a telephoto was just too much...So I went wide & worked on slow shutter panning when the cars flew by the small opening

Here are a few results...
FRIDAY NIGHT

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/AgJi​HC

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/AUGb​GT

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/AXTJ​Ao

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/zXNW​iM

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/zXEJ​eJ

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/AC5V​g3

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/AUGn​gZ

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/AC65​zU

SUNDAY

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/AVFF​GZ

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/AgJu​pr

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/AC66​1U

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/AgKk​n6

Of the images you posted, I only see 1 'keeper' with the 17-55, and it's low on the 'likely to be used' scale depending on the outlet. The "Napa" car in the pan shot just isn't sharp enough to pass my filter, but could be interesting in the right context.

You definitely got some solid shots overall! Nice work.

I have many more i haven't posted to this thread or to Flickr...i used the 17-55 in the garage & pit walks

But thanks for your input