NASCAR AAA Texas 500 - Texas Motor Speedway

This past weekend was my 1st ever NASCAR race...as a photographer & in general...I'm a sportscar/formula guy myself...I have a new found respect for this sport all around & will definitely being going to more races next season...Here are some images from the weekend

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nice variety

Really nice series! Congrats. Very different shots indeed.
I love the access that fans can have at Nascar races. We can get so close to the cars and drivers before the race, so far I've never seen that in any other sport (except WEC maybe). I'm a French fan and I've attended three races already (Dover, Richmond and Chicagoland). Maybe a fourth next year (Phoenix), fingers crossed.
I suppose you need to be a professional to get this terrific access during the race?

I was credentialed for this event...no place off limits for me...i enjoyed myself! Will definitely be going to more races next season

ExplicitSnow wrote in post #17782650
I was credentialed for this event...no place off limits for me...i enjoyed myself! Will definitely be going to more races next season

And you need to be a professional to get those credentials... Were there times when you feared you'be in other people's way (not photographers)?

no need to put the word "professional" in front of it...the term "professional" is a loose term...basically "professional" means you get paid to do a certain job...i used to be & still know plenty of very good photographers who do it as their passion & dont get paid...but if you looked at their photos, you would consider them "professional"

most if not all racing organizations, tracks, etc require the photographer to be on assignment for an approved media outlet...

being in other people's way? not really...the only time i even came remotely close to blocking someone's view or impeding them from a cell phone picture was during the driver parade announcement before the Sunday race...I was there working, I was there to do a job...I try not to be rude & completely block someone, but there are times where I may step in front of someone to get a shot, but i dont ever camp there & intentionally block their view...i had a lady very rudely tell me "wtf?! why are you in MY way?! move please!!!" i turned around, looked at her, turned back around & continued to do my job...had she been polite & asked me nicely, i would have gladly crouched down, moved a step over, or went to an entirely different area...but since she didnt, i stayed where i was & continued to get the shots i needed/wanted

ExplicitSnow wrote in post #17783009
being in other people's way? not really...the only time i even came remotely close to blocking someone's view or impeding them from a cell phone picture was during the driver parade announcement before the Sunday race...I was there working, I was there to do a job...I try not to be rude & completely block someone, but there are times where I may step in front of someone to get a shot, but i dont ever camp there & intentionally block their view...i had a lady very rudely tell me "wtf?! why are you in MY way?! move please!!!" i turned around, looked at her, turned back around & continued to do my job...had she been polite & asked me nicely, i would have gladly crouched down, moved a step over, or went to an entirely different area...but since she didnt, i stayed where i was & continued to get the shots i needed/wanted

I was more thinking of the people who were working (on pit road for example) rather than the fans and spectators. This is something that I would be worried about. I would fear to be in a wrong spot, in someone's way and therefore bothering someone who is working on the race.

Well, there are areas that are off limits...each organization has their own set of rules

Nascar you must be behind the concrete barriers & outside of the teams pit box...so accidents dont happen

WEC allows photographers to be right next to the car during pit stops with appropriate fire suit & helmet...obviously, knowing your surroundings & being aware of what action is taking place is what saves you from getting in the way

This shot i was about 6ft away
https://flic.kr/p/yZdv​fS

Same for this 1
https://flic.kr/p/zhsH​4s

All of my pit stop photos from nascar were behind the wall & in authorized areas