NASCAR at Pocono (Bunch O'Pics)

**moose135** · 2008-06-12, 01:27 AM

Hit the NASCAR race at the big triangle track in Pennsylvania last weekend. Sunday was a long, hot day, with a big crowd (140,000+) and lots of noise. In other words, just about a perfect day :D Hit the track Friday for practice and qualifying, found some "indoor" activities for Saturday (temps were expected to be around 97F). These photos are all from race day on Sunday.

You can buy just about anything in the vendor area...used race tires, just $20!

Air Force General Bruce Carlson was on hand to swear in a group of new USAF recruits.

Lot's of big white lenses around the track this weekend :D

USMC color guard during pre-race ceremonies.

Tight quarters on pit road.

Clint Boyer spun coming out of turn 3 onto the front stretch, and ended up backed into the wall.

Unfortunately, Boyer spun right in front of Juan Pablo Montoya. Among other things, the hit damaged Montoya's oil cooler, causing him to go down the front stretch trailing flames, eventually stopping at the exit of pit road.

NASCAR really is a team sport - even the best drivers can't win without a good pit crew.

Sam Hornish had several encounters with the wall Sunday.

Kasey Kahne takes the checkered flag for the win!

And now it's time to make the donuts :D

More photos here

**flyboy 28** · 2008-06-12, 12:42 PM

Great shots Moose. I've been up to Pocono a couple of times. It really is a nice facility to watch a race.

**T-Bird76** · 2008-06-12, 07:02 PM

Wow there is so much that can be said for that first picture and NASCAR but I won't say a thing ;) hehe Great shots John. You always seem to capture some nice action at events like this.

**PhilDernerJr** · 2008-06-12, 07:12 PM

Moose, if you ever want some company at a race, lemme know, I'd love to go see one.

**MarkLawrence** · 2008-06-12, 07:15 PM

Really nice shots Moose!!

**Greg_NY** · 2008-06-12, 10:16 PM

Very nice photos of the event. Did you buy the pre-race pit pass? I have done that in the past and that gets you very close to the action.

Good day for the Mopar boys

**stuart schechter** · 2008-06-12, 11:31 PM

Kahne, one of my favorites. Kids got some great potential.

**moose135** · 2008-06-13, 12:42 AM

Thanks guys!

Originally Posted by Greg_NY

Very nice photos of the event. Did you buy the pre-race pit pass? I have done that in the past and that gets you very close to the action.

Good day for the Mopar boys

Like I always say - It's Mopar or it's no car :) I didn't get a pit pass this time, I have in the past. The past couple of years (when I wasn't working with an ARCA team) I would spend most of Friday on pit road, and sometimes head over Saturday morning as well. There are way too many people out there Sunday morning to make it worth going out before the race. They raised the price this year, and with my employment situation, it was a little more than I wanted to spend, especially since I wasn't sure I would be going to the track Saturday. I may do it for the August race.

Originally Posted by stuart schechter

Kahne, one of my favorites. Kids got some great potential.

I was wearing my Kasey Kahne shirt Sunday, so I was happy with the results. Looks like they are on a roll, hope they can keep it up the rest of the season.

**mirrodie** · 2008-06-13, 09:38 AM

Great shots John. And you nailed a 'photo finish'!

Gotta ask, assumed 100 iso, what shutter speed did you hit that at? And how fast was that guy going you figure?

**moose135** · 2008-06-13, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by mirrodie

Great shots John. And you nailed a 'photo finish'!

Gotta ask, assumed 100 iso, what shutter speed did you hit that at? And how fast was that guy going you figure?

Thanks Mario. Actually it was getting late afternoon (nearly 6:30) and I had bumped the ISO to 200 - I had been shooting between 100 & 200 depending on cloud cover, etc. Shot that one at 1/500 sec, maybe could have bumped that up some, although I don't find the blur of the car to detract from the shot. He's running around 190mph at that point.

That's a shot I always try to get - my seat for the June race gives me that angle on the finish. It's funny, to get that shot, I set the camera to high-speed continuous, to use the 6.5fps on the 40D, focused on the finish line, and watched with the other eye to see when he got close, then let it fly. Got off about 6 shots, only the first one (shown) had the car in it!