David Reutimann celebrates with his daughter after the race is called by NASCAR

All Right, let me get this out of the way right now……………..I have read several different articals basically taking something away from David Reutimann because he won this race due to a rain delay.  That’s Bullshit! David played by the rules of the game and won fair and square!  The other 13 drivers that were ahead of him and pited when the red flag was thrown for rain could have (and should have) elected to stay out and hold their position.  It is just that David’s team played the best move for them, and it just happened to be the best move for the “end game” of the race.  He won it fair and square…..no two ways about it. Not only did he win it, but he won it in a very spectacular, and very “smart” fashion.  Good going David………..job well done!

As far as this reaction shot to winning the race, the above shot is really nothing all that great.  NASCAR made all of us stand out in the rain for more than 2 and 1/2 hours before they called it.  And when they did finally call it, they would not let the MEDIA anywhere near David to get his reaction.  This shot was made AFTER we were allowed to run over to where David was standing.  His daughter had just gotten to him, and this was the resulting Image.

Thanks for looking,

Sam

Here are some images of David Reutimann and Team owner Michael Waltrip waiting out the rain:

David Reutiman and Michael Waltrip waiting out the rain

David Reutimann and Michael Waltrip waiting out the rain

Micheal Waltrip looks up as the rain falls

David Reutimann looks up at the rain........wonders when NASCAR will call the race

I think that the above shot speaks a lot about the day.  We all kept looking to the sky to see what was going to happen.  David just happen to have an expression on his face that reminded me of “when is this ever going to end.”  Kinda the way we all felt that day.

Pit Stops played a major role in the race for the day.  After all…..if David had come in to pit, he would have lost the race.  Both Ryan Newman (39) and Kyle Busch (18) were players all day long in this race.  when I went to get pit stops, I really wanted to capture them, I really thought that Kyle was going to pull it off.  Here is what I came up with:

Kyle Busch and the #18 MnMs Toyota come in to pit

The #18 MnMs Crew of Kyle Busch pit the car

The following images of the #39 car were taken from the end of Pit Road where you can get out in front of pit road due to the configuration of the pit road wall.  I am sure that the Track did not intend for this position to work out like it did for photographers, but I am glad it did.  This is one of my favorite places to shoot pit stops on the whole circuit. I love the aggressive look of the whole scene:

Ryan Neewman and the #39 ARMY Chevrolet come in for a pit stop

Ryan Newman and the #39 ARMY Chevrolet come in for a pit stop

The following 2 Images are of the #5 Team pitting the car.  The one of the “catch can” man at the rear of the car is especially interesting.  I believe that Mark Marting thought that there was a problem with one of the lugs on the rear tire.  He started out of the pit, then put the car in reverse and backed up.  I don’t think that he was aware that the crew member was there.  He lifted the guy slightly off of the ground.  It could have been worse than what it was.  I was so stunned that he did it, that I almost did not fire the shot.  But I guess that my instincts held out:

The #5 Team pits the Kelloggs Chevrolet of Mark Martin

Catch Can man gets backed into by Mark Martin

The next 2 Images are just general “over all” images to show the cars coming in to pit.  I just wanted to get a sense of competition and the expanse of Pit Road at the Speedway:

Cars come down pit road as Teams wave the pit board signs in order for the driver to find his pit stall.

Cars pull out and leave pit road after their pit stop

Outside Turn 4 at LOWES Motor Speedway is one of my Favorite shooting positions on the whole circuit.  When the cars come past you at 189mph, you can feel the air pressure suck you towards them.  They come so close to the whole in the fence where you are, that if you reached out, they would take your arm off.  It is truly a “one of a kind” shooting postion in all of Sports Photography.  One that I am glad to have had the pleasure of experiencing.  Shots can be very dramatic from the position. Especially when they are photographed during the day.  This was a ral treat, because both Charoltte Races are Night Races, so I took full advantage of this situation.  I hope that you like them as much as I liked shooting them:

Jimmie Johnson (48) leads Brian Vickers (83) through Turn 4

Teammates Jeff Gordon (24) and Mark Martin (6) race through Turn 4

David Reutimann worked traffic all day long to stay on the lead lap…….here are 2 shots of him getting it accomplished:

David Reutimann (00) working Traffic

David Reutimann (00) working traffic

This next shot is a shot of Kyle Busch (18) working Traffic on the inside to gain a postion.  I really wanted to create a sense that he was “sneaking” around the competition, here is what I got:

Kyle Busch (18) works traffic in turn 4

Some of the other “Players” in the Deal were the #48 Car, The #99 Car, and of course the #18 Car who lead most of the day.  Since I was shooing mostly from the front stretch after I came back in from the outside turn postion, I wanted to stay on pit road in case it started to rain (which it did).  This is what I posted to US Presswire for Race Action:

Kyle Busch and the #18 Car. Race Action

The #48 LOWES Chevrolet and the #99 AFLAC Ford Race for position

The final Images that I wanted to show are just some portraits that I found nice.  The one of the crew member stretching before the race was real interesting with the UPS Logo.  I LOVE to shoot Mark Martin, he is really a nice person.  Just a joy to work with.  Of course I had to post something of Reutimann…..nothing great , but it got the job done:

Mark MArtin during pre race

A Crewman for David Ragan (6) gets some help stretching while on pit road duting pre race.

David Ragan wins the Coca Cola 600

Thanks for looking.  It will be a while before I get back to a race.  Bristol in Aug. is my next one.  I am getting prepared for the NFL Pre Season to start.  I LOVE Football……it keeps me close to home, and I just am a fan of the game.  Sailing is also kicking up.  Look for posts from the Charleston Ocean Racing Association’s Race Week 2009.  I myself am a Sailor and Yacht Racer, so needless to say, I love to shoot the sport.

Thanks for looking……C-ya soon.

Sam