2022 IndyCar Race #9 Honda Indy 200 At Mid-Ohio

When I had finished laying out my 2022 schedule, I wondered about the three consecutive weekends I would spend at the Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course. I pondered the monotony, the repeated landscape, and the long drive from home.

One of the challenges of photographing motorsports is having the same subject each week. From a sponsor's viewpoint, it makes sense for companies to make their products recognizable. Repetition of logos and names builds familiarity for all brands and products.

Every long-time NASCAR fan remembers the #3 Goodwrench car when the name Dale Earnhardt is mentioned. When I started working in motorsports, Jimmie Johnson would forever become equated with Lowe's and the number 48. Just like when I picture Kyle Busch, in my mind, he is holding packs of M&M's standing next to his #18 racecar. I even use these relationships to remember things like combinations or addresses. For example, if a lock combination is 11-88-23, then I only have to remember Denny-Jr-Bubba (Denny Hamlin, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Bubba Wallace) and don't have to worry about the numbers. Repetitive experiences create relationships in our minds.

Pato O'Ward - Arrow McLaren SP - Mid-Ohio - IndyCar - 2022
Colton Herta - Andretti Autosport w/ Curb-Agajanian - Mid-Ohio - IndyCar - 2022

Advertisers know that if I admire Scott Dixon and think he is a great race car driver, I subconsciously begin to feel the same thoughts about the brand he represents, PNC Bank. Just as I'm pretty sure if Will Power needed a new cell phone, he would be shopping at a Verizon store. At least, I'm sure that's what Verizon wants me to think.

Will Power - Team Penske - Mid-Ohio - IndyCar - 2022
Scott Dixon - Chip Ganassi Racing - Mid-Ohio - IndyCar - 2022
Scott McLaughlin - Team Penske - Mid-Ohio - IndyCar - 2022

I don't mind if Petronas, FedEx, NTT, Menards, Target, or anyone else is funding motorsports. They want people to buy their products, and the more effective their advertising is, the more money people spend. If that's what promotes motorsports, then great. The more people talk about the Monster Energy motorcycle, the Red Bull car, or the Bass Pro Shops #19, the better it is for each brand and motorsports.

My brother-in-law won't go to Home Depot because he's a Jimmie Johnson fan. His brand loyalty comes from honoring the company that his favorite driver had all over his car. The funny thing is that the reverse is far less comparable. I have rarely heard a fan swear off a product because they hated the driver of that car. It's improbable that even the much-maligned Kyle Busch would deter a fan away from M&M's.

People like familiarity. It's a comfort in an ever-changing world. It's buying the same Brawny paper towels or stopping at the same Sunoco gas station. We know what to expect. We know old John will be behind the counter waiting for us after grabbing our morning coffee. That was made in the same Bunn pot with the same Peet's coffee beans for years. The cups are always in the same place, as are the lids, the stirrers, and the cream. Reliability and predictability bring order to our lives.

How much is all of this brand loyalty and familiarity worth? That's a problem I'm sure a lot of research has gone towards solving. Is an ad on TV during the Super Bowl worth the expense? $6.5 million is a lot of money for 30 seconds, yet I don't remember any gaps in the television coverage. That large amount of money could buy a spot on the rear fender for a whole racing season. How fast do you think Dorito's made back the money they invested in their commercial?

Pato O'Ward - Arrow McLaren SP - Mid-Ohio - IndyCar - 2022

One nice thing about how expensive it is to sponsor a car for an entire season is that not many companies decide to do it. Different sponsors bring different colors, designs, and art. So it was a real treat for me to see other liveries this weekend. Romain Grosjean driving the Forever Lawn #28 at Mid-Ohio was great. What a welcome change from the yellow and red DHL paint that has lingered for many seasons. The black and the green captured my heart at every turn, and I found myself lingering for another pass of the car before changing locations. During the weekend, Marcus Erickson piloted the Honda Ridgeline #8 car with a rich, multi-faceted green complexion that amplified its curves and arches

It's also wonderful when a brand realizes there is room for new expression and design, like the red fading to black on Will Power's Verizon car. It is a welcome change from the tired old muted silver of years past and a beautiful update to the hum drum black with red accents of last year.

Scott McLaughlin - Team Penske - Mid-Ohio - IndyCar - 2022

I've said how racecars can be beautiful with their curves and aerodynamics, spoilers, and shiny paint, but let me augment that by reminding you how amazing your girlfriend looks in her sexy new red dress with the black stiletto heels. She isn't a different person or unrecognizable, but eye-catching, beautiful, and memorable. I hope more sponsors begin to take advantage of this not-so-subtle surprise factor to shine over their competitors while their advertising waits for action.

2022 IndyCar Race #8 Sonsio Grand Prix At Road America

I often think back to one of the first photo meetings I attended at Road America. Our photographer liaison for the track was explaining the usual dos and don'ts in a smallish hut designed to be the photographer's workstation during the current race weekend. Towards the conclusion of the rehearsed speech, he began to praise the venue that was in his charge. It became obvious that his attachment to this racetrack was deeper than an obligation, he felt an enduring reverence for the rich history of motorsports that had graced the asphalt at Road America.

There I sat, attentively wondering if I would see what he saw around the four miles of the racetrack. I stared at the giant topographical map on the wall behind him focusing on the circular orange sticky dots marking photo holes in the catch fences. I started to imagine the abundant beauty all around the track, hoping I could capture it for others to see.

Helio Castroneves, Meyer Shank Racing, IndyCar, Road America 2022

In closing the meeting he said these words, "If you can't take great photos here, you need to change professions."

It came off a bit cocky, and perhaps it was a challenge. Years later I think I understand it better.

Felix Rosenqvist, Arrow McLaren SP, IndyCar, Road America 2022

Taking pictures of exotic cars, be it open-wheel, prototypes, historic racers, or sports cars is taking photos of beautiful objects that are dazzling, sexy, and colorful, mixed with speed and danger. Having a great subject usually yields great photos.

Helio Castroneves, Meyer Shank Racing, IndyCar, Road America 2022

At Road America, it's all that and so much more because of everything around you. The track itself plays an important part in every photo, and discovering the hidden gems along each path makes Road America an exciting and evolving experience each time I work there.

Will Power, Team Penske, IndyCar, Road America 2022

He was right, and I have only scratched the surface of Road America.

The Corvette bridge before turn #6 and the surrounding area provides many opportunities for photos. The above photos were taken during the practice sessions. The overcast conditions muted the colors and contrast of the cars a bit, but it's my job to make them look their best in any condition.

At the end of the front straight, the cars pose nicely in front of either a disappearing Pit Road or next to a few different Road America signs. Something I forget once in a while is that these cars look great going away. Bonus pictures!

RACE DAY!!!

This brings us to Sunday and the Sonsio Grand Prix At Road America. I was in the flag stand for the start and it was quite a thrill to be standing high above the field as they took the green flag. Thanks to an early caution I was still there as Jimmie Johnson came into his pit box for a minor adjustment and Simona De Silvestro pitted for a full tire change. I stayed for a few laps to photograph a little front straight action.

Soon after things got underway I headed to the Corvette bridge again. I don't usually revisit a section of a racetrack that I have photographed earlier during a race weekend, but I had been hoping that I could capture something special and it could not have worked out better. The view through the bridge makes the subject stand out because the background is far away from the racecar. During practice, it can provide a lush green canvas, but I wanted something different. I wanted a crowd, and I got one. Since the crowd was far removed from the subject the out-of-focus background became a sea of colors that gave a stark contrast to the sharp racecars as they crested the hill.

And again (I had to keep reminding myself) these cars look great from behind as well. One of the things I like about this photo specifically is the distortion. Of course, I want every photo to be sharp and in focus but... the haziness from the exhaust plays a key role in this photo. It brings to life the heat of this fire-breathing IndyCar.

Colton Herta - Andretti Autosport w/ Curb-Agajania - Road America - IndyCar - 2022

Next in my plans was another use of this amazing crowd that had gathered to breathe in the excitement at an IndyCar spectacle. After turn #5 the asphalt climbs towards the Corvette bridge. The open area I would be using as my background was full of motorsport enthusiasts, just as I had hoped. Panning cars here is fun because I usually can rest a little bit because I'm seated (or kneeling) on the ground so that I'm close to level with the car which pushes it up in the photo and into the crowd.

Time to tackle turn #5. It's deceptively difficult to take a photo that I like here. The obstacles add up...

1: The pavement is dark and radiates a lot of heat so it often confuses the focus tracking on even the best cameras.

2: The background (crowd) is close to the subject so using depth of field to showcase the subject is limited.

3: Panning with a car that's turning presents a lot of motion that isn't being panned at all.

4: The cars aren't moving that fast here so to get enough motion in each pan means using quite a low shutter speed.

5: Waiting until the driver accelerates is very important because the movement of the suspension will distort the car even more.

On the whole, I was disappointed with what I kept from the exercise, and these two were by far my favorites.

I would only have time for a couple of quick stops before heading to Victory Lane for the end of the race so I headed for the exit of Canada Corner (Turn #12). The picnickers along the elevated backdrop enjoying the blue skies and green foliage set the scene perfectly for racecars.

And then it hit me, the skies I was missing from the overcast practices the day before could be photographed again. This time welcoming the picture-perfect clouds and bright blue sky would invite a sun-soaked view of this beautiful track that is Road America.

And then it was over. I hurried to Victory Lane for the celebration and confetti. Until next year.

2022 Test 1 Testing for the Road to Indy at Homestead

The best thing about testing is that it often occurs in a warm climate before the racing season starts, which means a least a few days away from the usual bone-chilling winter weather in the Philadelphia region. Homestead - Miami was just such a place in February for the first of two Road to Indy pre-season testing sessions this year.

I like to think of testing as the first annual dip into a pool. I see three types of testing mentalities displayed in their subtle (or not so subtle) nuances at every test session. I believe these are windows to the mindsets of individuals that should bear some psychological exploration.

1.) The person that jumps into the pool regardless of the temperature without testing the water (I am not one of these people, but I understand the allure). Self-confidence is strong in this type of person. They know they can handle whatever challenges arise and are equipped to deal with them. In addition, they feel that their talent and training are more than adequate for the task.

2.) Dipping toes into the water and then sitting on the side of the pool dangling legs in the water. This mindset can come from different thought patterns. Sometimes it's a lack of confidence, demonstrating a person's acceptance of why they are at the pool (or the track in this case) to get wet, to get accustomed to a surrounding that can be awkward and newish. Think back to your second Summer at the pool growing up. You remember the experiences from the first season, but it was a long time ago, and you remember that one perplexing choking episode when you tilted your head somehow and took on water you didn't intend to. Sometimes these little unknowns lurk beneath a confident exterior in drivers (like they can for everyone). Not knowing why something went amiss is a recipe for disaster. Imagine having a crash towards the end of last season at a track you felt comfortable driving. Something happened, and what you thought would happen didn't, and you don't know why. Not understanding decays confidence. It gives birth to imaginary forces that can pick at a person's psyche.

3.) The poser. Stylish and chic, dressed for hanging at the pool. Just going to the swimming pool is the real thing. It's cool. It's their brand. It defines them. They are a racer. Or at least they like to be thought of that way. New helmet, new firesuit, new coach, they are ready, and they want the world to know it. But why? Because this is an excellent way to intimidate potential competitors. Whoever thinks that all races are won and lost on the racetrack is wrong. I would wager that far more races are lost in the mind before the green flag falls, and now is the time when the mental game of racing hits full speed.

But it's not only about the drivers. The mechanics, crew chiefs, team owners, and engineers are all there to glean information, usually for competitive advantage but often to gather unique real-world data. This distinction widens the gap quickly because a team's work ethic reads like an open book if you study it carefully. Tests come with parameters that dictate some of what can be accomplished. A dry track in the hot sun won't tell you how the suspension performs under cool, wet conditions or how adept a new driver's throttle management is during slippery corner exit. Wasting time at a test session is a sure clue to a team's commitment and poor organization. Paramount to the test itself is the knowledge harnessed and then scrutinized and implemented. Making the most of the test is a science that the best in the world hone during every session. Data gained through turning laps is precious and having a plan is the best way to make use of what little track time there is before the season starts.

Beginnings are indeed delicate times.

Here's a small gallery of some of my favorites from Testing with the Road to Indy at Homestead/Miami Speedway.

Indy Lights 2021 Mid-Ohio

Earlier this year I accepted the position of series photographer for Road to Indy. I won't go into details but suffice it to say, it has been a wonderful experience. This past weekend the series had its seventh event of 2021 that I covered at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. We had a full day of testing at the venue before the escapade got underway on Thursday which gave me time to explore the landscape and spend some creative moments experimenting with ideas that had been lingering in my mind. Let me explain in the photographs that follow. Doubtless, the subtle fact that I need to elaborate with words about the images I was endeavoring to capture means that at some level I've failed to deliver pictures that "are worth a thousand words", or photos that tell a story so complete that no utterance of words is necessary. Well, I try, but I'm still honing my craft. As usual all images are © Gavin Baker 2021

 

There's a ridge that the cars crest at turn two. I'm told that long ago this was an ideal angle for photos capturing the charge of racecars after taking the green flag. Over time the track has changed a bit and the vantage point for watching this onslaught is below the rise of the asphalt, making a full-field image impossible from the ground. But what it does provide is a unique view of the head on racecar as it emerges into sight. It reminds me of a shark as it breaks the surface of the ocean when the glimmering light reflects off the nose of the car. With a shallow depth of field and the haze from the tarmac the background distorts and changes objects into shapes. The catch fence above and to the right of the bright orange Global Racing Group #24 driven by Benjamin Peterson gives the effect of cradling the subject and directs the eye back into the focus of the photo.

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The downward righthand "keyhole" at Mid-Ohio is often a challenge for newbies and aggressive racers. This corner has a tendency to collect dirt from drivers cutting the apex too close. The loss of grip coupled with the fact that the outer half of the turn is off-camber makes a small mistake escalate quickly into an off-track excursion. Many racers bear their teeth in out-breaking maneuvers to force rivals wide and into the waiting trap. Elevation changes add to a photograph in so many ways, showing more cars on the track and crowds being allowed to return to events after last year's pandemic. The fact that our tire sponsor is on the billboard is an added benefit to me and the series.

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Leading up to the exit of the keyhole is this landscape that really sets the scene for Mid-Ohio. What's needed is the excitement in the sky. On an overcast / rainy day it's hard to make this photograph work. I had a few moments while the track was in the soft glow of a cloud-filled sky to capture the casual green countryside flow of Ohio.

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The exit of the "keyhole" onto the long back straight begins full-throttle acceleration for the #59 HMD Motorsports Indy Lights car driven by Nikita Lastochkin. The yellow reflection from the paint onto the brightly lit letters of the rear wing announces this gladiator by name as he squeezes every drop of speed from his racecar, careful to not waste any by running wide into the dirt. The brown Earth against the yellow of the paint and the green of the grass draws focus to the massive girth of the slick tire hovering over the edge of the rumble strip and makes the static image exciting in its own right.

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Light is what it's all about as a photographer. Upon occasion it's a blessing, and inevitably at other times a curse. The morning light at Mid-Ohio that gently flows across the undulating landscape makes being at the right place a moment to be treasured. Here are some of my favorite photos from the back half of the racetrack during the magical morning hours of practice for the Cooper Tires Indy Lights Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio.

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Sting Ray Robb pilots his racecar across the peak of turn number five as the Sun's warming glow lights the Juncos Racing #2. Set against the dark green pine trees in the distance the metallic colors shimmer.

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Bathed in the yellow sunlight Robert Megennis glides the #27 Andretti Autosport Indy Lights car past a sleeping campground shrouded in the cover of mid Summer foliage.

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A slow shutter speed sets the scene for the #24 Global Racing Group w/HMD Motorsports Indy Lights racecar driven by Benjamin Pedersen to shower the lush landscape with its powerful orange livery.

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Exiting the back half of the track is the #68 Andretti Autosport car driven by Danial Frost. The part of the trees and the clouds in the sky give the feeling of emergence and a look into a bright world ahead.

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Heading back towards the beginning of the racetrack Kyle Kirkwood pilots the #28 Andretti Autosport racecar into the carousel. I love this view because it's unmistakably Mid-Ohio. With the tower in the background and the matching color of the Armco this scene setter revives memories and nostalgia of the timeless Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

There are a few other places I find very rewarding at Mid-Ohio. One is on the driver's right, before the bridge approaching turn one. In the afternoon it's lit well and shows off the whole field after taking the green flag. Here Kyle Kirkwood and David Malukas lead the field at the start of race #1.

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After a lap, the field begins to string out and presents this opportunity. Here is Linus Lundqvist piloting the #26 Global Racing Group w/HMD Motorsports racecar down the front stretch with hungry competitors close at his heels.

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Another spot I relish is turn number five. Being on the outside of the track (driver's left) means having competitors drive around your position yielding many opportunities for photos. My favorite from this area needs a crowd in the background so I usually save this spot for race day. It's ok during practice but the magnificent array of colors blurred by an unbridled Kyle Kirkwood racing the #28 of Andretti Autosport demands all of your attention as it speeds through the left-hand turn.

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Then there's this human element intertwined with all of the metal, rubber, fuel, and grit. There are people with hopes and dreams, aspirations and determination. They fan the flames of this passion for racing. They give oxygen to fire-breathing machines. They forge the way through speed and endurance. They blaze the path to glory with hard work and commitment. Capturing these moments lights a fire inside of me.

These are just some of my favorites from the weekend, and there have been many more weekends packed full of these moments since the beginning of the year. I wish I had more time to share. See you at the track!