A few weeks ago, I was working at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the final time in 2022, photographing the USFPro Combine. Working for the series over the past few seasons, I had been looking forward to seeing friends and getting a fresh look at the emerging talent coming of age and exploring open-wheel racing.
The best part of the event was knowing that my requirements had only the softest deadlines. A typical race weekend has numerous deadlines to which a professional photographer must adhere. But now, with no podiums or pole awards but only end-of-day press releases, I could dig deeper into the art, explore some lighting, and be open to what was present before me.
Time is always fleeting during an event, but with hours of testing laps and the IMS circuit singularly accommodating USF2000 and USFPro2000, the deck was stacked in my favor. Time again tipped its hand to me with the day starting at 8:00 AM. I realize this isn't early for most people, but since sunrise wasn't until 8:10, I was sure to have some exciting light to finesse.
Nature didn't disappoint, and neither did the fresh talent on display for 2023. Watching young drivers mature and step up to the next rung of the highly competitive racing ladder is inspiring. I got to discuss the nuances of braking, timing, and tire grip while dashing through the garage to get back to work making photographs. I finished the combine knowing that next year will be a meaningful beginning for some, a growing transformation for others, and an exciting season for everyone.
Here are some of the press releases from the event:
