Well, what an experience that was!
Working at Daytona International Speedway in January for the IMSA Roar and the Rolex 24 was a blast.
While the intricacies of sportscar racing can be fascinating to the enthusiast, that level of dedication is beyond my motivation. Instead, I enjoy seeing the glistening metal, smelling the burning rubber, hearing the throaty roar of a race engine, and being embraced by the world of racing.
Saturated by the atmosphere and surrounded by victorious aspirations stirs something deep within me. But, of course, for me, it was a job, but not a job that steels time or life but a profession abundant with fulfilling moments.
I'm open to new ideas and techniques, really anything that brings to life the thoughts that arise in my head—imagining solutions to create reality from the intangible. That's a big part of my work, art, and craft.
These are a few of the photos I enjoyed making while buried in the viewfinder during the first days at Daytona.
First, let me talk about the Roar.
For me, the Roar has always been the beginning of race season, so attending was something I had been looking forward to for many years. I had been scheduled to go in the past, but things fell apart as the dates grew closer, as often happens when countless things have to go right.
Many teams use the weekend as a formal test for the rest of the season. It's like tasting the sauce before dousing your entree. It gives your graph a frame of reference, and it's the first tangible measure to track improvement.
Some teams and racers take a light approach. I imagine these people are the same ones who lazily finger the snooze button on the nightstand at 7 AM. Others frantically are already behind at the beginning. Probably the same fanatics that are already deadlifting more than their weight at the all-night gym just past 4 AM. The balanced race team appears to have set their alarms with enough time to complete morning ablutions without fear of delay while reviewing their scheduled plan for the day. Upon occasion, I find a team that either their calendar was broken just before the new year. Or quite possibly (considering some attendants travel from the far side of the world), the struggle to arrive has been compounded with poor health, lack of preparation, and an "I didn't sign up for this." attitude.
I enjoy watching different people from different cultures, and the opening rounds at Daytona provide plenty of diversity. Morning routines vary from an espresso to a health shake. Some enjoy a refreshing jog or the early drag of a hand-rolled cigarette. And some revel in the pleasant banter of their native tongue while others nurse the solitude of peaceful reflection.
Whatever it is that spurs these contestants on their pilgrimage to Daytona; it's something to be respected. For me, it's a job, but it's a job I thoroughly enjoy. I took a few memorable photos during the IMSA Roar event. Please enjoy, but remember that they are copyrighted and may not be captured or downloaded.
