Why play in the dirt?
When the NASCAR Knoxville weekend surfaced as a possibility for me earlier this year, I had to consider why I would want to cover this event. I had never been to the venue, and new experiences are excellent in a professional setting. In addition, placing an artist outside their comfort zone can positively affect how we think, stretch our imagination, or let us see a redundant subject from a new perspective.
Stand-alone events (only one series I am responsible for) require less time and energy to photograph because there are fewer things to demand attention. Sometimes this can give the brain a chance to put the details on auto pilot and be more open to creativity. On the other side of this position, I would be responsible for covering everything required at a location I was unfamiliar with on new terrain.
I had attended one dirt race before this, a world of Outlaws race in Charlotte many years ago when I was attending the Coke 600 with my then fiancé and future inlaws. My most impressive memory was the dirt. The dirty, dirty dirt that was everywhere and in everything and was, well, engulfing. I breathed it, tasted it, smeared it into my face with tears caused by it, and loathed it. So now that I had requested to relive the experience, what was I thinking?
I know what had influenced my decision. The person I would be working alongside. This industry-famous photographer also works with NKP and would be there, working with me to cover the event. Conversations with seasoned professionals who are down to Earth and are willing to share their stories are priceless. Unfortunately, schedules changed. I was re-partnered with a different photographer for the weekend. Adding to the size of the monkey wrench thrown into my plans was the cancelation of his flight on Friday, leaving me to cover the two truck practices by myself. I am used to covering series' alone, and the challenge wasn't overwhelming, but combined with other unknowns (new venue, NASCAR scheduling/rule changes, and unknown track crossing times), I would need to be on my game.
The other difficulty for the weekend was the timing of the event. Night races, while not taking up additional time, certainly challenge my circadian rhythm. While the race was only about two and a half hours long, it started at 8 PM local time (9 PM EDT), meaning that after edits and client photo disbursements, it would be around 1 AM, and my flight home was scheduled for 6:00 AM (Airport by 4:30 AM). I don't try and schedule first flights out anymore; as I get older, I value my health and well-being more. It isn't easy being on the road as much as I am, and being mindful of sleep and nutrition is difficult sometimes, but I understand now how important it can be.
As for the event, the dirt wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it might be. Possibly because most of the time, I was on the inside of the track and the wind generated by the trucks pushed the air towards the outside of the racing surface. For a short time (before access became restricted by NASCAR officials), I shot outside, which was indeed dirtier. Since Knoxville speedway has no bridge or tunnel to traverse the dirt track, once you have chosen to be inside or outside, you are stuck there until the end of the event.
