2022 Final Race of the year Formula 4 and Formula Regionals America Race #6 at Circuit of the Americas

As my 2022 motorsports year ends, I got to spend the final race weekend at one of my favorite venues, the Circuit of the Americas.
The final F4 United States championship and Formula Regional Americas races took place over the weekend, crowning new champions in each series. Here are a few of my favorite photos from the weekend in Austin, TX.

First, my F4 United States championship favorites:

And my Formula Regional Americas favorites:

Working with all of the people in the series this year was a pleasure, and I look forward to 2023.

2022 IndyCar Race #14 The Dog Days of Nashville

Scott Dixon - Chip Ganassi Racing - Nashville - Music City GP - IndyCar - 2022

I'm no stranger to sweat. I work for many hours with perspiration reminders about the importance of hydration. I hate the feel of suntan lotion, so I wear UV-blocking clothing over my exposed skin during a race weekend.

Pato O'Ward - Felix Rosenqvist - Arrow McLaren SP - Nashville - Music City GP - IndyCar - 2022

I could be a little cooler in short sleeves and cut-off pants but having my eyes attacked with burning SPF 60 is just too much to deal with when every second counts. Seeing is paramount to my job, and a slippery ooze coating the grips of my cameras and slathering over the switches and buttons makes mistakes happen and causes opportunities to be missed.

So Nashville wasn't only hot but humid. Every moment spent outside felt like wearing a layer of water beneath my clothing. Again, sweating in August, I fully expect; swimming while walking was exhausting and gross. But it's my job, and I'm a professional, so I did the best job in the conditions presented as my clients deserve.

Cities transformed into racetracks present endless difficulties. I can't stress the immensity and the complexity of the task, not to mention the diversity of agendas from everyone involved. Imagine how often the need for safety could run counter to providing a fantastic fan experience.

Devlin DeFrancesco - Andretti Steinbrenner Autosport - Nashville - Music City GP - IndyCar - 2022

Personal reflection: When my daughter was young, we played a game called Roller Coaster Tycoon. The object was to design and build a profitable amusement park that patrons would visit, enjoy, spend money in, have a good time, and spread the word to more people so the venue could grow and provide entertainment to more and more people.

There was a "happiness factor" that monitored the mood of the guests in the park. We learned that having bathrooms easily accessible at the exit of a roller coaster was very important; otherwise, the simulated riders would vomit in the gardens and on the park benches making our "happiness factor" plummet. It was a vital lesson about civil engineering.

Rain would douse the amusement park at random times, so shelter and umbrellas needed to be available. Guests could get lost going down pathways that were dead ends and get stuck in endless loops, all driving down the profit and ever-important "happiness factor." We learned that innovative ideas needed proper planning and follow-through.

Experiencing these nuances played out on a real-world scale during a temporary IndyCar street race in the middle of Nashville with its population of over a million makes you aware of how easily minor glitches can become dangerous pitfalls.

Back to the real world: Photographing every race means incorporating each venue's unique attributes, and there are plenty in downtown Nashville.

First is that multi-million dollar race cars are racing wheel to wheel on city streets. That's pretty awesome.

Next, the city's iconic elements need to shine as players in the event. The "Batman building," the Koren Veterans Memorial Bridge that the cars would drive across, the Cumberland River, Nissan Stadium, and the skyline all play an essential part in the event.

And equally as important is the race itself. The drama, the speed, the emotion, and the subtler nuances of lighting, framing, and artistry are all part of the event's uniqueness.

Alex Palou - Chip Ganassi Racing - Nashville - Music City GP - IndyCar - 2022

The real task is to uncover the fleeting magical moments and then capture them in whatever conditions are levied upon each photographer.

2022 NASCAR Truck Race #15 The O'Reilly Auto Parts 150 at Mid-Ohio

Parker Kligerman - Henderson Motorsports - Food Country USA/Tide Toyota Tundra - Mid-Ohio - NASCAR - Camping World Trucks - 2022

I filled memory cards for the third consecutive week with images from Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course. But what made this weekend different were the fenders.

Photographing sportscars (or, in this case, trucks) vs. open-wheeled cars calls for some refinements in technique to achieve my goals. Mainly this comes down to focus.

One of the first things I learned as a photographer was the importance of the subject. Without a subject, there's no story, and we all know that a picture is worth a thousand words. Unfortunately, when I see a photo without a clear subject, I feel like I'm reading a story made up of random words with no punctuation, theme, or plot.

Now my art appreciation degree is pricking a nerve in the back of my mind, reminding me how lost I felt seeing my first Jackson Pollok or cubist Picasso, which is a discussion for another time.

For the majority of applications of professional photography, the subject is what your client is selling. Does that mean I've "sold out"? Well, kind of, yeah. As a professional, I'm not working to create art; as an editorial photographer, I am only there to document what happened.

So my subjects during a NASCAR weekend consist of sponsors, teams, drivers, or manufacturers.

I think of it this way. If I had a son that played little league baseball and hired someone to take pictures of him at a game, I would want photos of him at the plate holding a bat, wearing his glove playing his position in the field. I would expect to see pictures of him sitting on the bench or chatting with his friends. Possibly even tears or cheers after the game, depending on the outcome. Of course, I could appreciate a scene-setting sunset over the field photo or a shot of a teammate sliding into third, but those aren't what I want to remember years from now.

For sure, I can be creative at my craft. I can make choices as a photographer, sculpt my vision, and influence the final product in many different ways. That's one of the most challenging parts of being a professional photographer. It's my job to capture the story you want to be told in the best way possible. That's what motivates me for every assignment.

Please remember that all of these images are copyrighted.

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 NASCAR Truck Race #13 Clean Harbors 150

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series - Clean Harbors 150 - Knoxville Raceway Todd Gilliland - Team DGR - Frontline Enterprises Ford F-150

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.

The racing was good, and some drivers shined in the dirt. Knowing how your vehicle behaves on different surfaces broadens your skill and technique. I think it's great for drivers, teams, manufacturers, and for the fans; it's a nice change, plus it opens up NASCAR to a place line Knoxville Iowa.