I went to Daytona International Speedway this past weekend to photograph NASCAR again … and it didn’t disappoint. Both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup races were awesome, with plenty of crashes (and fires!). It was amazing to watch Dale Earnhardt Jr. win the Nationwide race in his No. 3 Chevrolet, which was a tribute to his father. It’s been a while since Dale Jr. has been to victory lane, and to witness him do that in the No. 3 car (the last time he said he would do so), was truly something special.
Dale Jr. celebrates winning the Nationwide race in a car that paid homage to his father, a Wrangler-paint-themed No. 3.
NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Jennifer Jo Cobb (27) and Johnny Chapman (43) crash between turns 3 and 4.
The sun sets as drivers in the Nationwide Series Subway Jalapeño 250 head into turn 4.
It looked as though Saturday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Coke Zero 400 was going to be put off until Sunday due to rain, but it was only postponed a couple of hours. I stood between turns 3 and 4 the majority of the race, but moved to the pits when there was about 30 laps remaining in the 160-lap race. As luck would have it, a major, 19-car crash happened in turn 3 about 10 laps after I moved. After the crash though, Mark Martin’s car, which was on fire, came down pit road and I was able to get a few frames of that.
Tires supporting American troops were on all of the Sprint Cup cars for Saturday's race.
This was the last race on the decades-old pavement at Daytona International Speedway. The entire track will be resurfaced.
A football-field sized American flag was unfurled on the grass before the race to commemorate July 4th.
Tony Stewart's car is reflected in puddle during the rain delay.
Drivers David Ragan (6), Jamie McMurray (1), and Martin Truex Jr. (56) crash in turn 3.
Ragan heads to the apron after crashing.
Ragan angrily throws a piece of safety equipment into his car after coming to a stop.
Mark Martin heads down pit road in search of fire extinguishers.
Kevin Harvick celebrates in victory lane.
Harvick burns out on his way into victory lane.
Harvick does a celebratory burnout after winning the Coke Zero 400.
Nice work, Kev. I hope you’re doing well.
Thanks Tommy! Everything’s going good man, just trying to finish out these last couple of semesters. Hope all is well with you.
dem boys blew dem tires!