Auto Racing 2025

[Yespage]

Detroit and the street "course".

Saturday IMSA. Last half hour was some good racing on the narrow course in Detroit. Penske appeared destined to win... again... when Taylor passed him. The pass rattled Nasr so much, he was then passed by Van Der Linde and Nasr's teammate Jaminet. It appeared Cadillac would get a big win, but Van Der Linde then made a pass for first and won. Jaminet would finally finish ahead of Nasr, and get the podium. Meanwhile a Corvette and Porsche were banging each other like it was Days of Thunder.

Sunday, Rinus Veekay killing it in qualifying, making the third row in qualifications, starting next to Palou. Then Veekay's engine broke on the 7th lap sending me into deep bouts of depression. Once the tears dried up by the 40th lap, there were two strategies on the course. Making the outcome unknown. The alternate tires were crap, so the two stop strategy was finally given up on by most. Then Foster had a catastrophic suspension failure which slid his car into Rosenquist, hard to the tire barrier. Both drivers were okay. Everyone would pit with about 25 laps left and it was a race to the finish, with Armstrong, Ferucci, *insert third driver* ahead of the rest of the pack, Herta, Kirkwood, Palou, Power, Malukas. The three up top weren't much of a match, and Kirkwood was on a mission. Ferucci was the only one to really put up a fight and he fell back to second, then third. But he fought back against Power and retook second place. Malukas was just done with Palou always winning, so he bumped him into the tire barrier to end that. Kirkwood would win and Ferucci would take second, Herta wanted more, but was willing to have a strong finish at third.

The 500 is next in Illinois in two weeks... at 8 PM on Sunday night. OI! But that helps not overlap Le Mans.

Meanwhile, Thursday and Friday is looking wet-ish at Mid-Ohio. A potentially strong front might be pushing through, bringing storms in the afternoons. Saturday morning could rain, but then it is expected to dry out. Looking forward to some comfortable weather for a change at the track.

 

[Yespage]

Soggy start to Sunday. USF Jr struggled, VP did much better. Mazda MX-5 is a mix. Stopped raining raining during the VP race. But we still have light sprinkles.

 

[Yespage]

It was wet! I was prepared. I wasn't able to do photography at Indy because it was wet and all I was willing to risk was my phone. I got a nice cover for the camera which allowed me to take shots in the rain. Not torrential, but, as you can see, it was wet. Definitely a shower. This is up at my new fav spot to shoot from. For whatever reason, the exit of Turn 8 is blind, but sound helps and I can hit the 1/160 shots here up to half the shots. Now the other consideration is I have a tiny tarp on my camera. So while I am able to adjust controls and frame the photos, I have no freaking clue whether the photos are coming out well or just as garbage as the eye viewer is obstructed and I can't make details out... only if the image was properly set.

This is entry into 7 about 15 minutes later. The nice thing about shooting in the rain is you can shoot from wherever you please. I was possibly the only person (but more like 1 in 5 across the track) who didn't have an IMSA photo vest taking photos of this race.

Entry into 4, the Essess. The USF Jr crew were struggling with the wet road. The heavier VP series did not have as much of a hard time. Only a few spins, if I recall correctly.

I don't remember if the exit from Turn One was open last year. Usually this is a place you need to be invited to go. Not this year, and this is a great place to watch the cars head up to the Keyhole, and a decent view of them working on down to the Essess on the other side.

This took me several shots to finally land the car between the two flaggers (during a Green flag). This is the same spot as above.

First time inside the Carousel. In general, the location you watch the butt side of the cars drive down the front stretch, but it is a nice place to try some shots. It is south facing, so sunlighting issues aren't optimal.

I saw on the screen this guy had hit an advertisement. I knew I had to get a shot of him. Apparently I'm feeling more confident in myself as I should have max'd out the light and got the easy shot, but I went 1/160 and got it.

This is my other new fav place. Again like exit out of 8, this exit out of 6 is quick, so I apparently have less time to get shaky hands.

Back to the Carousel, transitioning to turn 13. Pit entrance is the pavement up above. This is going to be the winner... hippo and all. Tacos!

 

[harshness]

I got a nice cover for the camera which allowed me to take shots in the rain.

I appreciate your efforts. Another bunch of great photos.