Photos: Nascar Whelen Modified Series Championship.
THOMPSON, CT – OCTOBER 18: Doug Coby #2 in action during the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour SUNOCO World Series 150 at Thompson Speedway on October 18, 2015 in Thompson, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/NASCAR/NASCAR via Getty Images)
THOMPSON, CT – OCTOBER 18: Race action during the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour SUNOCO World Series 150 at Thompson Speedway on October 18, 2015 in Thompson, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/NASCAR/NASCAR via Getty Images)
THOMPSON, CT – OCTOBER 18: Doug Coby signs autographs during the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour SUNOCO World Series 150 at Thompson Speedway on October 18, 2015 in Thompson, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/NASCAR/NASCAR via Getty Images)
THOMPSON, CT – OCTOBER 18: Doug Coby reacts as he signs autographs during the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour SUNOCO World Series 150 at Thompson Speedway on October 18, 2015 in Thompson, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/NASCAR/NASCAR via Getty Images)
THOMPSON, CT – OCTOBER 18: Race action during the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour SUNOCO World Series 150 at Thompson Speedway on October 18, 2015 in Thompson, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/NASCAR/NASCAR via Getty Images)
THOMPSON, CT – OCTOBER 18: Race action during the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour SUNOCO World Series 150 at Thompson Speedway on October 18, 2015 in Thompson, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/NASCAR/NASCAR via Getty Images)
THOMPSON, CT – OCTOBER 18: Doug Coby #2 looks on in the driver’s seat before the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour SUNOCO World Series 150 at Thompson Speedway on October 18, 2015 in Thompson, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/NASCAR/NASCAR via Getty Images)
THOMPSON, CT – OCTOBER 18: Doug Coby celebrates after winning the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour SUNOCO World Series 150 at Thompson Speedway on October 18, 2015 in Thompson, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/NASCAR/NASCAR via Getty Images)
THOMPSON, CT – OCTOBER 18: The pit crew works on the car of Woody Pitkat #88 during the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour SUNOCO World Series 150 at Thompson Speedway on October 18, 2015 in Thompson, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/NASCAR/NASCAR via Getty Images)
THOMPSON, CT – OCTOBER 18: The pit crew works on the car of Doub Coby #2 during the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour SUNOCO World Series 150 at Thompson Speedway on October 18, 2015 in Thompson, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/NASCAR/NASCAR via Getty Images)
THOMPSON, CT – OCTOBER 18: Doug Coby #2 passes Justin Bonsignore #51 during the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour SUNOCO World Series 150 at Thompson Speedway on October 18, 2015 in Thompson, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/NASCAR/NASCAR via Getty Images)
THOMPSON, CT – OCTOBER 18: Doug Coby #2 takes the checkered flag as he wins the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour SUNOCO World Series 150 at Thompson Speedway on October 18, 2015 in Thompson, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/NASCAR/NASCAR via Getty Images)
THOMPSON, CT – OCTOBER 18: Woody Pitkat #88 in action during the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour SUNOCO World Series 150 at Thompson Speedway on October 18, 2015 in Thompson, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/NASCAR/NASCAR via Getty Images)
THOMPSON, CT – OCTOBER 18: Doug Coby celebrates after winning the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour SUNOCO World Series 150 at Thompson Speedway on October 18, 2015 in Thompson, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/NASCAR/NASCAR via Getty Images)
THOMPSON, CT – OCTOBER 18: Doug Coby celebrates after winning the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour SUNOCO World Series 150 at Thompson Speedway on October 18, 2015 in Thompson, Connecticut. (Photo by Billie Weiss/NASCAR/NASCAR via Getty Images)
I made the trip to Thompson, Connecticut this weekend to shoot the Nascar Touring Series Whelen Modified championship race at Thompson Speedway. I covered the race for Getty Images.
This was my first time shooting Nascar, or any type of motorsports event for that matter. It was an experience, and it’s the quirky little details that made it so interesting – the rickety wooden grandstands that felt like they’d fall over every time you took a step, the giant wasps that found shelter all along the desks in the press box, the pit crews smoking cigarettes in the middle of the race, etc.
It was details like that that I wish I was able to document a bit more. It being my first race, I wasn’t too sure what to expect, so I found it difficult to get into a rhythm shooting. I certainly have photos that tell the story of the day, but I think it would take me a couple more races to really be able to come away with a well-rounded take.
That being said, I enjoy new experiences like that. I felt like I came away having learned something new, so I was happy to be there shooting.
