New Year, New Photo

Photo by  Matthew Lowell Thompson

I thought this beautiful photo was a great choice to start the New Year. This is sunrise over NASCAR Bend at VIR on an early November morning in 2007. This was the calm before the cars took to the track at a PCA track event. Just like the first couple of weeks of the year are the calm before the racing season starts. Enjoy the calm. Because the roar is coming soon.

A Little Jagermeister for Thanksgiving

Photo by Matthew Lowell Thompson

Here's a little Jagermeister to go with your Thanksgiving meal. Matt took this picture at the IndyCar weekend at the Glen in 2006. This was one of the cars in the F1 vintage support race.

Here's wishing you and your family a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

Jumpin' Jeff

Photo by Matthew Lowell Thompson

When Matt and I first learned to drive at Watkins Glen, we were told to stay off the turtles (curbs) in the bus stop. Apparently that rule doesn't apply to Jeff Gordon. Matt snapped this photo in the bus stop during Sprint Cup practice in 2005. But if you think that's a lot of air underneath that tire, scroll down.

Photo by Matthew Lowell Thompson

Now THAT'S some air. David Stremme, who was subbing for Sterling Marlin, really got that thing off the ground. Looking at this picture, I realize how much I miss the Coors Light car.

Leapin' Lizards!

Photo by Matthew Lowell Thompson

One of the most popular teams in the ALMS paddock is the Flying Lizard team. And it's one of Matt's favorites as well (so much so that he bought a pair of special edition Flying Lizard Oakley sunglasses). Needless to say, the Flying Lizard Porsches were some of his favorite subjects when we went to the Baltimore Grand Prix this year. There's been some mention of financial troubles with the Baltimore race, but here's hoping they can resolve those problems so we can catch some ALMS (and IndyCar) action not too far from home.

Where the Dirt Meets the Pavement

Photo by Matthew Lowell Thompson

My new favorite motorsport is Rallycross. We attended our first event two years ago at New Jersey Motorsports Park, and I've been hooked ever since. The good news is Rallycross is tentatively scheduled to return to NJMP next year.

Matt's photo of Tanner Foust at the NJMP Rallycross event is just an appetizer. Later this week, I'll tell you why I love Rallycross.

It's All About the Flames

Photo by Matthew Lowell Thompson

There are all types of cars to be photographed at a Rolex Series race. Daytona Prototypes, GT cars, Porsches, BMWs, Camaros. But the cars that really seem to fascinate the photographers I know are the Mazdas. And there's one reason for that -- the flames!

Matt took this week's photo at Lime Rock Park at the Rolex Series GT race in 2008. The #70 Mazda, driven by Sylvain Tremblay and Nick Ham, came in second that day. I think the flames definitely helped!

Remembering Dan Wheldon

Photo by Matthew Lowell Thompson

Each Wednesday, Matt, my in-house photographer, provides me with a photo from his extensive archive to share some motorsports-related adventures and memories.

I was never lucky enough to meet Dan Wheldon.  But from all the stories I've heard and read the past couple of days, I wish I had. I did have an opportunity to see him race twice. The first time was at the Firestone 225, which was the last race ever at Nazareth. The second time was at inaugural race at Watkins Glen in September 2005, which is where this photo was taken. Here's Matt's thoughts on his photo:

"As newscasters talk about Dan Wheldon's tragic passing, they keep repeating the fact that he is a two-time Indy 500 champion, which is an amazing feat. But they keep overlooking the fact that Dan was the 2005 Indy Racing League Champion with an impressive SIX victories during the season! I shot this image on September 25, 2005, the day Dan Wheldon clinched the title of CHAMPION!"

There's not really much I can say that hasn't already been said this week. Rest in peace, Dan Wheldon.

King of Quake

Photo by Matthew Lowell Thompson

Each Wednesday I'll be featuring one of the many photos that Matt has taken over the years.  It's a way for me to share some motorsports-related adventures.

So, to kick things off, here's a breathtaking photo that Matt took in August 2005 at Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ. Here is Matt's explanation of the pic:

"I am starting things off with an image of the driver who helped send me on my path -- Mr. Bob Motz and his "Original Jet Truck." I first shot photos of the Jet Truck when I was merely a tween. This is by far the coolest client I have ever had! How can you not be in awe of a man old enough to be your grandfather who drives a Kenworth...a Kenworth with an F4 Phantom Fighter jet engine that goes upwards of 200 mph in the quarter mile. Over the years, I have shot the various incarnations of the truck, and each time it still scares the everliving (fill in the blank) out of me. Enjoy!"