Hello there, it’s been 7 years since I’ve made my last blog post, that’s my bad. I was looking at some photos and some series of photos I’ve taken this year and came to the realization that personally I think this has been the best year for my photography to date. I figured I should make another blog post to show some of my favorite photos that I captured this year.
After shooting close to 80 races in 2023, narrowing down all my photos for this was not an easy task. I started going through all of my shots as narrowed it down to 63. Keeping with the theme I’ve done in the past, that allowed me to only share 23.
So here they are, my Top 23 favorite photos I took in 2023. These are in no particular order.
For the first photo we will start with the very beginning of the NASCAR schedule all the way out in Los Angles, CA at the historic LA Memorial Coliseum. The sun was hitting just perfect, lighting up the palm trees in the parking lot of the Coliseum.
Zane Smith waiting out in light rain for NASCAR to make the decision if they will continue the season opening race at the Daytona International Speedway. Zane was in the first place when they called the red flag, so if the race was called he would win the race. The race ended up being called and Zane won.
2023 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Ryan Blaney with 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Most Popular Driver Chase Elliott and 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year Ty Gibbs backstage during the NASCAR Awards Banquet in Nashville, TN.
This night was some of my favorite shots I've taken this year. Check out my instagram post to see more: CLICK HERE
Chase Elliott during the October Ring of Fire Eclipse. I was hoping more of the eclipse would show in the sun, but I still like the way this photo turned out because with him silhouetted it’s almost as if he is the eclipse. Taken at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
A rain storm at sunset blows through Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park in Arizona.
Space X Crew-7 Falcon 9 launching off from Kennedy Space Center at 3:27 AM headed towards the International Space Station. Bucket list item to be able to see a rocket launch, especially one up this close. The fact the launch included astronauts made it even cooler.
My goal was to capture an image that showed the whole rocket path as it went up into space. This photo was little over a two minute exposure. Got lucky with it being a perfectly clear sky just unfortunately didn’t bring a wide enough lens to get the full path in the photo. But with this being my first time shooting a rocket launch, I was still very excited to see the image on the back of the camera when it was done processing.
Zane Smith after catching his truck on fire while doing a burn out after winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX.
Chase Elliott immediately after getting out of his car at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway after finishing in second place. Chase was in a must win situation this year to make the NASCAR playoffs.
William Byron and Rick Hendrick in Victory Lane after William won at the Texas Motor Speedway. This was win number 300 for Hendrick Motorsports.
Chase Elliott looking back while walking up the steps in the Media Center to the drivers meeting upstairs at Watkins Glen International Speedway. I’m always looking for those unique shots that tell the story of race day.
Yup, that’s a NASCAR Cup car on the streets Chicago. Getting to document a part of NASCAR history like the first ever street course was defiantly one of the coolest parts of the year. Pictured is Chase Elliott racing down E Michigan Ave.
Kyle Larson strapped into his 410 sprint car at a High Limit Racing Series race. After traveling to 6 High Limit races this year, I could make a whole blog post on my favorite High Limit shots (which I might do). I loved getting to travel and be the official High Limit Series photographer because I love all of the creative freedom I had. There’s so many unique angles when shooting 410 sprint cars.
William Byron post race after racing his way into the NASCAR Championship race for his first time at Martinsville Speedway, the final cutoff race.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Taylor Gray focusing before the race after strapping into his Toyota Tundra.
Kyle Larson celebration in Victory Lane with his kids Owen and Audrey after winning the race at Martinsville Speedway.
Zane Smith on his way to the driver meeting at Texas Motor Speedway.
Jared Allen climbing in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area outside of Las Vegas, Nevada. Climbing photography is a new type of photography I got into this year. One of my favorite things to do when shooting climbing is trying to make it a “Where’s Waldo” effect, trying to make the climber blend in with the vast environment.
Joey Logano riding the wall at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Ryan Blaney and Michael Jordan before the race at Bristol Motor Speedway. Still drives me crazy I didn’t get Michael fully in the frame.
Chase Elliott during the Coca Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Travis Pastrana at the Daytona International Speedway before the Bluegreen Vacations Duels attempting to race his way into the Daytona 500. Shot on film.
Zane Smith celebrating while getting out of his car after racing his way into his first Daytona 500 in the Bluegreen Vacations Duels.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. watching his first ever 410 sprint car race at Lernerville Speedway in Pennsylvania during a High Limit Racing race.
And there it is, my Top 23 photos of 2023. There were defiantly a lot of honorable mentions that didn’t make this list. Looking forward to 2024 and all of the images I haven’t taken yet.