And they both walked away...
Jul 1, 2018 20:43:55 #
Apologies for not having a larger images of these, but the files are in storage in America. These are shots from the Talladega Superspeedway, which is the largest and fastest track on the NASCAR circuit. At 2.66 miles, it takes these drivers a scant 45 seconds to make a lap. The fastest lap ever recorder in NASCAR was made here by Bill Elliott and (I think) was nearly 213 m.p.h.. This was before restrictor plate racing. Both of these images, by the way, were made on the very same day.
It had been a difficult week at the track. Neil Bonnett, part of the "Alabama Gang" and had officially retired, but borrowed a car from Dale Earnhardt to race that weekend (Thus the "31"). Two of his good friends, Davey Allison and Red Farmer, both Race car drivers, flew Allison's helicopter from Hueytown, which is just southwest of Birmingham, to the track to watch Bonnett run practice laps. While landing, a significant crosswind put the helicopter off kilter and it crashed, killing Allison in the process. Allison was well liked by other drivers and the fans as well, so his loss was pretty significant that week. Bonnett raced that weekend in the number 31 car and was "drafting" with Ted Musgrave. Drafting is an art. When two drivers run one after the other in very close proximity, they split the drag from the air resistance and as a result can go faster than if they ran by themselves. But, get too close and the rear vehicle will suck up all the air and there will be none for the first car, which can become uncontrollable. This is what happened here. Bonnett flipped his car and ran into the grandstand fence, taking about 200 yards of it with him. Because there was no protective barrier for the fans, the race was "Red Flagged" (meaning the race was stopped) for two hours while the repairs were made. Both drivers walked away and Bonnett suffered a sprained wrist. This particular wreck also played a large part in NASCAR making changes to the cars to inhibit this from happening again. Roof flaps were added, so that when the cars were backwards, the flaps deployed and the cars became less aerodynamic. There was also the addition of the "Restrictor plate", which is a simple sheet of metal with holes that restricts the flow of air into the carburetor. By restricting the airflow, you lower the horsepower of the vehicle and effectively reduce the maximum speed. Many drivers complained about this and felt that the driving became more dangerous because the driver's ability to pull out of a bad situation was inhibited by the lack of horsepower in the vehicle. The plates are still used to this day at the larger tracks like Talladega, Charlotte and Michigan.
Bonnett returned to racing full-time the following year and was killed in a crash at Daytona while practicing for the Daytona 500.
The next photo is what we called "The Jube Shot" and I was always pretty good at it, so the AP always put me in the pits for the races, specifically for this shot. Here is the winner of the races that day, the car owner and crew chief for Ernie Irvin's Kodak car.
Shooting NASCAR is a challenge. If you are standing with your camera hanging around your neck and a wreck happens to your right, by the time you get your camera up to your eye and focused, they are literally a half mile down the track to your left. You have to literally hold the camera up to your eye for the entire race, otherwise you miss the photo.
Have an excellent day, one and all!
It had been a difficult week at the track. Neil Bonnett, part of the "Alabama Gang" and had officially retired, but borrowed a car from Dale Earnhardt to race that weekend (Thus the "31"). Two of his good friends, Davey Allison and Red Farmer, both Race car drivers, flew Allison's helicopter from Hueytown, which is just southwest of Birmingham, to the track to watch Bonnett run practice laps. While landing, a significant crosswind put the helicopter off kilter and it crashed, killing Allison in the process. Allison was well liked by other drivers and the fans as well, so his loss was pretty significant that week. Bonnett raced that weekend in the number 31 car and was "drafting" with Ted Musgrave. Drafting is an art. When two drivers run one after the other in very close proximity, they split the drag from the air resistance and as a result can go faster than if they ran by themselves. But, get too close and the rear vehicle will suck up all the air and there will be none for the first car, which can become uncontrollable. This is what happened here. Bonnett flipped his car and ran into the grandstand fence, taking about 200 yards of it with him. Because there was no protective barrier for the fans, the race was "Red Flagged" (meaning the race was stopped) for two hours while the repairs were made. Both drivers walked away and Bonnett suffered a sprained wrist. This particular wreck also played a large part in NASCAR making changes to the cars to inhibit this from happening again. Roof flaps were added, so that when the cars were backwards, the flaps deployed and the cars became less aerodynamic. There was also the addition of the "Restrictor plate", which is a simple sheet of metal with holes that restricts the flow of air into the carburetor. By restricting the airflow, you lower the horsepower of the vehicle and effectively reduce the maximum speed. Many drivers complained about this and felt that the driving became more dangerous because the driver's ability to pull out of a bad situation was inhibited by the lack of horsepower in the vehicle. The plates are still used to this day at the larger tracks like Talladega, Charlotte and Michigan.
Bonnett returned to racing full-time the following year and was killed in a crash at Daytona while practicing for the Daytona 500.
The next photo is what we called "The Jube Shot" and I was always pretty good at it, so the AP always put me in the pits for the races, specifically for this shot. Here is the winner of the races that day, the car owner and crew chief for Ernie Irvin's Kodak car.
Shooting NASCAR is a challenge. If you are standing with your camera hanging around your neck and a wreck happens to your right, by the time you get your camera up to your eye and focused, they are literally a half mile down the track to your left. You have to literally hold the camera up to your eye for the entire race, otherwise you miss the photo.
Have an excellent day, one and all!
Jul 1, 2018 21:09:43 #
Jul 2, 2018 08:51:19 #
Nice shots, Mark. There’s no telling how good Davy Allison would have been. I saw Red Farmer, who was in the helicopter with Davy and survived, race several times. I’m still a big racing fan, but NASCAR will never be quite the same without the Alabama Gang. At least Chase Elliott is still upholding the tradition.
I don’t know if you happened to see yesterday’s race at Chicagoland, but there was a spectacular finish reminiscent of the old days, with Kyle Bush and Kyle Larson beating and banging on each other for the win on the last lap. It was a finish to remember, unlike most races these days. KB was the winner; KL was second after making a great save when KB turned him sideways in the final straightaway. Amazingly enough, neither was mad at the other, and both said they did what they had to do to win. They both used a version of the same old phrase--“that’s racing.” Both cars were pretty beat up.
I don’t know if you happened to see yesterday’s race at Chicagoland, but there was a spectacular finish reminiscent of the old days, with Kyle Bush and Kyle Larson beating and banging on each other for the win on the last lap. It was a finish to remember, unlike most races these days. KB was the winner; KL was second after making a great save when KB turned him sideways in the final straightaway. Amazingly enough, neither was mad at the other, and both said they did what they had to do to win. They both used a version of the same old phrase--“that’s racing.” Both cars were pretty beat up.
Jul 2, 2018 09:45:04 #
jaymatt wrote:
Nice shots, Mark. There’s no telling how good Davy Allison would have been. I saw Red Farmer, who was in the helicopter with Davy and survived, race several times.
I was at Red's house once and he had a bulldog who was a sweet dog. I would ball my hand into a fist and he would sit there and gnaw on it. Never hurt though. Funny. No NASCAR here in China, so I appreciate the update!
Jul 2, 2018 10:11:39 #
Jul 2, 2018 14:54:46 #
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