TALLADEGA is an old Indian word for 'The big one happens here!'

Yep.....that's what they get for building this huge complex on an old Indian burial ground. Maybe that's why strange things always happen here. You know the big one's gonna happen, but you can't ever really relax, 'cause it can happen more than once during a race.

Maybe, just maybe, TALLADEGA is the Indian word for 'Murphy's Law'. Despite the equipment problems I had all weekend, I had lots of success shooting out of the tower at the exit of turn two. That seemed to be the hotspot all weekend.

'Bout time!!!!!


When I first started shooting NASCAR, retired Atlanta Motor Speedway track photographer Ted McMahan told me he didn't want to see any images unless the car was upside down or on fire. After a short Google search, this image of Kevin Harvick on fire after the last lap wreck has made its way on the wire services to Italy and France. FIRE, GOOD!!!


The same for this image......FIRE, GOOD. Image, worldwide.


It pays to be patient. Some folks had left to shoot at other locations before the action started.


This is the first 'Big un' during Sunday's race.


And this is the 'Big un' during Saturdays Nationwide race.


A.J. Allmindinger is helped from his injured race car after the last lap wreck. His car stopped below the tower where I was shooting from.


A crowd gathers at the fence to watch A.J. as he literally beats the shit out of his race car because of a mechanical problem with the drivetrain. His car didn't look like it had too much damage, but he was sitting below the tower, revving the engine and trying to shift it into gear, but the car wouldn't move. My guess is he tore the transmission out of it during the wreck.


Like I said earlier, some folks left just before the action began. Ernie said if he would leave, the 'Big un' would happen in front of us in two laps.....it took three laps before it happened. Ernie, I hope at the next race I shoot, I see you and David riding off into the sunset again. Thanks.


TROUBLE IN TURN TWO!!!!!!


I didn't see anyone staring at him.


Some people just know how to have fun!!!!


And some people are too easily entertained!!!!


I think Kurt Busch left some debris......


Something about this is just creepie to me.


But security kept a close eye on things all weekend long and things seemed to have run smoothly, which is unusual, security wise. There were a few glitches along the way, but it wouldn't be Talladega without some suprises, now would it?