Don't Fall In Love With Your Monkey

OK......I'll go ahead and admit it up front. The title does not have anything to do with the content of my latest post.
It was one of those "You had to be there" moments that I had earlier this evening.
It's the weekend. I'm going to Jamaica next week, so I'm in a very good mood.
I've been attacked by about a half dozen LandSharks. I'm listening to my XM / Sirius satellite radio.
And then, as I'm driving over the mountain, some local, low frequency radio station bleeds over my satellite radio.
It only lasted for a few seconds. The only phrase I heard was "Don't fall in love with your Monkey!"
For some reason, it's still bouncing around inside my empty noggin'.


Last week, I had the opportunity to shoot the NHRA Southern Nationals in Atlanta.
I enjoy all types of motor sports, and each different series has it's own unique set of circumstances. It's such a pleasure to shoot at a laid back, easy going event that the NHRA puts on. Some of the other series have got too big for their britches.


All of the crews, drivers, and owners spend their time working on their cars and not hiding from the media. Drag racing legend and car owner Connie Kalitta sat on the track wall just a few feet away from me for about 10 minutes, and watched as his competion made their runs. He never turned away from me or never tried to hide.


I arrived on Friday evening, just before qualifying began. I wanted to get there in time for the 'Night of Fire".
I got a few decent frames during the night session.
I got a few more during the rest of the weekend.

Enjoy.



NHRA Champion Kenny Burnstein watches his son Brandon during an early qualifying run.













During Sunday's first elimination round, Steve Torrence scatters an engine against eventual winner Larry Dixon.




Funny Car driver Robert Hight wins the weekends event for John Force racing. His win left John Force Racing claiming the top three spots in the point standings.


Larry Dixon took the top spot for the Al-Anabi Top Fuel team.


You don't have to look too far at a drag strip to find something interesting. Bob Chandler and the original monster truck 'Big Foot' made an appearance.


As I was satching Ashley Force Hood getting ready for a qualifying run, I caught her looking in the mirror....errrr, or at least staring at the reflection in the glass on the crew car.


During some down time during Saturdays qualifying rounds, Tony Shumacher and Antron Brown shoot tee-shirts into the grandstands.


Al-Anabi Pro Stock Motorcycle driver Matt Smith watches his wife, Angie, during her qualifying run.


And finally, it's hard to believe some people would exchange money on the outcome of a drag race.
Maybe next time, they can exchange something like souviner tee shirts.
Just remember "Don't fall in love with your monkey".