Photos From The Final Nascar Race Of The Season In Miami>>>>>

[Daytona_John]

Greetings e90Post - sorry I haven't posted in a while, but I've been very busy of late.

The family and I got in LATE last night from Miami, but we had an absolute blast. Many thanks to TISSOT for the invitation to the final NEXTEL Cup race of the season, the Ford 400 at the Miami Speedway. TISSOT is not only a major sponsor of NASCAR, they are the official timekeeper for the sport as well.

We got into Miami International on Friday night and picked up our rental car - looooove the Hertz "Neverlost" navigation system (not quite as nice as the onboard system on my BMW, but worked well) - I can't imagine navigating Miami without it.

We stayed downtown at the Conrad - pretty swanky digs:





My son found the accomodations to his liking, and particularly liked the view:





On Saturday morning, we had a nice breakfast and then walked around the area near the hotel and took a few photos:



Miami Speedway is in Homestead, FL which is about 40 minutes from downtown Miami:



Here's a shot of me on the track:



And another of me in front of the podium area where the winner is crowned:



Here's a shot of the coveted NEXTEL Cup Trophy - won by Jimmie Johnson as his 9th place finish at the race on Sunday cinched his season win.



I got to take my son and wife into the garage area on Sunday (race day) and into the pits area as well - a thrilling treat for a 10 year old. The #8 car is driven by Dale Ernhardt, Jr.:





I had the opportunity to meet a few celebs at the race - here's a shot of Tayler Hicks (American Idol winner) who sang the National Anthem. He's posing with the Florida Marlins cheerleaders, who also performed at the event:



Here's a shot of Patrick Dempsey, of the hit TV show GREY'S ANATOMY:



The patriarch of NASCAR - Richard Petty:



Soon it was time to send my family to their seats in the stands, and get busy with taking photos from the race. Here's the view from pit row:





Some action shots from the race - photographing these cars in motion was EXTREMELY difficult. This was easily my most challenging action photo shoot to date:











Here's a pit stop in action - blink and you'll miss it:



Here's Jimmie Johnson leaving the pits after a stop:








I hope you enjoyed the photos - thanks for looking!

[nine4surfah]

nice pics! thanks for sharing.

[just4kickz]

i could kick his ass.. he givin me lip... ohhh damnn its onnn--he's goin down!..... to funky town.

[jhalbri]

Thanks Daytona John nice pics :rocks:

[Daytona_John]

Originally Posted by nine4surfah

nice pics! thanks for sharing.

You are very welcome.

[Daytona_John]

Originally Posted by jhalbri

Thanks Daytona John nice pics :rocks:

My pleasure!

[findtom]

Awesome pics as always, I love your picture threads. Thanks for sharing.

[325 Baller]

very nice pics thanks for sharing. I was invited to go and sit in the pit area with my friend whose family owns part of the AAA racing team (so ive been told) but had to go out there and support my FINS instead. What camera do you use. Im looking for a new one to take football, car, and anyother event pics as my 4mp Casio POS wont cut it anymore.

edit: its 4 not 5 oops!

[Daytona_John]

Originally Posted by findtom

Awesome pics as always, I love your picture threads. Thanks for sharing.

Glad to be of service!

[Daytona_John]

Originally Posted by 325 Baller

very nice pics thanks for sharing. I was invited to go and sit in the pit area with my friend whose family owns part of the AAA racing team (so ive been told) but had to go out there and support my FINS instead. What camera do you use. Im looking for a new one to take football, car, and anyother event pics as my 4mp Casio POS wont cut it anymore.

edit: its 4 not 5 oops!

Those shots were taken with my new travel body - the new 10mp Rebel XTi mated to an L Series 70-200. You just can't beat Canon glass.

[KL2DC]

Wow nice pics....

Cmon...Miami is not that hard to navigate, everything is in grids. You want hard to navigate, try getting around washington d.c.

[ski360]

Man, Thanks for that, You're my new hero.....I miss going to the race's I only made one this year at PIR. Anyways great pictures!

[Daytona_John]

Originally Posted by KL2DC

Wow nice pics....

Cmon...Miami is not that hard to navigate, everything is in grids. You want hard to navigate, try getting around washington d.c.

No, it wasn't horrible...but just more traffic than I'm used to here in good 'ole Dayton.

[Nikki]

wow great pics!! sweet hotel!

[ga-bmwdrvr]

Those pics are awsome!

[cdheaven]

hey. what kind of watch does your 10 year old wear? its nicer than mine! jk, i dont have a watch.

[truebluetitan]

Awesome pics! Really great shots. My girlfriend loved the Dempsey shot! I have the Digital Rebel XT, but I definitely need new glass.

[Driv3r]

Oh i was going to go but im not a fan of nascar, something about it, maybe its the all left turns? o well i dont understand i guess...

[E36_325i]

there are cheerleaders in Baseball?

[ADHD]

AWESOME Pics!! Thats soo cool u got to go on the track as photo media!!
Id love to do that one day! Do u have any more pics of the #8 car in the garage!! my wife really loved that shot of your kid and the car!!
The pic is PRICELESS!! and should be LOCKED in your file your kid will appreciate that some day!! I know i would!

[Daytona_John]

Originally Posted by Nikki

wow great pics!! sweet hotel!

Thanks Nikiki!

[Daytona_John]

Originally Posted by cdheaven

hey. what kind of watch does your 10 year old wear? its nicer than mine! jk, i dont have a watch.

He wears an Invicta 8926 and loves it. :rocks: It's his "starter Rolex."