While I am no NASCAR fan I really do enjoy going to the track for a few races each year. From the Rolex 24 hour race to the Daytona 500, February is filled with events to go to and make great pictures.

This year was as popular as ever even with a few kinks along the way. The Rolex 24 was blasted with a torrential downpour at the start, the freezing weather was hurting the track throughout the two weeks of racing before the 500 and the infamous pot hole during the Daytona 500 lead to over two hours of delays and a very unhappy crowd.

Despite these set backs, they still made for some great pictures. This year, I was shooting from the roof of the Sprint Tower, the highest point on the track, and it made for some amazing pictures.

At times it was limiting because you can only shoot from one spot. But overall, having a view of the entire 2.5-mile track made for non-stop shooting for over 7 hours.

Exhausting as it was, and freezing, and sun burnt I got to work with one of my favorite teams of photographers from The Orlando Sentinel. My editor Tom Burton and fellow photographer/mentor Gary Green were in the infield shooting and making deadline as our team was grabbing shots from around the entire track, pits and garages.

Because I live in Gainesville, I rarely get a chance to work with the fantastic people at The Orlando Sentinel. It is where I got my start in journalism and I wouldn’t be half the photographer I am today without these people.

Click Here for the Gallery at OrlandoSentinel.com