AP Photographer certainly appreciates his view
My first race was in '67. It was a rainout after 20 laps, we came back
the next day for more rain and then on the 3rd day we had a race. It
ended with a last lap crash right in front of us and AJ Foyt weaving
thru to get the win. I was hooked at the age of 9.
The years rolled by and I attended some races and listened on the
radio to the ones I couldn't get to. I remember the feeling of hearing
the start of the race on the radio and not being there, since 1986, I
haven't missed a race except in '91 when I forgot to get my ticket
order in on time. Since 1994 I have been lucky to live a dream. I got on
with UPI as a photographer. I have been with AP for the last 3 races.
The thing that I find hardest to describe is the feeling you get,
standing out in turn 3 up against the fence, looking at all those people
and knowing that is just a drop in the bucket compared to the ones
watching at home and listening all over the world.
Back Home Again in Indiana, taps, the flyovers, the balloons go up. Then
the command to start their engines. I get goose bumps just thinking
about it. As the cars roll by for the parade laps and the pace lap I try
to concentrate on my task at hand, to photograph this great event. The
race starts, I hear them as they approach down the backstretch. I am
in focus and ready as I will ever be. The first cars come thru turn 3, I
am still teary eyed and now shaking. After 2-4 laps I begin to settle in
and enjoy the race and do my job. I just keep thinking, is this great or
what?
Words can not describe the feelings, of atmosphere and that you will
get, by attending this event, it is truley awsome. I hope someday you
too, will be able to attend if you never have.
Signed,
The luckiest guy on earth
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