IRL Twin 275s- Open wheel racing in Texas

[Juanito200]

I received four free tickets to the Indy Racing League Twin 275s race at the Texas Motor Speedway. My son Ian, Kevin Barrett and my friend Don came as well. They had a drifting contest before the open wheel action started, and a new format for the IRL race. It was two races with a break in between where the drivers would pick a tire on a pole, spin it and find out where they would start the second race. It was kinda gimmicky, but it did make it a little more interesting. Unfortunately, our view was hindered by the wheel fence, but having on hand to witness Kenny Brack's horrific wreck http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2ORmCDb_sM at the same track a few years ago, I'm glad the fences are there. He survived, but was severely injured.
This was definitely a test of my meager panning skills, but I think I did OK.. Let me know what you think. Kevin had some great shots too, so hopefully he'll post some here too.. hint hint!

[Juanito200]

Of course there were many photogs on hand to cover the events, and after many unsuccessful attempts at panning (200mph makes it a bit difficult), I (we) turned to shooting the photogs. I had never in my live considered armed robbery, until this guy walked by...

[Birma]

Great series John . You're right, the photogs are almost as interesting as the cars!

[Greg Beetham]

John I think those panning shots are really good, they are definitely not as easy as they look; I wonder what sort of shot that photog is getting at that close range with that giant lens, it looks really odd, maybe he's aiming clear across to the other side...maybe. I think that last shot of yours is a great shot, capturing the screen on the large display and the numbers on the pole as well as everything else being in good exposure as well.
Greg
ps. What do those numbers mean?

[Juanito200]

Thanks gents!
Greg- I thought he was taking pictures of the action on pit lane, but I pixel peeped on the full sized image. and it looks like a picture of cars coming towards him on the track on the lcd.. The white numbers on the left of the pole are the positions of the cars. The numbers on the right are the number of the car in that position.