Dallas MS 150 (Sunday)

The alarm went off early this morning. I think Sunday is always the hardest day to get up early, especially after being so exhausted from the first day of the event. Regardless, we managed to get up and get out of the hotel and on our way on schedule. Unfortunately, that schedule was before McDonald's opened for breakfast. We made it to the Speedway as most riders were getting their breakfast.

We headed to the tunnel entrance into the actual track. As riders began to gather, we made arrangements for the ride into the track for the photo opportunity. How many photographers can you pack into the bed of a pick-up truck? We weren't able to answer that question as we needed to get into the track once the gates were opened. Don't want to keep these riders waiting!

As the group assembled in pit row, the volunteers scattered around the track quickly. Pete made his way around to one of the corners of the track and reportedly just got there before the pick-up and bikes made it around. After a couple of false "Are you ready?" we were finally ready and off we went! There wasn't much to do from the back of the pick-up except to keep shooting the riders behind us. Suddenly, I realized I should be taking in the experience too, but then another shot opportunity would come up and back to photographer I went.

Pete got some great shots from his angle! Afterward, I sat in the truck catching more shots of the riders coming out of the Speedway. Meanwhile, the TMS staff picked Pete and the other volunteers up in his truck and took them for a spin around the track at 90-100 mph. He enjoyed that opportunity!

With the riders on the road for the day, we headed back to the Tent Village. Here we had a quick breakfast and told the staff we'd see them in Ft. Worth. We'd decided no one seemed to know of any scenic shots along the route, so we made the decision to head to the finish line at Sundance Square in downtown Ft. Worth.

We found a reasonable parking space and made our way to the actual finish line. After a brief Starbucks run (for us and Tony) and we found our camping spots along the finish line. Pete stationed himself near one of the speakers, but right at the finish line. Here he was able to catch the cheers and excitement as the riders made their way under the banner.

Jamba Juice in hand, I stationed myself half a block away in the bend of the chute as the riders make a turn to get to the bike truck. I had a great angle where the riders came under the banner with the courthouse in background. Although I was in the sun, Pete had fetched the camping chair for me, so I sat and waited for the shots to come in.

In true Ft. Worth style, a rider rode in on the back of a longhorn complete with pink cowboy boots and hat. Friends and family were gathered all along the chute to cheer their riders across the finish line and greet them with hugs and kisses. Most were quickly off once their riders were done. I sat with Doug and some other Feisty Devil friends and family for awhile cheering on the devils as they came in. It sure helped to pass the afternoon.

Finally, we decided we'd captured most of the riders and had plenty of shots to call it a day!