Photos From The Final Nascar Race Of The Season In Miami

[jholbrook]

Greetings to my friends here on the German Rolex Forum! :supercool:

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:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Miami%20Nascar/conrad1.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Miami%20Nascar/conrad2.jpg

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

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Miami%20Nascar/john-in-room.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Miami%20Nascar/john-at-window.jpg

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

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Miami%20Nascar/family-shot-miami1a.jpg

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

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Miami%20Nascar/pitts-from-Saturday.jpg

Here's a shot of me on the track:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Miami%20Nascar/john2ontrack.jpg

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

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Miami%20Nascar/john2infrontofpodium.jpg

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.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Miami%20Nascar/the-trophy1.jpg

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.:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Miami%20Nascar/john-next-to-car-in-garage2.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Miami%20Nascar/john-in-pit-row3.jpg

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:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Miami%20Nascar/taylor-hicks2.jpg

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

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Miami%20Nascar/patrick-dempsey2.jpg

The patriarch of NASCAR - Richard Petty:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Miami%20Nascar/richad-petty1.jpg

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:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Miami%20Nascar/cars-in-pitt-row-befoe-race.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Miami%20Nascar/gordon-car-in-pitts4.jpg

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:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Miami%20Nascar/group-in-race.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Miami%20Nascar/group-in-race3.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Miami%20Nascar/ernhardjr2a.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Miami%20Nascar/group-in-race-2.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Miami%20Nascar/tony-stewart1.jpg

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

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Miami%20Nascar/pittstop.jpg

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

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Miami%20Nascar/pittstop.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Miami%20Nascar/jimmiejohnson2.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Miami%20Nascar/martin4a.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/jholbrook/Miami%20Nascar/martin3a.jpg

I hope you enjoyed the photos - thanks for looking!

[PCS]

I love these Threads. Fantastic. Thanks a lot! :gut:

[spacedweller]

thank´s John !! :verneig:

[Rolifan]

klasse! :gut:

[EXPLORER]

very nice pictures, thanks :gut:

[ehemaliges mitglied]

great as usual...thanx for sharing...

[jholbrook]

Original von PCS
I love these Threads. Fantastic. Thanks a lot! :gut:

You're welcome Percy - glad you liked it! :supercool:

[jholbrook]

Thanks for all the kind words guys - it was a fun time for sure!

[chris01]

WOW!
was that the race with montoyas firecrash??

[Moehf]

Cool John, how is your job called? I need this one too!
"Official invited VIP to all cool locations and events?" :D :D

[Essentials]

Fantastic photos, the only thing i miss: the fantastic sound of these cars... vrooooommm.... :gut:

[Masta_Ace]

Many thanks!!

Just great!

[Hannes]

Thank you for the great story, John !

[jholbrook]

Original von chris01
WOW!
was that the race with montoyas firecrash??

It was indeed. 8o

[jholbrook]

Original von Moehf
Cool John, how is your job called? I need this one too!
"Official invited VIP to all cool locations and events?" :D :D

My official job title is "Lucky." :tongue:

[jholbrook]

Original von Hannes
Thank you for the great story, John !

My pleasure Hannes!

[THX_Ultra]

Wow! Great pictures, I really wish to attend one of these events in the future!
Especially after these insight pics! Thx for sharing John!

[flost389]

very great story!
which watch does your son wear on during this weekend?
is it also a rolex?

[jholbrook]

Original von THX_Ultra
Wow! Great pictures, I really wish to attend one of these events in the future!
Especially after these insight pics! Thx for sharing John!

You're most welcome. :supercool:

[jholbrook]

Original von flost389
very great story!
which watch does your son wear on during this weekend?
is it also a rolex?

LOL! A bit expensive for a 10 yr. old...he'll get one later. For now he wears an Invicta 8926. :tongue:

[Kiki Lamour]

john, u r a good guy - thx a lot for uploading!!!

[JHG]

Fine as usual!

[jholbrook]

Original von Kiki Lamour
john, u r a good guy - thx a lot for uploading!!!

Thank you very much - I love sharing photos with this community. You are all so very kind.

[ICEBIRD]

nice pics, that reminds me of my vacation in miami beach this summer :)

[miboroco]

Wundervoll :gut:

Danke!!!

[steve73]

VERY NICE! :gut: :verneig: