I've just picked out my final selection of racing photos from two weeks ago to go on my main web site, but wanted to get in a few words about one of my favorites. It's a post-race portrait, rather than a racing action shot: http://www.robertstech.com/graphics/pages/mid-o_34.htm
You probably need the back story to appreciate it. The subject is Tommy Hayden. This shot was taken at the press conference after the last race on Sunday. At the previous event at Laguna Seca Tommy crashed and broke a metacarpal bone in his right hand. He had it surgically pinned back together and was back racing at Mid-Ohio *two weeks* later: Look at his right hand in the photo and you'll notice the back is still swollen (compare it to his left hand and it's obvious - these guys don't have much subcutaneous fat!) Notice that he's holding the microphone in his left hand - he's right-handed. Because he was in so much pain at Mid-Ohio, he was able to compete in only one event (in the series in which he was the points leader). In 90 degree heat and oppressive midwestern humidity he pulled of a second place finish. Amazing, under the circumstances. Anyway, I just love the mixture of emotions you can see in this photo. He's exhausted, in pain, thrilled with second place and really happy that the whole business is done with and I think you can see all of it on his face. (BTW: He held on to the points lead in the series.) The rest of my shots, anticlimactic as they might be after this story, are at http://www.robertstech.com/mid-ohio.htm -- Mark Roberts Photography and writing www.robertstech.com
