NASCAR Experience with Toyota Racing

Welcome to chicagoland

Toyota Racing hired me to photograph the NASCAR Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 400 at the Chicagoloand Speedway and these are my favorite photos from my incredible all-access day at the race. 

A ride around the track

The day began with a couple laps around the track in, of course, a Toyota. Even though we didn’t come close to the speeds stock cars reach, flying around the banked corners at more than a 100 mph gave us an idea of the physical stress put on the drivers during the race. 

garage and hauler tour

Exploring the garage and hauler gives you perspective on how much technology and engineering really goes into these cars.

toyota racing pit pass

Toyota’s Pit Pass experience is a must-visit for anyone going to the TMNT 400. Racing fans can sit in a stock car, enjoy the view atop the ferris wheel, and even get the chance to meet Toyota Racing drivers like Martin Truex, Jr. and Denny Hamlin. Better still, if you’re already a Toyota owner, you get VIP treatment and free food and drinks. 

Toyota thrill ride

This ride rivaled my pace lap. The Toyota Thrill Ride at Chicagoland Speedway was a dirt track in which the professional driver took their trucks and SUVs to the limit. 

Pre-Race

My behind-the-scenes access continued as the teams did their final preparations for the race. 

let's race!

There’s nothing like the first lap of a NASCAR race!

the tmnt 400

Scenes from the 267 laps of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 400. 

pit stop

This is arguably the most exciting part of a NASCAR race, especially when you have a hot pass for pit access. It’s an amazing display of athleticism, engineering, and coordination. 

toyota takes the checkered flag!

A perfect ending for my day with Toyota Racing: a Toyota victory by Martin Truex Jr.! 

victory for martin truex jr.!