RPW Exclusive: Covering The Biggest Events In Sprint Car Racing: A Perspective Article
News Director 
Column By: DERICK KRINER / RPW – GRANTVILLE, PA – What’s it like going to the Knoxville Nationals, or the Kings Royal, or enjoying the sunshine in Florida in February? What’s it like going to all of these events and covering them for a media outlet?
In a word, exciting.
As schedules for different series started to roll out towards the end of 2022, assembling a personal schedule took a turn. Finding and making new connections within the racing media world drastically changed my personal schedule, for the good.
As a Central PA race fan and photographer, having only occasionally covered World of Outlaws shows in a media member capacity prior, 2023 opened up a new world of coverage opportunity.
Being able to cover big events is special and makes you feel like you are truly a part of the show. Whether that is standing in victory lane at the Knoxville Nationals, or getting to stand high atop the photo stands at the Eldora Million, it makes you feel like you are not only getting a more unique experience personally, but are getting to show the fans through your photos and videos, that unique perspective.
Standing in there and getting covered in dirt and clay, is all worth it when you see the reaction of people, seeing what comes out the other end of the lens.
What a lot of fans probably don’t know about is all the work that goes on after the races every night. While most fans go back and retire to their homes or hotel rooms, most nights for a media member include staying at the track and getting interviews from drivers.
Then going back to the hotel and having to edit photos and videos for an additional 1-2 hours. So getting to bed around 2:00 to 3:30 AM is not uncommon.
Then getting up and typing out articles by 8:00 AM, is also part of it. It may seem crazy, but completing events and getting great content is the motivation behind all of it. So the next time you see a photographer and think they are crazy for standing somewhere, remember they are doing it to get you those unique shots and videos that fans love to see.
Starting the season with DIRTCar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park and finishing it all up at World Finals in Charlotte, makes it all feel full circle.
Throughout the season, getting to cover Volusia, the Eldora Million & Kings Royal, Knoxville Nationals, the Williams Grove National Open, and World Finals, you as a media member get to see some of the deepest and most talented fields. On top of getting to see all of these great drivers, you get to visit some of the best facilities and atmospheres in all of dirt track racing.
Seeing the excitement of the fans and drivers and getting to capture that, is truly one of the coolest feelings and a motivation factor. Filling in the rest of the year covering races every weekend at your local tracks, truly makes a season go by in a flash. As stated at the beginning, this season is and was, in a word, exciting. Onto 2024.
