Second Generation

I had a strange experience last week at one of the race tracks I do web work for and it got me to thinking about second generation guys and what that is like. Our sport, probably more than other can boast more second and third generation participants than any other. Everyone knows the famous guys such as the Pettys, Earnhardts, Bakers, Jarretts, etc. But the really neat thing is that on a local level, the same thing happens. Take a look at the starting field of your local track. Most of those guys are second or even third generation drivers. But the line doesn't just stop there... most of those guys turning wrenches in the infield grew up watching their dads doing the same thing. But still, it doesn't stop there. Take a look in the grandstands or down in the infield.. most of those guys and gals are second generation fans.
I myself am a second generation fan, a product of my dad's love for this sport. Ever since I can remember, I have been attending racetracks. But I had a realization this past weekend. I am also a second generation photographer. Now, mind you, this isn't something that I just found out about... I mean I've been doing photos at tracks now for nearly two years, and grew up around my dads stuff, so I was aware of it. I just never really thought
about it. However, this weekend while taking a picture for the Sugar Creek website, it dawned on me. The situation was I asked one of the drivers, Jerry Lark, for a shot of him by his car. At the moment I snapped the shutter, I had a flashback to around 1978, or 79. Same guy, different car, different track, different photographer, but identical situation. In my minds eye, I could see Jerry Lark standing by a bright red and white Camaro and my dad focusing in the shot. But instead, it was some 20 years later and I was the one doing the shooting. It was almost like a time warp for me. On the one hand it was a look back at my childhood and memories of climbing in and out of race cars as my

dad took pictures of them or as he lettered 'em. It was memories of me as a kid chasing after my dad in the pits, trying to get the same angle, same lighting as he was getting, all the while using my cheap little camera. It was memories of me getting excited as Colin Williams gave me my first "lens" for my camera... it was all that and much more. It was the memories of first borrowing my dads equipment to take to the track.. it was the critiquing he gave my shots and the words of encouragement he gave along the way. An

eternity of time can pass in shutter speed.Yet, on the other hand it was a realization on my part of the changes made in the sport. Most of the drivers I grew up idolizing are now retired. At most tracks these days, what once was the premier division, Late Models, are now merely support classes and under cards for the high-tech, high performance, pure racers that run under the Late Model
banner. Gone are the days when a man could run on spare parts from the junk yard. The cold hard fact is the times have indeed changed much since those other pictures of Jerry Lark was taken. But, some  things have remained the same.... There are many out there in the pits and on the track weekend after weekend following in there fathers tire tracks, if you will, that still carry on that tradition. It's not hard to see the red and black #8 of Lil' E at tracks like Darlington and Bristol and not think of Ralph and Dale Earnhardt.... Many men behind the wall carry that same torch, "Chocolate"  Myers, Brad Parrott....the list could go on and on.
  Even though the technology changes, the people that involve themselves with racing and love the sport remain the same. Today, I like to think of myself as a photographer. I still feel I have a long way to go and room for much improvement, but I have a new sense of pride in what I'm doing. I look at my hobby slightly different. Hopefully I am in some small way, I too am helping to carry that torch.  I wonder if the second generation crewmembers, drivers and fans think as I do. I wonder if they think back to how they got here. I would like to think so.