Fan Photography Guide for Shooting the Indy 500 Qualifying, Practices, and Race

 

I have been coming to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) for the Indy 500 for over ten years. When I first came, I was with my parents and would/could only go where they would go. Most of those places were not great for taking pictures, but I would make the best of where I was at. Now that they don’t accompany me anymore, I have the freedom to try different places. Although, I am sad that they do not come anymore!! I watched the professional photographers move around anywhere they wanted and I was jealous. I started to look at how I could get one of the “professional” photographer’s vests. It doesn’t seem like it would be easy to get one, so I will have to be happy with where I can get access. Besides, I like the shots that I am getting, but I would not turn a vest down!! So, this Guide is going to be where freelancers can get access. I do have a Bronze Badge, so I can get some limited access to spots where ticket holders cannot get to. I will list those places as well.

 

Before I start this, I must let you know that I will be sitting in my seat for the race. During the race, I will only take a few shots! I am in Row A (against the rail) in the Paddock Penthouse. I want to watch the race!! I do not show up for Race Day only. I am in Indianapolis for the qualifying weekend through the race. On the days that the cars are practicing, I get my shots of the cars on the track. On most days, the practices can be more entertaining and have more passing than the race. Besides, the USAC events and the Little 500 that occur that week are excellent! I probably take more pictures on those events than at IMS!

 

I had done an internet search for photographing the Indy 500 and there were a few sites that gave some suggestions, but they were not very helpful – somewhat helpful, but not really helpful. I decided that I would spend some time looking for good spots and put it out there for other amateurs that want the same information. I don’t mind sharing what I found (I may regret this when I cannot get to my favorite spot!). I view this as a living document and will update as I find new spots.

 

I will post the place and the required camera/lens information for each spot. I shoot with a Canon EOS 5D Mk IV for all action shots. I sometimes use a Canon 6D for when I am in Gasoline Alley (the garages). It is useful to have a second camera with a Wide-Angle lens at the ready. My lenses are:

 

1)      EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM – for action

2)      EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM – for action

3)      EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM – for fun shots

4)      EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM – for general shots

5)      EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM – for close-ups

6)      EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM – for general shots

 

Canon Professional Services (CPS) is there on the Qualifying weekend and Race Weekend. I am a member and can loan equipment for the day. I usually grab a Canon EOS 1DX and a newer EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM. This allows me to play around with the “latest and greatest!” I usually try the newest mirrorless cameras, as well.

 

 

Paddock Penthouse

 

I will start with where I sit on Race Day. I am in Section B31 in Row A. I have a great view of the exit of Turn 4 and the Entrance of Turn 1. Across from me are several big screens, so I get to see all the action elsewhere on the track. When it comes to pit stops, there are several pit stalls that are easy to photograph without the catch fence in the way. Now, for action on the track, once a car exits Turn 4, I have the catch fence in front of the cars until they are starting through Turn 1. As much as I love shooting the cars, I love this perch to watch the race!! On Race Day, I am a fan with a camera!!

 

I use the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM. Sometimes I will use a 1.4X Extender, rarely I will use the 2X Extender. I think the 2X will allow me to get pictures of Victory Lane on the new Victory Podium Stage. We must see how that goes this year!

 

Racing Action

Pit Action

 

Paddock Press Penthouse

 

Back in the day, newspapers would send reporters to cover the race and they had their own special area. It was called the pressbox. It looks like it hasn’t been used for that in many, many years!! It is now open for anyone. I like this spot, as it is covered and secluded. Not many people know about it and it can be pretty empty most of the time. It is a great place to sit on a hot, sunny day.

 

It is not a great place to shoot because the track has a catch fence blocking the track area. You can still get some good shots here, but they will have the fence in it!

 

I use the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM here.

Track Action

 

Gasoline Alley Suites Grandstands (on top of the suites) – next to the Pagoda

 

This is my favorite place to shoot!! Hands down my favorite place!! I grab the spot next to the gate that could let you into the Pagoda. On Qualifying Weekend, there may be a dozen or so photographers there.

 

Actually, it is the landing at the top of the stairs, with the Pagoda on the right and the grandstands on the left. There is about twenty to thirty feet of usable railing for shooting. What makes this spot great is there is no catch fence between the cars and this spot. If you get the timing right, you can get the cars right before they cross the Yard of Bricks!! I love those shots! The only drawback is that you have the antennas from the pit boxes sticking up. Because Pit Lane has a break at the Pagoda, there are no pit boxes and it is mostly free of antennas! That makes this a great spot to shoot from for the Yard of Bricks shot. The race series has their box right by the Yard of Bricks. It is the only one to watch out for!

 

Another challenge is panning at a car that is going over 220 mph! You can pick up the cars right around where the pit entrance starts and follow them past the Yard of Bricks. I find that I can get several good shots in a row and then I lose the smoothness for a few shots before I pick it back up again. I find that it takes a lot of skill to get consistently good pictures. After a few hours here, my arms get tired (really tired!)!!

 

The IndyCars have their Qualifying Photos done on Pit Lane right after they come in from their run. I can see them down pit road from me, but the driver’s back is towards me. However, the Indy Lights have theirs done by the Pagoda. From where I stand, I am just above the line of sight of the photographers. My shots look like the official photos!!!

 

I use the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM here.

Track Action

Indy Lights Qualifying Photo

 

Gasoline Alley Suites Grandstands (on top of the suites) – next to Turn 1

 

I also love this spot. There is a Handicap platform here that gives great access to Turn 1. During the Qualifying Weekend, the Yellow Shirts may shoo you out of there, but you can get part of the way in. Other times, you can walk right in. This is a great place to catch the cars entering Turn 1.

 

I use the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM here.

Turn 1 Action

 

Stairway next to Gasoline Alley Suites at Turn 1

 

This would be a great place for catch the vintage cars that are going slowly. I tried to catch the Indycars here, but you cannot acquire them fast enough to pan them through the turn. You can hear them coming, but you can only see the cars once they clear the suites that jut out and cover the Front Stretch. The stairway is to the side and back in from the suites. By the time I had them steady in the viewfinder, they were already exiting the turn!!! There are two levels to use here. I like the lower because it gets you lower to the track. Again, you can use this for parade laps.

 

I use the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM or EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM here.

Shooting location from stairway - I will get a better picture!

View from the stairway!

 

Tower Terrace next to Pagoda

 

I did not spend much time here. I will assume that these observations would be the same for all the Tower Terrace. The Gasoline Alley Suites Stands by the Pagoda works because there is a break in the Pit Lane and is clear of antennas. At the Tower Terrace, there are antennas all along the north side of Pit Lane.

 

I use the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM here.

[I need a picture for in here - next time I visit]

 

E Penthouse – Box 1 or 2 – Row A

 

I wanted a spot where I could get the cars coming towards me and this was a great spot. I was here for the last day of Qualifying and it was hard to get a spot in Row A. I will come back to this area again. I would actually like to be able to use the photographer’s hole in the fence, but I don’t have a vest. This is the next best thing! You can see all the way up the Front Stretch and there is no catch fence between your camera and the cars!

 

I use the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM here. I tried a few shots with 1.4X Extender on the lens. I experimented with the 2X Extender, but you have to pre-focus and hope you catch the car in the focus spot!!!

 

Shooting location from E Penthouse

Track Action

 

Victory Lane

 

Before the Victory Podium Stage was upgraded, Victory Lane was just below the stage. For the Indy 500, it was a mess of people crowding around the car when it pulled in! The only view for you to get was on the big screens! I could try to capture the Indy 500 winner, but I might get a partial view, if I used an Extender. The Indy Lights is a different story. If I can get to the rail on the side of the Tower Terrace, I can shoot down into the driver/car!

 

We will have to see how the new Victory Podium Stage will change the viewing.

 

I use the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM here.

The Indy 500 Winner is in there somewhere!!

Indy Lights Winner

 

 Pit Lane

 

On the Monday Practice, Bronze Badge holders can get access to Pit Lane. If you can get between pit boxes, in an empty stall, you can get good pictures. I am not sure of the rules, some Yellow Shirts will let you go up to Pit Wall and shoot and some others will keep you behind the while line. One of my favorite shots was from the white line into Marco’s car. I got him between pit equipment. I loved that shot!

 

I use the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM, or EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM.

Catching Pit Lane Action

Shooting into the Pit Boxes

At the end of Pit Lane, you can shoot Turn 1 action

 

Gasoline Alley

 

The Bronze Badge will get you into the garages, except on Race Day. I try to get in here as often as I can. Sometimes I get to play fan and get my picture with a driver. I have been doing this less in the last couple of years. I love to capture work going on with the cars. The Arrow McLaren SP Team is excellent. They have their cars turned sideways so you can see the side of the car. All the other teams show the rear of the car! Another good shot is of the cars going through Technical Inspection. Usually they shoo you away from the exit, but you can jump in for a quick shot. It depends on how busy they are.

 

I use the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM, or EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM.

View in the Gasoline Alley
 

 

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum

 

When my parents came with me to the race, we did not want to wait in traffic after the race. We would go and spend an hour or so in the museum to let the traffic subside enough that we would have a nice, traffic-free ride to the hotel. I did that for a few years after they stopped coming. When I was there in 2019, the museum closed early and I missed seeing the exhibits. I will not do that again. Now, I will visit mid-week to make sure that I see the entire museum! This is not to be missed!

 

I use the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM, or EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM.

 

 

Turn 3

 

This may or may not be a spot to shoot from. I saw a reference that indicated fans could get to a hole in the fence. If it is, I would love to be there. I walked the fence a little here and saw a photographer’s hole that you could use if you had a vest. I saw no way I could get there, legally! I will investigate the next time I visit.

 

 

Back Stretch

 

I think that there is a break in the catch fencing and it may be a spot to shoot from. I will investigate the next time I visit.

 

 

Turn 4

 

I assume that you can only shoot here if you have a photographer’s vest. I will investigate the next time I visit.

 

 

Turn 1

 

Other than the Gasoline Alley Suites Grandstands, I think that you need a photographer’s vest to shoot here. I will investigate the next time I visit.

 

 

 

Typical Shooting Plan

 

I get in early, so I can start in Gasoline Alley. I want to get pictures of the cars as they move through technical inspection. The teams are busy getting the cars ready and those are good pictures. Sometimes, you can see the drivers. Usually, they come out for signing autographs and getting their pictures taken with the fans.

 

Even on Race Day, I will wander through the Pagoda Plaza to people watch. I usually will eat here almost every day that I am here. When I am looking for a shaded area to sit, I come here! There are performers and bands that use the plaza.

 

I like to start with the Gasoline Alley Suites Grandstands by the Pagoda. I will spend the first part of the practice or Qualifying here to get the shots that I want. After a while, I walk through the Gasoline Alley Suites Grandstands to shoot the cars entering Turn 1. If there is a break in the action, I will quickly move to the outside of the track and go to the E Penthouse – Box 1 or 2.

 

I finish up the day with another walk through Gasoline Alley. Depending on who is fixing crash damage or making changes for the next day, there can be some busy garages.

#IMS 

Photographing at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

 

My trip to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course was a last-minute surprise and what a great surprise it was!! I had never been here before, but always wanted to. 2020 was a hard year on all forms of motorsport and a lot of races were cancelled or ran without fans. I was disappointed that the Indy 500 was run without fans in 2020, because I would not see the IndyCars this year. In August, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course announced an IndyCar race in September, with fans, and I got a weekend ticket. I was going to see the IndyCars after all!! I looked on the Internet for photography opportunities at the track and found two references [1,2] for non-media access photographers. These were photography guides for the track and they were put together by fans who liked to shoot. However, they were several years old. In the chat below one of the photography guides, it sounded like there were now less opportunities to shoot! I didn’t really know if I would be able to shoot, but I decided on going and see what was available. If I got a few good shots, I would be happy.

 

Two older references for fan photography without media access

1. http://blog.cclarkphoto.com/2008/09/mid-ohio-spectators-photography-guide.html (Accessed: 14 November 2020)

2. https://i.imgur.com/jow1Yp3.jpg (Accessed: 14 November 2020)

a. The above map was accessed from: https://www.reddit.com/r/USCR/comments/bjkmob/mid_ohio_photography_tipsadvice/ (Accessed: 14 November 2020)

 

I decided to put together this guide so that other photographers would have a reference for their trip to Mid-Ohio. I wish that I had seen a reference like this so I could have made better use of my time on the first day. I spent most of Friday trying out locations to see what I liked. I hope that someone likes what I have put together and finds it useful.

 

I shot with a Canon EOS 5D Mk IV for all action shots. I use a Canon 6D for my Victory Lane shots for the Road to Indy. My lenses are:

1)      EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM

2)      EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

3)      EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM – for fun shots

4)      EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM – for Victory Lane shots

I have included the IndyCar Layout in Figure 1 for reference. Because of the way that the 2020 season went, some tracks did two races, one Saturday and one on Sunday. That is what happened at Mid-Ohio. The support series consisted of the USF2000, Indy Pro 2000, and the Mazda MX-5 Cup. Indy Pro 2000 and MX-5 had two races, with the USF2000 having three races. I arrived for the Friday practices. I quickly found that there were a ton of shooting locations for those who were not fortunate enough to get a photographer’s vest (media access). Before the action started, I walked the inside of the track and picked several spots that I wanted to use.

 

I will give my notes on each turn and some pictures from there:

 

 

Figure 1 - Track Map (Will Pittenger - from: Wikipedia: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course)

 

Turn 1

 

So, I loved this place as a shooting location, as it gave great access to the cars. In fact, I would say this was my favorite shooting location at the track. The bridge is just to your right and you can snag a shot, if you are quick enough, with the cars just exiting under the bridge. Based on the references above and the comments, the access may be cut off when they use it for private events. There was a short fence here that allowed you to be up close to the action. You had a lot of room to shoot from the edge of the bridge up to the marshal’s station at the exit of the turn. This is on the outside of the track.

 

It was wide open when I first entered on Friday. I shot a USF2000 and MX-5 practice before I noticed that I had been “yellow-taped” in. At one point, I turned around and all access points had three levels of yellow tape shutting it off. Whoever did the taping, let me stay, but never informed me that I could not be there!!! It was closed off for the rest of the weekend. I would have loved to shoot from there each day!!!

 

I got some excellent panning shots with great green spaces as a background. I tried to capture some curbs and other course items in the pictures. The bridge also made for a great background.

 

I used primarily a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM.

 

USF2000 - in Turn 1

USF2000 - under the Bridge

 

Turn 2 (Keyhole)

 

I did not actually shoot the cars here. I walked up and took a few practice shots. This would have been one of the only locations where I could have shot from outside of the track. You were shooting from a mound that allowed you to see above the catch-fence. You could get some panning shots, but I think it would be mostly the cars coming towards or going away from you. To get a shot, you have to be at the high points of the mound. It seemed like there were only two spots where you could get fence-free pictures.

Looking towards Turn 1 from the Keyhole - cars will be coming towards you.

Keyhole

Turn 3

I don’t think that you can get access to this turn without a photographer’s vest.

 

 

Turn 4

This was my second favorite area. I wish that I had started each race here, as it looked to be one of the best passing opportunities. I got a few shots of passing coming through and out of this turn. On the straight, great panning shots could be had with the large video screen in the background. I loved to use it with the long-exposure shots! You could also get good shots of the cars entering Turn 5, at the top of the hill. There were shooting opportunities from the middle/exit of Turn 4 to the entrance to Turn 5, because there was a short fence.

 

I used both a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM and an EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM here. If you are capturing the cars coming off of Turn 4 or entering Turn 5, the 100-400mm would be better.

 

IndyCar going into Turn 5 - top of the hill

Indy Pro 2000 - Coming through Turn 4

IndyCar - between Turns 4 and 5

 

Turn 5

It looks like you need a photographer’s vest to shoot here from the outside of the track (inside of the turn). You could shoot through the fence and hope that it didn’t show up in the picture.

 

 

Turn 6

Again, to be on the inside of the turn, you needed a photographer’s vest. However, you could get close. The short fence ran from the exit of Turn 6 to the Honda Bridge. The problem with shooting close to the exit of Turn 6 was that the TV crew was stationed there and they were an obstacle. I went about halfway to the Honda Bridge and could get good views of the cars in Turn 6. For the USF2000 cars, I could catch them belching a flame before they entered the turn. The tricky part was that the TV crew blocked them before they were starting the turn, but you could get them just entering the turn. The middle of the area was a great place to get some panning shots with campers in the background. You could also shoot under the bridge and going up the hill towards Turn 8. I spent a lot of time here.

 

I used both a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM and a EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM here. However, the 100-400mm gave me more range, so it was more useful here. For strictly side panning shots, the 70-200mm was fine.

 

MX-5 Cup - between Turns 6 and 7

USF2000 - belching fire into Turn 6

IndyCar - entering Turn 7

IndyCar - between Turns 6 and 7

 

Turn 7

 This was at the Honda Bridge. The short fence continues right up to the bridge, so you can get some good shooting. There are some good views of the cars coming at you, but you can catch them turning for a bit of a side view. You need to get the panning right and shorten up the exposure to get sharp pictures. I found the best picture where you wedge yourself between the fence and the bridge stairs. If I were a little thinner, I could have gotten about a foot more to the right!!! I got a lot of good shots here.

 

On the other side of the bridge, you can get good shots of the cars going up the hill to Turn 8. There is tall catch fencing after the break in the fence.

 

I used both a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM and an EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM here, depending on how close you were shooting.

 

IndyCar - coming to Turn 7

MX-5 Cup - coming to Turn 7

 

Turn 8

 

Once you get up the hill, the catch fencing runs out and there is a short fence to Turn 9. I only shot here a little and got some good panning shots.

 

I used both a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM and an EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM here. I think that the 70-200mm is a better choice for most of the shots here.

 

MX-5 Cup - going to Turn 9

 

Turns 9, 10, and 11

 

You are in Thunder Valley at this point and there is limited access unless you have a photographer’s vest. On the inside of the track, you can find a few spots on the hilltop that will give you access without the catch fence between you and the car. I looked at these spots but did not shoot here. Maybe I will the next time that I am here. I should have walked the outside of the track, as there were some comments in the two references about the views. Again, I may go there the next time that I am here.

 

I don’t think that you could use anything but a 100-400mm here. It is just too far from the hilltop to the track.

 

 

Turn 12 (Carousel)

 

I ended up here on Friday and saw a bunch of cars and canopy tents here. I decided on getting an infield parking pass for Saturday and Sunday, so I could have my car in a central point. Each time that I come, I will park here!

 

There is a short fence all the way around the inside of the Carousel. You have a lot of access in this spot. Once the catch fence runs out, you can capture the cars from there to going up the front stretch! But, not all from the same location! I liked the corner in the fence that faced the entrance to the Carousel. This ties with my second favorite spot to shoot. From that location, you can follow then from the end of the catch fence to the entrance of Turn 13. If you wanted to catch the cars exiting Turn 13 and going up the front stretch, you had to walk about fifty-ish feet to the fence row after Turn 13. I had to ask permission to walk through or between the canopy tents for access. No one said no!

 

I used both a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM and an EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM here. However, the 100-400mm gave me more range, so it was more useful here.

 

Indy Pro 2000 - in the Carousel

IndyCar - entering the Carousel

Indy Pro 2000 - before the Carousel

Indy Pro 2000 - passing in the Carousel

 

Turn 13

 

See my discussion of Turn 12. Most of that discussion applies here. There were a lot of canopy tents on the fence row past Turn 13. You could get a nice view into the pits and exiting Turn 13.

 

IndyCar - Pit Lane

 

Starting Stand

 

I love to get pictures of the cars receiving the Checkered Flag. There was an empty photographer’s hole that would require a photographer’s vest to use! I could not get there (legally), so I had to shoot through the fence. I pre-focused the lens and took several practice shots before the winner got there. I wanted to make sure that I was ready!

 

I used a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM for this.

 

Colton Herta receiving the IndyCar Checkered Flag

IndyCar Victory Lane

 

I love capturing the Victory Lane ceremony, but Covid has made it impossible. It is my understanding that you could visit the ceremony if you had a Paddock Pass. Those were not available in 2020! I could shoot through the fence on the other side of the track. I put on the 2X extender on the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM, so I could capture the action.

 

 

Road to Indy Victory Lane

 

The Victory Lane Podium was on the outside of the track (and outside of the Paddock) and right before the bridge going over Turn 1. Hmmmm, this was a bit of a grey-ish area. There were no signs or restrictive barriers to get access. I suspect that I was not allowed to be there. No one shooed me away, so I stayed off to the side and socially-distance myself from the other photographers, the best I could. I was masked the entire time. I love seeing the emotion of victory and it was on display this weekend!

 

 

MX-5 Cup Victory Lane

 

This was done in the MX-5 Paddock and was not viewable.

 

 

Final Thoughts

 

Mid-Ohio is definitely a fan-friendly track for photography and I recommend it!! I was surprised at the number of great places for shooting. My initial worries about shooting locations were for naught. I want to return in the future. I filled up one of my CompactFlash cards halfway through Friday and had to change cards! I have never done that before!!! Thank goodness that I don’t use film. I would have had to mortgage the house to pay for developing!!!

 

I know it was only for 2020, but I loved having races on both Saturday and Sunday. It was non-stop action all three days. The only downside was that my arms were sore from holding up the camera by Sunday afternoon!!!

 

I am hoping that Covid is not a thing the next time I go. I want to get a Paddock Pass to get better access!

 

I see this as a living document. On the next trip, I am going to explore some of the areas that I missed on this trip and add them to this document.