As I have mentioned before I am an Iowa boy born and raised. One great benefit of being from Iowa is my proximity to the Sprint Car Hall of Fame and it’s home in Knoxville, Ia. As a youngster I can still remember the adrenaline coursing through body as we approached the track. The windows down I could hear 800+ hp of Outlaw muscle screaming from the other side of the fence. Wearing my Lasoski shirt my family and I would make our way to the track and watch these legends work the track. These are some of the finest memories of my childhood with my family. Why am I telling you this? To set up for this weekends event. As I headed back to Granite City Speedway in Sauk Rapids, MN to photograph at the local dirt track there was one thing on my mind. The Sprint cars are in town!

Don’t get me wrong, the stock cars, and Modifieds are amazing. It is just that I grew up with the sounds and smells of the Sprint car.

The night was great. A warm and windy day lead to a beautiful night. The Wissota boys and girls were back in town as well.

Once again they put on one hell of a show. The track started off a bit rough but quickly became a multi grooved raceway. There was one man that really took advantage of the great track this night. Tim Johnson was seeing double this night. He took home the checkered in his Street Stock and his Modified.

If you are wondering what the bottom side of one of these beasts looks like then watch Tim’s number 97 lift up that left front. He was hooked up and raced to the front all night.

While not as fast as the UMSS Winged Sprints, the Wingless Sprints made up for it with wicked slideways action!

These drivers mixed it up all night. The racing was intense and it took me a few laps to get used to the extra speed. I had to swing my hips a little faster to keep up with these drivers.

Near the end of the race Mike Mueller ran down Rob Caho, Jr. to take the win and celebrate he did!

Finally were the UMSS Winged Sprints.

Usually I have time between the cars going past my camera to check my images to see what I got but with the sprints on the track I had no time to even look down. I didn’t realize it during the race but at the end I realized the winner was Brooke Tatnell. Brooke was one of those drivers I used to cheer for back at Knoxville. What a treat!

Needless to say the night was amazing. Growing up watching the sprints hit the dirt I never dreamed I would be photographing them one day. I am grateful for the opportunity and will remember the night for a long time to come.

This next weekend I will be switching gears and photographing the motorcycles at the Mora Enduro. I look forward to seeing the Wissota Guys and Gals back at Granite City the following weekend.

Keep the sticky side down!