[coverattach=1]O’FALLON, MO (Sep. 15, 2009) — When photographer John Mason arrived at Rockingham (NC) Dragway for this past weekend’s National Guard American Drag Racing League (ADRL) Flowmaster Dragstock VI, he knew he was coming for not just a race, but a happening.
“I know this is an annual event, but I feel like Dragstock is similar to its namesake, Woodstock, where for many people the music, or in this case the racing, is almost secondary to the experience of just being there, of being part of something special,” explains Mason, an African History professor who also teaches classes on the history of photography at the University of Virginia.
“Of course they wouldn’t even be there at all if it weren’t for the fast cars and motorcycles, but I think it’s great that so many new fans who have never even been to any kind of race before were there.”
Ironically, Mason also finds refuge amidst the noise, smoke, speed and crowds of a major drag racing event like the National Guard ADRL’s Dragstock.
“I love the diversity of drag racing. It encompasses all ages, genders, social classes and races,” he points out. “With so much conflict in the world, it’s nice to go somewhere where people get along and all that really matters is how fast you run.”
With that thought in mind, Mason says he set out to capture Flowmaster Dragstock VI through his lens in a manner that emphasizes the people—on both sides of the guard walls—over the racing machinery.
“I don’t want to say that taking pictures of race cars gets boring, but it can get repetitive. I thought I’d try to show a little of what goes on away from the track this time.”
The result is "ADRL Flowmaster Dragstock VI: A Day (or Two) at the Races," an insightful photo essay posted to Mason’s online blog (John Edwin Mason: Documentary and Motor Sports Photography) that pays homage to ordinary fans, fellow photographers and Army National Guard soldiers attending Dragstock VI on a one-day pass from their basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
“Having all those National Guard soldiers there was a real bonus,” Mason says. “Here you have all these young people who have chosen to serve their country; it’s really quite inspiring.”
Mason also is a contributor to East Coast Drag News and his event report and more photos from the National Guard ADRL Flowmaster Dragstock VI will appear in the next published issue.
“I know this is an annual event, but I feel like Dragstock is similar to its namesake, Woodstock, where for many people the music, or in this case the racing, is almost secondary to the experience of just being there, of being part of something special,” explains Mason, an African History professor who also teaches classes on the history of photography at the University of Virginia.
“Of course they wouldn’t even be there at all if it weren’t for the fast cars and motorcycles, but I think it’s great that so many new fans who have never even been to any kind of race before were there.”
Ironically, Mason also finds refuge amidst the noise, smoke, speed and crowds of a major drag racing event like the National Guard ADRL’s Dragstock.
“I love the diversity of drag racing. It encompasses all ages, genders, social classes and races,” he points out. “With so much conflict in the world, it’s nice to go somewhere where people get along and all that really matters is how fast you run.”
With that thought in mind, Mason says he set out to capture Flowmaster Dragstock VI through his lens in a manner that emphasizes the people—on both sides of the guard walls—over the racing machinery.
“I don’t want to say that taking pictures of race cars gets boring, but it can get repetitive. I thought I’d try to show a little of what goes on away from the track this time.”
The result is "ADRL Flowmaster Dragstock VI: A Day (or Two) at the Races," an insightful photo essay posted to Mason’s online blog (John Edwin Mason: Documentary and Motor Sports Photography) that pays homage to ordinary fans, fellow photographers and Army National Guard soldiers attending Dragstock VI on a one-day pass from their basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
“Having all those National Guard soldiers there was a real bonus,” Mason says. “Here you have all these young people who have chosen to serve their country; it’s really quite inspiring.”
Mason also is a contributor to East Coast Drag News and his event report and more photos from the National Guard ADRL Flowmaster Dragstock VI will appear in the next published issue.
