[1:300]

1+300=1,300 

If a picture is really worth a thousand words – then the writing prompt is some kind of mathematical magic trick. Or literary illusion. Photographic puzzle?

Who are these guys? Brothers? Steve often used that word. Friends? Bryan frequently talked about his friend, still does. Teammates? Coconspiritors? 

Where are they? What were they up to? So many questions. Can they be answered? Does it matter? It’s not simply black and white.

Focus on their faces, crows feet and mischievous smiles tells you these old boys likely watched Evel Knievel jump motorcycles over things on tv. They probably made hydroplanes of scrap wood from construction sites to drag behind their bikes. Lived through the heyday of legends like Don Garlits and Mario Andretti. Certainly fell in love with the American Muscle Cars that dominated streets in the seventies and eighties. Undoubtedly they enjoyed too many burnouts and inhaled more than their share of exhaust fumes. Good times…

Zoom out and notice the chain link fence – built to keep a few in and most out.

In years gone by it was believed by some groups of people that a photograph captured a bit of the subject’s spirit..hopefully this is true. If there is literary immortality created by stories about people; photographs must be included in the immortalization.

Steve Huff and the Steve Huff Motorsports team had his electric dragster campaigned as “Faster Than Cancer” at Pacific Raceways for the NHRA NorthWest Nationals to break his own record and show off a little for hometown friends and fans at the home track. This was during what Steve called, “His time of greatest hits.”

Two old friends. One racer. One photographer. Same home track.

This image found its way following Steve’s death.

Posed pictures are nice. Candid photos are real. Take and share both.

Trees and Fences

The boy could climb a tall tree and see (over all fences) down the drag strip, road course, kart and motocross tracks. And maybe even spot a pretty girl in the stands.

When the controlled chaos stops…silence takes over.

Peace in the wild.

[100 word story]

“You just have to!” raced around sparkling blue eyes – his only physical feature unchanged by disease and treatments. This response to why a motorsports fan should make a trip to the salt flats of Bonneville made my same colored eyes water, still does.

“We have a lot of memories brother,” repeats in my ear most days. Especially today.

World speed records have his name on them. Racer in the books, builder for some and character to many.

Of all the places Steve Huff went fast…this one held a spiritual connection. Here I am.

As promised the experience is beyond words.

Home Track

What makes a track a “Home Track?”
Is it the one you grew up near?
One you live by now?
Favorite place to go for racing?
Is it about memories or the place itself?
A place where people say things like, “You’re the only one I know here” or “This is the only place I see you.”

I suppose it’s different for everyone and even changes as people move around, or worse when a track goes away. For me it’s a blend. I grew up about a half hour away from Seattle International Raceways towards Mt. Rainier and now live about a half hour towards the Puget Sound from Pacific Raceways (different name – same place).
I grew up coming here with friends and never stopped. I’ve brought girlfriends, walked my dogs around the trees and stands and made new friends here. I’ve been coming here a lot more these last few years and every single time my seventeen year old self high-fives me near the [Welcome Race Fans] sign.

WelcomeRaceFans

https://youtu.be/hSXn-qSkRPo

What makes a track a “Home Track?”

Is it the one you grew up near?

One you live by now?

Favorite place to go for racing?

Is it about memories or the place itself?

A place where people say things like, “You’re the only one I know here” or “This is the only place I see you.”

I suppose it’s different for everyone and even changes as people move around, or worse when a track goes away. For me it’s a blend. I grew up about a half hour away from Seattle International Raceways towards Mt. Rainier and now live about a half hour towards the Puget Sound from Pacific Raceways (different name – same place).

I grew up coming here with friends and never stopped. I’ve brought girlfriends, walked my dogs around the trees and stands and made new friends here. I’ve been coming here a lot more these last few years and every single time my seventeen year old self high-fives me near the [Welcome Race Fans] sign.