CLIENT: CALIFORNIA "AUTO CLUB" SPEEDWAY

PROJECT: VENUE & TRACK DOCUMENTATION FOR NASCAR NATIONAL SERIES RACES

FEBRUARY 2006 & SEPTEMBER 2006

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ADRIENNE HELITZER & TAMMY LECHNER

ALL IMAGES COPYRIGHT STILL PRODUCTIONS_AUTO CLUB SPEEDWAY/2006©

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Documentation of the venue and the track for both NASCAR National Series Races during the 2006 season for the "California Speedway" (now known as the "Auto Club Speedway.") Emphasis of this project was on the venue and its audience - with the goal of capturing the excitement, fun and color of attending a NASCAR event at the Speedway. These photographs were used by the Speedway marketing department for media distribution, and in corporate presentations and brochures, for both print and web.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Auto Club Speedway hosts two major NASCAR National Series race events annually with the first race generally scheduled during February, close to the beginning of the NASCAR season, and the second race scheduled during September or October, close to the end of the season. (Photograph by Tammy Lechner/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

The garage area at California's Auto Club Speedway is buzzing with activity in the early morning hours on NASCAR race weekends. Each driver's car has a crew of mechanics busily preparing the vehicle to endure a 500 lap race around the Speedway track. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

Each race car is completely serviced and retooled on the morning of a NASCAR event. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

While the garage area inside the Speedway revs up early in the morning, the action on the parking lot surrounding the track comes alive as well with race fans setting up tailgate locations for parties. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

The NASCAR races at California's "Auto Club" Speedway attract about 80,000 race fans to the gate. Many fans arrive hours ahead of the race to enjoy walking along the "Midway" where vendors sell race souveniers and drivers have their own merchandise trailers where they often schedule autograph sessions in the hours leading up to the race. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

The "Infield" area of California's "Auto Club" Speedway becomes a virutal community during NASCAR race weekends where racing enthusiasts set up RV trailers and enjoy a neighborhood atmsophere that includes bicycle rides around the maze of streets to check out the various homesteads. (Photograph by Tammy Lechner/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

Tire mechanics prepare racks of tires for delivery to the garages early on race day morning. (Photograph by Tammy Lechner/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

Driver's belonging to a brand team, such as Dodge, are represented on the Midway with merchadise in the team trailer, Here fans can pick up t-shirts, hats, pins and various items related to their favorite NASCAR driver. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

A crew of mechanics review every inch of NASCAR vehicles early in the morning before it goes trackside to be maintained by the pit crew during the race. (Photograph by Tammy Lechner/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

Fans arrive at a corporate-sponsored tent "breakfast" party with posters, flags or cutouts for their favorite drivers to autograph before the race (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

This race fan brings along an expired license plate to prove his allegiance to NASCAR over the decades. (Photograph by Tammy Lechner/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

Along the Speedway's Midway race fans enjoy a break from the heat provided by an electric blower dispensing a cool mist of water. Fontana temperatures during the NASCAR weekend in September, 2006 approached 100 degrees. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

A bird's eye view of a section of the Midway at California's Auto Club Speedway, which was renovated during 2006 to create a "Town Center" design accomodating a full service restaurant, an entertainment stage, and a multitude of rows of merchandise trailers, sponsors and vendors offering food, interactive entertainment and race-related apparel and gear. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

Race fans at California's Auto Club Speedway move between the grandstand area surrounding the track action and the Midway section offering food, entertainment and shopping.(Photograph by Tammy Lechner/the Auto Club Speedway©)

A view of a section of the Midway, showing a portion of the vendors and merchandise trailers as seen from the exterior side of the grandstand at the Auto Club Speedway.(Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

Young race fans enjoy their own "racing derby" on the Midway at California's Auto Club Speedway. (Photograph by Tammy Lechner/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

NASCAR driver Greg Biffle makes his way through the crowd of race fans at California's Auto Club Speedway to attend an autograph session at his merchandise trailer along the Midway. (Photograph by Tammy Lechnerfor the Auto Club Speedway©)

A sculptor completes a sandcastle rendering of a race car driving through a scenic California background along the Midway at the Auto Club Speedway. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

Race fans taking in the race from the "Infield" relax at their RV site. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

A long view of the Midway at California's Auto Club Speedway shows the popularity of the Midway's offering of food, entertainment and shopping. (Photograph by Tammy Lechner/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

A fan of driver Tony Stewart arrives fully attired in clothing and colors to support a victory. (Photograph by Tammy Lechner/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

Race cars on display along the Midway, such as this one sponsored by the Auto Club (AAA) allow fans a chance to see the racing machines upclose. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

A race car sponsored by M&M is a colorful attraction on display along the Auto Club Speedway's Midway, especially to young race fans. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

A couple of young race fans explore the interior of a NASCAR vehicle on display along the Midway at California's Auto Club Speedway. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

A race fan finds a creative use for an empty beer case as he adds it to his ballcap to shade himself from the bright sun at California's Auto Club Speedway during a NASCAR race weekend.(Photograph by Tammy Lechner/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

NASCAR driver Gerg Biffle (at right) signs a race fan's t-shirt during an autograph session on the Midway at California's Auto Club Speedway. (Photograph by Tammy Lechner/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

Cheering fans of NASCAR driver Kyle Busch line up along the Auto Club Speedway's Midway to witness Busch receiving an award from the Fontana track for his win of the Sony HD 500 in September, 2005 that earned him NASCAR "Rookie of the Year" honors. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway)

President of the Auto Club Speedway, Gillian Zucker (at right), poses with NASCAR driver Kyle Busch (at left) during a ceremony to honor Busch's victory in the Sony HD 500 at the Fontana track during the 2005 NASCAR season. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

NASCAR driver Kyle Busch is surrounded by a ring of media as he pens his signature into wet cement that includes an historic plaque set into the Midway "Walk of Fame" at the Auto Club Speedway where Busch won the Sony HD 500 one year earlier at the Fontana track. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

NASCAR driver Kyle Busch pauses for fans to take photographs as he pens his signature into wet cement that includes an historic plaque set into the Midway of the Auto Club Speedway where Busch won the Sony HD 500 one year earlier at the Fontana track. (Photograph by Tammy Lechner/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

NASCAR driver Kyle Busch steps barefoot into wet cement after including his signature beside an historic plaque set into the Midway of the Auto Club Speedway where Busch won the Sony HD 500 one year earlier at the Fontana track. (Photograph by Tammy Lechner/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

Auto Club Speedway President Gillian Zucker leads NASCAR driver Kyle Busch through the crowd to greet his fans who gathered along the track's Midway to witness a ceremony honoring Busch and his "Rookie of the Year" achievements from the previous racing season. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck poses with his wife and handbag designer, Gelila Assefa, at the Auto Club Speedway where Puck partnered with the track to open "APEX" a high-end, full service restaurant located in the center of the Speedway's renovated Midway. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

Popular singer and songwriter "Jewel" performs to the grandstand crowd of 80,000-plus NASCAR enthusiasts prior to the beginning of the NASCAR national series race, September, 2006. (Photograph by AdrienneHelitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

Sky divers parachute to the turf area of the Fontana track during the opening ceremonies of the Auto Club Speedway's NASCAR national series race in September, 2006. (Photograph by Tammy Lechner/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

Pit crew members hold American flags while saluting the National Anthem during the opening ceremonies of the Auto Club Speedway's NASCAR national series race in September, 2006. (Photograph by Tammy Lechner/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

VIP's on stage to kick off the Sony HD 500 in 2006 with Auto Club Speedway President Gillian Zucker include celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck , actor Jason Lee, entertainer Jim Belushi, singer Kelly Clarkson, and California Governor Arnold Schwarznegger. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

Motor racing icons Carroll Shelby (left) and Phil Hill are voted by a national panel of motor sports writers to receive the special recognition "Eagle One" trophy as LA Times sports (racing) journalist Shav Glick (at right) applauds the moment along with the grandstand crowd gathered at the Fontana track in September, 2006. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

NASCAR driver Elliott Sadler waves to the grandstand crowd during his introduction prior to the start of the Stater Bros 300. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson waves to the grandstand crowd during his introduction prior to the start of the Ameriquest 300. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

NASCAR driver Dale Jarrett is greeted by entertainers Hilary Duff and sister Haylie Duff while Auto Club Speedway President Gillian Zucker (far right) looks on during the driver introductions prior to the beginning of the Sony HD 500 in Fontana, September, 2006 (Photograph by Tammy Lechner/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

NASCAR driver Kurt Busch responds to the cheering grandstand crowd at the Auto Club Speedway during his introduction before the Sony HD 500 in Fontana, September, 2006 (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzerfor the Auto Club Speedway©)

NASCAR driver Kurt Busch (at right) shares a handshake of congratulations for winning the "Budweiser" pole award to the Sony HD 500, September, 2006. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

NASCAR driver Jeff Burton is greeted onstage by actor Jason Lee, entertainer Jim Belushi and CA Governor Arnold Schwarznegger following Burton's introduction as a competitor in the Sony HD 500 at the Auto Club Speedway in September, 2006 (Photograph by Tammy Lechner/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

NASCAR driver Carl Edwards shares a hug with Auto Club Speedway President Gillian Zucker following Edward's introduction as a competitor in the Sony HD 500 at the Fontana track in September, 2006 (Photograph by Tammy Lechner/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

NASCAR driver Carl Edwards waves to the crowd as he is escorted from the track grandstand to hs pit location moments before the beginning of a NASCAR national series race in February, 2006 at the Auto Club Speedway. (Phorograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway)

A pit crew member for the McDonald's Racing Team stretches out before a NASCAR national series race at the Auto Club Speedway in 2006. (Photograph by Tammy Lechner/Auto Club Speedway©)

NASCAR driver Carl Edwards smiles to his pit crew before donning his racing helmet and speeding onto the track for a 500-mile NASCAR national race at the Auto Club Speedway in 2006. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

NASCAR racing is a sport that boasts having one of the largest fan followings of all professional sports. Women make up a high percentage of NASCAR fans, such as these young women in the grandstand of the Auto Club Speedway's National Series Weekend in September, 2006 (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

A NASCAR fan follows the action with headphones tuned into the pit crew communication and a doubletruck newspaper display of the days races and driver statistics. (Photograph by Tammy Lechner/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

At the beginning of a NASCAR national series race at the Auto Club Speedway the competitive field of race cars take off on the first of hundreds of laps around the Fontana track. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway)

A view of race fans following the cars on the track from the top of their RV campsites in the "Infield" of the Auto Club Speedway. (Photograph by Tammy Lechner/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

A NASCAR fan follows the action of a National Series race at the Auto Club Speedway. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

A NASCAR fan shows her devotion to the sport and driver #24 (Jeff Gordan) with a pin collection displayed on her cap while following the pit crew and driver communication on headphones. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

A view of the grandstand facing the track action and the driver pit crews (pit row) across the grass oval at Fontana's Auto Club Speedway. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

A father and son show their enthusiasm and excitement as they cheer on their favorite driver (Jamie McMurray) during a National series races at the Auto Club Speedway. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

This NASCAR fan shades himself from the heat of the Fontana track with a USA "hanky" flag. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

NASCAR fans of Dale Earnhardt Jr take in a National Series race at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

A long view of the grandstand and track (facing West) at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana during a National series race weekend. (Photrograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

Race fans follow the action from the outdoor seating area of suites overlooking the Fontana track above pit crew row. (Photograph by Tammy Lechner/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

NASCAR drivers compete in a 300-mile race and a 500-mile race during a National Race Series weekend. (Photograph by Tammy Lechner/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

A mom passes on her love of NASCAR racing to her daughter and teaches her how to follow the race on headphones. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

Headphones and a handheld mobile device work together to keep race fans informed of track communication between crews and drivers. (Photograph by Tammy Lechner/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

A view from the suite section above pit row shows two cars racing nearly side-by-side during a National series competition at the Auto Club Speedway. (Photograph by Tammy Lechner/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

A view of the racing action at the Fontana track from the "Infield" showing the lineup of RV's and campsites set up for a National series race weekend. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

Fans gather on top of RV's decorated with racing flags and follow the excitement of the race from their "Infield" perch. (Photograph by Tammy Lechner/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

The lap pole shows each driver's position in the race and can be seen from any point in the grandstand of suite areas of the Fontana track. Here the pole shows #16, Greg Biffel in the lead after 37 laps. (Photograph by Tammy Lechner/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

Fans react to a crash and spin out on the far side of the track during a National series race at the Auto Club Speedway. (Photograph by Tammy Lechner/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

A crash and spin out during a National series race at the Auto Club Speedway adds to the excitement and tension of the race. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

A long view of pit row at the Auto Club Speedway during the racing action of a National series race at the Fontana track in 2006. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

NASCAR driver Jeff Green makes a pit stop during the racing action of a National series race at the Auto Club Speedway. The officials in white uniforms oversee the pit crew action to make sure all repairs and changes occur within the rules. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

Driving at speeds exceeding 150 mph NASCAR competitors maneuver for passing positions on the track. (Photograph by Tammy Lechner/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

A closeup of a section of the grandstand crowd following the racing action of a National series race at the Auto Club Speedway. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

A view of the track from the corporate suite area as dusk falls over the Auto Club Speedway during a National series race, 2006. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

The inside view of the track seating area of a corporate suite at the Auto Club Speedway. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

An intense sunset colors the sky a vivid orange over the Auto Club Speedway's track in Fontana during a National series race, 2006. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©

A group of NASCAR fans take time out from following the action of a National series race at the Auto Club Speedway and pose for a group photo. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

A nighttime view of the Auto CLub Speedway during a National series race, 2006. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

NASCAR driver #17 Matt Kenseth of Wisconsin speeds to the finish line to win a National Series race at the Auto Club Speedway, 2006. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

Matt Kenseth, #17 enjoys a "victory" spin out in the oval turf at the Auto Club Speedway after winning a National Series race in 2006. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth and his crew gather around the Ford Fusion car #17 that Kenseth drove to a victory during a National Series race at the Auto Club Speedway, 2006. (Photograph by Adrienne Helitzer/for the Auto Club Speedway©)

(For more information on NASCAR and the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA please visit: www.autoclubspeedway.com