It started with the 43rd Annual Snowball Derby at my home track, Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola (FL). It was my first Derby as a member of the Speed51.com crew.

Over the course of the season I attended over 30 Late Model Events as a correspondent for Speed 51, learning the ropes of short track journalism. Now, as I look into next season, I still have a ton to learn, but I feel more prepared than ever before.

The learning curve with Speed 51 also saw my personal projects fall by the weigh side a bit this year. Tops on that list is TheSpeedzine.com. I am still trying to figure out how to incorporate that project into the fold without going at it half-hearted, and without ruffling too many feathers.

The other major project is this site, DanielVining.com. This will always remain the hub of my internet life, in whatever form that may be. So when in doubt, start here!

To close, I will be putting in a great deal of effort in the coming weeks to get my projects back on track and prepare for the fast approaching 2012 race season. So thanks for stopping by for whatever reason, and I hope you enjoy visiting and reading my works.

Thanks again,

Daniel C. Vining.

Brandon Odom pacing the field at South Alabama Speedway. (Copyright DanielVining.com 2011)

I cover the Deep South Racing scene.  It’s my first season, and so far it’s been a blast.  I’ve been to places I’ve never been and gotten to know a ton of great people.  One of those great people is Brandon Odom.  This kid is a racer’s racer.  He works on his car, pits his competitors car and drives his tail off.

This past Saturday I had the honor to witness and report on one of the crowning achievements of Brandon’s young career.  He won the Diamondback 100, the second round of the 2011 Viper Series at South Alabama Speedway.  This was Brandon’s first Late Model win in a race of 100 or more laps.

Aside from the cool factor associated with Brandon’s win is the fashion in which he did so.  He led all 100 laps in route to victory.  That’s one whale of a feat.  To top that off, he then finished second in a street stock feature following the Pro Late Model race.  Way to go Brandon!

From my point of view, Brandon’s win came out of nowhere.  I have been focused on the biggest names on the circuit right now.  Names like Pollard, Grill, Garvey and Hamner.  Odom sprung up in surprisingly dominant fashion.  I’m sure it’s no surprise to his friends and family, who have watched his rise into Deep South Late Model supremacy.

The Diamondback 100 was Brandon’s race, but there was a dog fight behind him.  Six yellow flags, and one red flag thanks to an oiled down track kept the action intense.

My feature article for this week recaps the Diamondback 100.  Check it out over at Speed51.com, The Short Track Source. Finally, the next time you see Brandon Odom strolling through the garage, make sure to stop him and congratulate him for a job well done.

Logan Boyett and "Man's best friend," at Mobile. (DanielVining.com)

Chatting with Logan during practice at Mobile International Speedway while he was holding his dog.  Since Logan and the dog are on different planes, I couldn’t get a shot with both of them in focus, but since the focus is supposed to be the happy pouch, I think it turned out well.

Seeing articles and photos that I wrote or shot as the Top Story on Speed51.com is very gratifying. (DanielVining.com Tear Sheet)

This past weekend I covered the second of five Pro Late Model 100 lap races at Mobile International Speedway, in Irvington, Alabama.  As Bubba Pollard continued his dominance of the Deep South race tracks, I got some great shots and good interviews.  Also, I laid the foundations to a couple of possible client leads.  Instead of just linking through to my Bubba Pollard feature on Speed51.com, I thought i’d tell you about my day at the track instead.

I got to the track waaaay too early.  In fact, I tweeted out a picture of an empty infield.  I was at the track so early that only the track officials setting up the tech shed were there, and teams were lining up just outside the gates, waiting to enter the speedway.

As the teams finally began to setup for the day, so did I.  Parked in the infield this weekend, I was always just a few steps from all of my gear, even though I never set up my laptop and for that matter, never went up to the booth.  I think I found a great spot to park next time, where I can use the bed of my truck as a perch to shoot from.

As the day progressed I talked to drivers, a couple of team owners and track officials, snapping great shots along the way.  During this time, I was approached by a few different people asking about how they can get copies or prints of my photos.  The fact that people are asking how to buy my work is flattering and inspires me to work that much harder at doing a great job.  This has sparked a sense of urgency for me to set up my online store so that anyone, not just select clients, can be able to purchase prints, digital downloads and who knows what else directly from DanielVining.com.  Look for my online store to go live very soon, it’s in the works now.

Not having to man the “keys” of Speed51.com’s Trackside Now coverage afforded me the opportunity to really enjoy the day.  I hung out with friends at the track, was able to really talk to drivers and take more time to shoot more of the event.  I like Trackside Now, and enjoy being a part of it, but it is a true challenge to do solo.  As part of a coverage team it’s great.  On my own, I am still struggling to find a rhythm and not loose out on content.

By the time the Pro Late Model feature was set to begin, it was dark and the local divisons had finished their features.  I went to my truck to grab my flash, but was disappointed to rediscover a problem which as left my flash utterly useless.  So, no night shots this week, maybe next time.

Instead of setting up in the booth with my laptop to take notes on the race, I sat in the stands and used a pen and pad.  Going old school, not by choice so much as by convenience.  Mobile Speedway’s press booth is TINY and I didn’t want to deal with that.

The race was okay.  I have seen more exciting events, but at least the race was clean and fast paced.  Pollard truly showed that he is the man to beat in the South and after the race, told me that he is ready to expand beyond the four or five tracks he currently tours.  In post race tech, Pollard showed his enthusiasm for experiencing the challanges of racing in the K&N Pro Series, or Late Model racing further North, emphasizing wanting to go to Winchester Speedway.  Unfortunatley, like most teams, it all boils down to finances.  Simply put, if and when he and his team can afford to expand their schedule, or move up to higher series, they will.  It sucks, but that’s racin’.  I am the same way.  I can’t really afford to go any other tracks other than the ones I am going to now.  However, as I build my finances, and as opportunities present themselves, I’ll travel to other places to see what’s out there.

Well, that was my day at Mobile.  I’ll be posting a slew of pictures from the weekend soon, so stay tuned for that.  In the meantime, check out the feature on Speed51.com and don’t forget to follow me on Twitter and Facebook.

A DanielVining.com speed shot taken in April 2011 at South Alabama Speedway was used to help create Logan Boyett's new website. (BozPC and Logan Boyett Racing).

Check out Pensacola Late Model racer Logan Boyett at his new website, www.LoganBoyettRacing.net

Hunter Robbins cashed in, winning the Show Me the Money 100 lap Pro Late Model race at Montgomery Motor Speedway on April 2, 2011. (DanielVining.com 2011)

The Elantra 100 held on April 22, 2011 marked the inaugural race for the new Allen Turner Pro Late Model Series at Pensacola’s Five Flags Speedway.  This was the first of a scheduled five races leading up to the annual Snowflake 100 during the Snowball Derby weekend in December.  Hunter Robbins bested the 24 car field, including a very fast D.J. VanderLey and strong Bubba Pollard to win his second race in as many starts in 2011. more >>

Bubba Pollard drives with the #08 on the side of his car in honor of Beau Slocumb. (DanielVining.com)

Bubba Pollard used patience and a little help from a friend to claim his third win of 2011, winning the Sidewinder 100.  The win comes only a week after the motorsports world lost one of it’s own, Beau Slocumb, who sucum to cancer after a two year fight.  Read my full Speed51.com article about Pollard’s special win and check back here for more photos and updates from South Alabama Speedway.

Pending Slocumb family approval, Bubba Pollard and Ronnie Sanders Racing look to continue honoring Beau Slocumb throughout 2011 by carrying his colors from race to race this season.  Visit BubbaPollard.com for more information about Bubba.

Taken at South Alabama Speedway. (DanielVining.com)

Bubba Pollard saved his car until the end of The Sidewinder 100.  That’s when he made his charge up to the front in route to winning round one of the 2011 Viper Series at South Alabama Speedway.  In doing so, he continued to honor his late friend, Beau Slocumb by carrying his number on the side of his car, replacing the familiar #18.  That number… 08.

Full article and a slew of great photos are in the works.  More to come very soon!

I am proud to say that I have officially been published!  Speed51.com sent me to Montgomery Motor Speedway to cover the season opener for the “Show Me the Money Series.”

Read the story >> http://bit.ly/f0kyuI (Courtesy Speed51.com)

Tear Sheet of Montgomery Feature. Click to expand. (Daniel Vining Screenshot)