Pray for Safety

"Reverend Dan Petfield of Racing With Jesus Ministries prays with Brennan Newberry, driver of the #24 Qore24 Chevrolet (L) and Daniel Suarez driver of the #6 Sunoco Racing Fuel Toyota (R) before the start of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East UNOH Battle at the Beach race at Daytona International Speedway on February 18, 2014 in Daytona Beach, Florida."

Finding quiet moments in auto-racing can sometimes prove to be challenging.

In a sport where most of the time athletes are shielded by a full-face helmet, a 700-horsepower machine, or a pit crew - documenting these type of moments isn't typical. When it does happen, it takes good access and patience.

After a driver wins the big-race they display to the world how happy they are. But leading up to the triumphant celebration, rarely do you see peaceful moments shine. This is only because the athletes spend a majority of their time behind the wheel - and it's near impossible to document how they feel when all a photographer can see is a race car speeding by.

But silent moments still exist when access is granted throughout the day - and these are usually found on my favorite part of the track - the grid.

Much like the other series, the access was great on the grid covering the NASCAR K&N Pro Series Battle at the Beach race at Daytona International Speedway. I found the assignment very rewarding as photographers had a bit more of a leash in terms of coverage.

When access is good, viewers get a glimpse at the world they seldom get to see from their seat in the grandstand or their couch at home.

At the end of the day, it was a nice juxtaposition to see how driver Daniel Suarez spent pre-race praying before he celebrated in victory lane post-race after winning the race.