Lynyrd Skynyrd at Atlanta Motor Speedway…

So, this past weekend was supposed to be the AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. However, it rained for most of the evening on Sunday and the race was postponed until Tuesday (9-6). The rain didn’t come down until around 6:45, which allowed NASCAR to go through all the pre-race events including the Lynyrd Skynyrd show and the racer introductions.

I didn’t event think to ask or look-up who was playing the “concert” when I looked at the schedule last week. I was more concerned about shooting the race. However… I soon learned that Lynyrd Skynyrd was going to play. That peeked my interest, especially since I plan to start shooting more bands and musicians in the future.

So, there was are hanging out with Dale Jr. (throwing names around)
and I realized the show was starting. I walked over to the stage from the drivers meeting and quickly realized that it was going to be almost impossible to get to the front of the stage. I had all my gear with me including a 20lb backpack. I figured I better get up there or I wasn’t going to get any shots.

So, I started to muscle my way to the front. It’s truly amazing how people get out of your way when you have a bog lens on. It’s almost like they are thinking that they are in your way… which most of the time they are! ha

Anyways… A security guard sees me trying to get up to the front and she grabs my hand and pulls my to the front of the stage. I’m not sure if I would have gotten up there if it weren’t for her. As soon as I got up to the front… It started drizzling. It seemed to hold off a bit until the show was over. I had a great time shooting them.

Here are a few of my favorite Lynyrd Skynyrd pics form the day.

Gary Rossington