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Any event where you watch the sun set and then see the sun rise is alright in my book. Daytona, Florida welcomed us with open arms as we arrived in town to cover the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This was a perfect scouting trip for us, since we’re hosting a GRAND-AM event later this year.

Daytona – not the prettiest spot in Florida, but filled to the brim with sunshine, fresh seafood and fast, fast cars.

I’ve never quite understood endurance racing. There are big cars, small cars, different series and classes and the whole 24 hour thing with multiple drivers. Nonetheless, I found myself incredibly excited for this event. In the past year, I’ve had the honor of covering the Centennial Running of the Indianapolis 500 and now the 50th Anniversary of the 24 Hours At Daytona. How lucky.

The cars are incredibly beautiful. I’ve become accustomed to open wheel cars, but these sports cars offer familiar and innovative lines. Some look like a car you would drive (if you’ve got bank) and others are directly from the drawing board. There is diversity abound.

The crowd is not incredibly diverse, but they’re certainly devoted. Many camped out for the full 24 hours. A few stayed the whole time. Most of the fans left for some shut eye, but returned at day light. That’s incredible commitment. This is a different level of race fan – passionate, in it for the long haul, and incredibly knowledgeable of their sport. It’s more like a cult (a good cult of course).

It’s also an environment where young up and coming drivers mix with sports cars superstars, IndyCar drivers, NASCAR drivers and legends from the past. And when I say legends, I mean Sir Jackie Stewart. Wow. I simply love this photo and it all came down to luck and timing – like most things in life.

Staying up for the 24 Hours is tough. Like most race events, I turned my thoughts to the experience of the mechanics. I’m just not sure I could stay so switched on for that long. I remember one of the Ganassi cars coming in after about 18 hours for a gearbox change! That’s insane. The mechanic responsible for that change not only has to respond quickly, but also without error. The real superstars of this event? The Crews.

In terms of an event – impressive. GRAND-AM runs a professional race and a superb media center. The members of SPEED were as always, a joy to work with. And I was absolutely blown away by the power of a brand, specifically Rolex. Before this race, I associated endurance racing with Tag Heuer and Steve McQueen. Not now. I get the romance and allure of a Rolex. When I watched the winning drivers receive their watches, it all made sense to me. Like IndyCar drivers chasing a taste of milk at the Indy 500, these drivers all chase one thing – a Rolex they’ll wear for the rest of life. It’s a brand, it’s a memory. Well done Rolex.

When I landed back in Indianapolis late Monday night, utterly exhausted, I tweeted that this had been on of the best weekends of my life. Sure I got grumpy during periods of the night. I was cold walking around at 3am. And I might have cursed when I realized I had to start our camera to get time lapse footage of the sunrise. But you know what? A 24 hour race is a challenge, a test, an endurance race and I made it.

We’re all chasing something in life. I’m still going.

Now I just need to get that Rolex.

Filed under: Motorsports by Daniel
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This time of year naturally prompts professional reflection and predictions. Over the holiday break, I’ll be putting the finishing touches on a 2012 Digital Strategy for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which will reference everything from content to email to social media to SMS to photography to sweepstakes to gaming to mobile, and so on. It will be vast, and vast is good. The company is ready to fully embrace digital in new ways.

The reflection part is what determines the next step forward. It guides the guidebook. Here’s what occurred digitally this year and it revolves around three themes – content, personality and relationships. These 3 simple, but often overlooked methods point to positive results, analytics and overall metrics.

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Filed under: Motorsports, Projects by Daniel
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Early last December I decided to write about my father and post it online. I wanted to do something unexpected for him and something very public. I wanted everyone to know that I loved him, admired him as a man, thought the world of his career, and that I still looked up to him.

I had no idea so many people would read those words, but I wasn’t surprised when everyone agreed.

Later that same month, over Christmas, Lea and I visited my parents with our son Oliver. The entire family was together, even my sisters Chantal and Stephanie made the trip. My father watched in awe, admiration and unwavering love as his Grandson ran around the house, sometimes tripping, but mostly grabbing things he shouldn’t.

I’d never seen him that proud. It was the last time we were all together, but those few days produced some unforgettable memories. I learned that he kept photos of Oliver with him at work. That he constantly bragged to anyone that would listen about how smart and special his Grandson was. He would say that Oliver had everything figured out. And according to my dad, Oliver would become an architect.

This year, whenever I spoke to my dad on the phone, I always pictured that same proud look he had at Christmas. And I smiled every time.

When we talked, he only cared about my world. My life, my job, how Lea was doing, and always, always what Ollie was up to. He thought my son was the greatest thing in the entire world. I don’t think I was too far off either. What a man.

My father was humble. Most people don’t know that he won Formula One Championships, wrote a book, spoke 3 languages, traveled the world, and worked tirelessly and selflessly to give his family everything. It’s just who he was.

He was also quiet, reserved, eccentric, brilliant, kind, generous and a big dreamer.

That was obvious from the outside looking in.

If you were ever fortunate to capture a moment with him – I mean really capture a moment, you were lucky to experience that firsthand.

You would have really witnessed his ambition.

You would have seen and heard his beautiful laugh.

And you would have realized there was no ulterior motive to his generosity. He simply cared.

Auto racing wasn’t a business to him. It was his life. And if you were ever in it, you would have been treated like family. I always get a smirk on my face walking down pit lane because I’ll notice someone that stayed at my parent’s house, or worked for my parent’s team, or got invited over to the house for dinner.

If you were lucky – you got pasta (which my mum made).

If you were unlucky, my dad was manning the BBQ. He had a 100% record in regards to the grill. He burnt every single item, every single time.

I spent a lot of this year reflecting on my dad’s life. I started scanning old photographs and doing more research. I think working in racing again caused me to reflect on life differently. As a photographer, it was impossible to walk through pit lane and not think of him. Growing up in this sport, I always respected mechanics and photographers the most. Of course my dad had the mechanic part covered, and of course, I have him to thank for getting me into photography – I’m glad we had both of those covered.

When I graduated college – he bought me a camera. That I’ll never forget.

Recently, he and I started a new project focusing on decades. I wanted to get his reflections on racing from the 70’, 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s. I wanted to know more about his life in Europe, Formula One, moving to the States, starting a team, qualifying at Indy and so on. But honestly, I wanted all of you to know. He was an incredible man and I wanted it public knowledge.

I emailed him some questions about the Seventies. And a couple of weeks later I got a response. In typical fashion for dad – he had answered with complete efficiency, but very to-the-point. No indulgence. No self-promotion. Just honesty. He was a technical man, after all. So I called him.

I explained that I needed elaboration, more details, and a story to tell. I said, “Dad, you worked with James Hunt, you changed an outside rear tire for Nelson Piquet, you went to Kyalami!” – I want to hear some stories!” And he laughed – I could tell he was thinking back to his days at McLaren or at Brabham or some race track, far, far away.

So he came up with an idea. Instead of writing things down, he would record his stories onto a voice recorder. I could listen and then craft his experiences into something. We would mail the device back and forth and slowly bring his memories alive. We had a deal. And I promised to nag him. He told me to call every day if I had to. It was the last time we spoke.

He died in his sleep October 3rd, peacefully.

He left behind 8 brothers and sisters.

A loving wife that devoted her life to him. Lesley was his best friend, his inspiration, his biggest fan. That will never change.

Two daughters – intelligent, caring and hilarious women. Chantal and my dad spent hours over the years discussing classical music. When Stephanie was little, she helped my dad build a deck – it was probably 2000 square feet. He would have done anything for them. And now he’ll get to watch as they do anything they set their minds to.

My wife who loved him dearly and never, ever complained about eating burnt food.

Friends from over the decades.

A career that will live forever.

And a Grandson that would have most definitely worshipped him like I do.

When I arrived in Las Vegas on October 4th to be with my Mum and sisters, I discovered (1) full, sixty minute tape – apparently I didn’t have to nag him. He had left one last conversation for me.

He would have been honored and overwhelmed by everyone here today.

He would have given a simple and exceedingly humble thank you.

And he would have wanted you to all take good care of Lesley.

Thank you for being here today.

Thank you for allowing me to talk about my Dad.

And thank you for being a part of his life, he made the most of it.

I love you Dad.

I’d eat the shit out of some of his BBQ right now.

Filed under: Dad, Motorsports by Daniel
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My father, Sal Incandela passed away on October 3.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Donald Davidson kindly wrote this piece on him. So did others, including Racer, SPEEDTV, AutoWeek, blogs and many more. It has meant the world to me and my family. The emails, texts, phone calls and every thought and prayer have been overwhelmingly touching. So a big thank you to everyone that has been there for all of us.

A thank you really doesn’t suffice – you’ve been wonderful.

There will be an Indianapolis Memorial for Sal on Saturday, November 5th from 3-5. It will be held at the Brickyard Crossing Golf and Conference Center: 4400 W. 16th st. Indianapolis In 46222. Click here for Google Maps. You’re invited.

Please join us in celebrating my Dad’s life, your friend’s life. And if anything, please stop by to give my Mum a hug. She loves a good hug.

There will be laughter, tears and lots of stories shared. I hope to hear some from you.

 11/2: Some more details since my original post -

• All are welcome
• Dress comfortably/respectfully, we don’t want this to be an overly formal affair
• Hunter Floyd will deliver the memorial service
• Donald Davidson will speak about my father’s career
• Members of the family will also speak
• We will encourage others to share their stories
• Lots of photos from my dad’s career and some embarrassing family pics
• Cash bar and some food
• Time to mingle

Filed under: Dad, Motorsports by Daniel
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The reason I’m in Japan is because of the race at Twin Ring Motegi, so I’d be in contempt if I didn’t at least mention it.

Growing up, some of my favorite drivers were Japanese. And when my parents owned a race team in the 1990′s, they had a couple of Japanese drivers race for them – Hideki Noda and Shigeaki Hattori – both of which won in Indy Lights. So let’s just say I’ve always had a soft spot for Japanese drivers.

Of course, it’s an honor to actually come here as a professional and experience this event first hand. My role for this race is part web support and part photographic support. And I’ve taken a good number of pics, including the one below. It’s quickly become a favorite of mine.

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Filed under: Japan, Motorsports by Daniel
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