Getting the Call

One of my favorite parts about being a freelance videographer is that you never really know what opportunity is going to come next.

A few weeks ago, I got a call asking if I was available to head to San Diego to help film NASCAR's inaugural Race the Base 250 at Naval Base Coronado. I occasionally work alongside Team Trackhouse as an editor, and they needed another camera operator for the weekend.

It didn't take long for me to say yes.

To make the opportunity even better, one of my favorite Formula 1 drivers, Kevin Magnussen, was making his NASCAR debut in a Trackhouse car. As a fan of both motorsports and filmmaking, this was one of those weekends you don't pass up.

Race Weekend Begins

Going into race weekend, there was a lot of excitement around the Trackhouse team. Shane van Gisbergen has built a reputation as one of the best road course drivers in the world, so a brand-new course felt like it could be the perfect fit for him.

Along with Shane, we were covering Connor Zilisch, Ross Chastain, and Kevin Magnussen throughout the weekend. It was also a huge event for Red Bull, who sponsored both Shane's and Connor's cars, so there was always something happening around the Trackhouse garage.

A Few Moments to Enjoy San Diego

Outside of work, I was reminded why I enjoy visiting San Diego so much. The weather is hard to beat, the beaches are beautiful, and the city has a laid-back feel that makes it easy to enjoy. Whenever we had a little downtime, I tried to spend as much of it by the water.

That being said, this definitely wasn't a vacation.

Most of our weekend was spent at the track, making sure we didn't miss a moment. Race weekends move fast, and as a videographer you're constantly thinking about what's happening now while also anticipating what might happen next.

Sunday Didn't Go the Way We Hoped

Saturday couldn't have gone much better.

Shane earned pole position for Sunday's race, putting himself in the best possible position to start the weekend. Connor also qualified inside the top ten, so everyone was excited heading into race day.

Unfortunately, racing doesn't always go according to plan.

Midway through the race, Shane was involved in a crash that ended his day. Connor was caught up in the incident as well, leaving both drivers unable to finish. After such a strong qualifying session, it definitely wasn't the outcome anyone on the team wanted.

Ross Chastain put together a solid race, and Kevin Magnussen had an impressive NASCAR debut. He even set the fastest lap of the race, which was incredible to see considering it was his first NASCAR start.

Looking Back on the Weekend

Even though the weekend didn't end with the results we were hoping for, I walked away incredibly grateful for the opportunity.

Getting to work alongside Team Trackhouse at such a unique event reminded me why I enjoy this industry so much. There's an energy around live motorsports that's hard to describe unless you've experienced it firsthand. Every lap matters, every shot is different, and every race tells its own story.

It had been over a year since I'd worked a NASCAR event, and this weekend reminded me just how much I missed it.

Traveling to San Diego, filming one of NASCAR's most unique events, and working alongside an incredible team made for a weekend I won't forget anytime soon.

If Team Trackhouse calls again, I'll be packing my bags without hesitation.