As a kid growing up in Daytona Beach, Florida in the 1960's who was lucky enough to later pick up a camera and create a career photographing race cars, I had the unique experience of photographing many drivers who had been childhood heroes of mine. NASCAR legend Buddy Baker was one such driver.

In 2011, in an effort to keep more involved in the media day process, I decided to give myself a little extra self-assignment. I though it might be interesting to focus in on the drivers' eyes. After all, these were the eyes that would soon be gazing through sandblasted windshields as the sped around Daytona, looking for holes to shoot and opportunities to pass at 200 miles per hour.

Browsing through Brian Cleary’s archive feels like flipping through a living history book. Each image is a snapshot of a moment frozen in time, yet bursting with energy and context.

The story behind my photo of air Force One departing the 2004 Daytona 500 with President George Bush on board as race winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. passes by on the race track