Gateway Dirt Nationals

December 4–6, 2025

The Gateway Dirt Nationals was a weekend I won’t forget. I flew out of Williston early Thursday morning with Cory, Jake, and Ryah, arriving in St. Louis after a short stop in Minneapolis. After checking into the hotel across from The Dome and picking up my credentials, it was time to get to work.

The atmosphere inside The Dome was unreal. Indoor Late Model racing brings a completely different level of noise, energy, and intensity, and the weekend delivered from start to finish. It also tested me more than expected, with lens issues, laptop problems, and even an Error 20 on my Canon R5 during driver introductions on Saturday night. Thankfully, the backup R6 kept me going, and I was able to finish the weekend by capturing Bobby Pierce’s win.

Despite the challenges, Gateway was an incredible experience and another opportunity to photograph some of the best drivers and racing in the country. I learned a lot, came home with images I’m proud of, and already have plenty I want to improve on next time.

Thank You

A huge thank you to my parents for making opportunities like this possible. Hopefully we can get the 14T and 27X under The Dome in 2026.

Thank you to Cory, Jake, and Ryah for the travels and the memories, Cody and Emma for the opportunity to cover the event, and Lucas Oil Products for credentialing me for both Late Model events I covered in 2025.

Most importantly, thank you to everyone who continues to support my work. The messages, kind words, shares, and orders mean more than you know. I hope you enjoy the photos.

Gear Used

  • Canon R5 — Primary Body
  • Canon R6 — Backup Body
  • Canon RF 70–200mm f/2.8
  • Canon RF 24–70mm f/2.8
  • Canon EF 50mm f/1.2


Large illuminated text reading #DIRT IN DECEMBER against a dark background with Christmas tree silhouette.
A race car driver celebrates victory with arms raised and helmet held high at the race track under dramatic skies.
A sequence showing a performer doing an acrobatic backflip stunt in a plaid shirt on stage.
Large crowd of people gathered in a brightly lit indoor venue with illuminated signs on walls.
Racing pit crew members perform tire changes and maintenance on race cars in a NASCAR pit lane.
Racing track barriers and sponsor logos visible at a motorsports venue under lighting.
Dirt track race cars speed around a banked oval turn during a nighttime racing event.
Sports fans celebrate on a field with team members in black uniforms during an exciting moment.
A black and white NASCAR race car with the number 43 speeds past with motion blur on a track.
Race cars slide through a dirt track turn during a competitive stock car racing event on a muddy oval course.
Late model dirt track race cars lined up in formation on a clay racing surface during a motorsports event.
Two race car drivers pose with trophies and sponsor banners at a dirt track racing victory celebration.
Black and red modified dirt track race car speeds around corner on clay oval track with sponsor banners in background.
Race cars speed around a dirt track during a competitive stock car racing event at night under bright lights.
NASCAR race cars speed around an oval track during a competitive night race under bright stadium lights.