Chris Ulrich racing at Daytona in 2008. I learned this unusual photo angle from journeyman photographer Rich Chenet. (Larry Lawrence photo)

This is Chris Ulrich racing his Roadracing World Suzuki at Daytona in 2008. Ulrich has become one of my favorite riders over the years because of his workmanlike approach to racing. To me Ulrich is the racing equivalent of a blue collar worker who puts on the hardhat, takes his lunch pail and goes out and practices and perfects his craft everyday. Ulrich won two AMA Nationals during his career – Superstock finals at Laguna Seca and Mid-Ohio – so he obviously has talent, but I get the impression he won those races by way of pure work ethic more so than natural ability.

This particular photographic angle I learned and copied from journeyman racing photographer Rich Chenet, another workmanlike figure who makes art from sheer hard work. With Pittsburgh-area steel mills closing down in the ‘70s, Chenet took up a camera as a tool to try to make a living. Over the years Chenet has produced some of the most interesting motorsports photographs I’ve ever seen. Always experimenting and pushing the limits, Chenet was able to break the mold become a truly original photographer, something very difficult to accomplish.

Early in my career as a racing writer/photographer I intentionally shadowed Chenet during an event at Willow Springs, a track that has featureless desert backgrounds. Chenet took a shot of Yoshimura Suzuki rider Scott Gray that appeared on the cover of American Roadracing. It was shot very similarly to this photo of Ulrich. Chenet’s image almost completely eliminated the background, shot vertically with a tilted horizon. Major portions of the motorcycle weren’t even shown, which was rare in those days, instead Chenet emphasized the rider and the immediate cockpit area of the machine. It was an image that stuck in my mind over the years.

I’m proud to present this photo in homage to both Ulrich and Chenet – a pair of craftsman who have done their craft proud.