During Monterey Car Week, Laguna Seca becomes more than a racetrack. The paddock fills with historic race cars, mechanics, drivers and decades of motorsport history brought back to life. I spent the day moving between the garages, staging areas and track, documenting the machines—and the people who keep them racing.

INSIDE THE PADDOCK

Where the racing really begins.

Away from the grandstands, the paddock offers a different perspective.

Cars sit with bodywork removed. Engines are inspected between sessions. Mechanics make last-minute adjustments while drivers prepare nearby.

For a photographer, this is where many of the details that define motorsport can be found—the machinery, tools, liveries and people behind the cars.

FROM PADDOCK TO TRACK

Engines fire.

Cars roll out of garages. Drivers pull on helmets and crews make their final checks. The atmosphere changes quickly when another session approaches—and machines that were sitting quietly only minutes earlier begin heading toward pit lane.

MONTEREY CAR WEEK 2026

One day at Laguna Seca became one part of a much larger week of automotive culture around Monterey. From historic racing machinery at the track to European icons gathered at Legends of the Autobahn, Monterey Car Week offered two very different perspectives on the cars, people and culture that continue to make this part of California such a special destination for automotive enthusiasts. Photography by Camera & Pen Automotive Photography • Events • Dealership Content • Private Shoots

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