Thank you for the vote of confidence.
Trust me, it's deserved praise. I know what it takes to get these shots.
I think the other issue is I may not have release to sell the photos. I'd have to check, but I'm pretty sure the tracks and or ALMS/IMSA have ticket disclaimers that photos are for personal use only. Getting photo race credentials is not simple. I've been told that IMSA (the sanctioning body for the ALMS series) has been cracking down, and that you have to show you are shooting for some journal, etc. I think that's to keep the number down since there is a safety issue with too many photographers.
The only time I've shot motorsports inside the fence without credentials was turn one at Indy during quals back in the '80s. IMO, you should have a small portfolio printed out to take with you- here are the things that should work:
Get a team onboard. Every time I've shot trackside other than the once at Indy it as a photographer for a racer or race team. They handled getting my name on the list, I handled picking up the creds, signing the form, etc. You'll want to have insurance (hence the incorporation) and that's about it- they also can deal with the sanctioning body. Remember, even if you're shooting for one team, the creds and forms should cover any shot you get- so just give the team some good shots and the rest are yours. Start with "Hey, who's your team photographer?"
Get the track onboard. If you have time, get hold of the track's PR person, and see if you can get in that way- the portfolio will help, and if they can't or won't issue creds, they may give you ideas for who will.
Get the governing body onboard. Best because then you'll be credentialled for any of their events. If you can do a fair volume of sales to fans and teams, giving them shots is actually not a bad strategy- but hold that in your back pocket- and only dangle it if it's necessary.
Go to a publication and get them to take you on as a stringer, and in exchange for an assignment letter and them arranging creds, offer them shots at their normal rates. Have the portfolio on line, but send them a CD and a letter- go for a pub that has small coverage and doesn't normally have pictures and your chances of success are greater.
If you have a hometown paper with a sports section, it might be worth a try, but a car magazine would be better- and if the sanctioning body has one, then go there first- with your best shots- if you can write, then do an article or two as well, but either way you've got a better shot than most.
If you can get the hometown paper for a team or driver who's in the hunt, that might be an easy sell- but I'd do that last, and make sure your agreement with whomever has you licensing them the images and retaining the rights.
You've got the skills, you've got the portfolio- there's no reason you shouldn't be getting paid to show up at the races instead of paying to show up and get in. Insurance is about $500/yr, incorporating is about $300 in most states- just writing off the millage on a 1000 mile trip twice a year would ROI the whole shebang.
Print out a few pictures, find an official at the next race you attend- offer them a couple of prints and ask them if they can point you at the right folks- be open, and you might hit gold right off the bat.
Get off the pot, the market will let you know if your images are good enough- and they are. I've seen folks sell much worse- especially at an event where you get the emotional sale- but do that after you've got some income and can afford to be a vendor.
I'll take a D3 for Christmas once you're all successful, thanks!
[addendum]
I count 20 salable shots in this thread, at least half of them are top-of-the-line. You could do well with advertising stock and any of the manufacturers/teams. I'd be surprised if you couldn't get at least two teams represented here to try to credential you. That Lowes shot with the missing back tire has really interesting sponsor connotations too...
