last sat at the speedway in jamestown

I don't see anything wrong with the detail of these images. They are all amazing. I don't know how you or anyone can freeze something going so fast. Takes a special talent and a steady hand rotating that camera/monopod. Good going!!            

 

Heck yes, turn your VR on!

Why on earth would you not want it on? They look pretty darn good to me, although I didn't go over them with a fine tooth comb. Probably just need to work on your panning technique.

 

I would target a shutter speed of 1/500 and have VR turned on in normal mode. Your shots do give the feeling of speed as they are and the faster shutter (if light allows) and the vr on will help with the issues that you are not happy with.

 

The guy to ask is Joe Lorenzini, his racing shots are fabulous

 

Yes he is, look at his post "fender bender-nascar style" in this same section.

 

hi phat-

for a panned subject to be in perfect focus, it has to be moving parallel to the film (or sensor) plane. that doesn't happen most of the time, so you'll end up with parts of the subject out of focus.

try using slower shutter speeds to get the background even more blurred. keep VR on in normal mode. active mode will try to cancel out the motion from panning.

panning is an art that i have yet to master, so take all my advice with a grain of salt  

ricky