When IndyCar racing came to the heart of Washington, AP’s photo team turned an unusual sporting event into a striking visual showcase, capturing high-speed racing against the backdrop of some of the nation’s most recognizable landmarks.
Race organizers waited until the 11th hour to finalize details, but AP staff didn’t wait. They had already strategically positioned photographers in perches that would offer distinctive angles — an approach the photo staffers call “future-casting,” or predicting the unpredictable.
The result was a fast, visually distinctive report that captured the racing, the extraordinary setting and the crowds who gathered to watch. One unique image from Manny Ceneta showed Air Force One and fighter jets flying over the National Mall, as seen from the Washington Monument.
The team’s smart planning and strong coordination allowed AP to capture a singular moment in the nation’s capital with memorable visual journalism.
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