Street Racing - Photographers View
So in December 2025, I got wind of a street race happening in Memphis, TN. Dennis Bailey and Shaye Kelly were putting this together. It was supposed to be a BIG event. 65 cars and over 1500 spectators. Rivergate road, where I used to drag race as a teen is where this race was taking place. I knew I had to be a part of it. It was in deed a large event that ran flawlessly. I was hyped. This was my first drag racing event to ever cover. The guys loved my photos. They shared my page, commented on everything. Well fast forward to February 20-21, 2026. They are doing a Grudge on the Gate 2 on Rivergate Rd...... This one projected to be bigger than the 1st. Man they were not joking. 114 cars crossed the line Saturday night. The wind was fierce and the cold cut right through you. By 8pm we were so cold that we had layers of clothing on like it was Antarctica. Small tire, no prep street racing is Alive.... and Memphis, TN showed that to be true. Myself along with many others jumped at the opportunity to cover this event. Live feed to show the world what Memphis, TN was capable of doing with the right people behind it. There were people of all color and race at this event and not once, did anyone get out of line. There was no fussing, complaining or fighting. Everyone went with the flow that Dennis Bailey set out. 114 cars crossed the line...... 114!!
For a photographer from Memphis, TN this event meant something to me. It gave me a chance to show the beauty behind it. Not just what you see and hear on the news. You had locals, you had out of towners, you had big names and then there was the one who calls himself the nobody. At this event, there was no such thing as a nobody. Everyone was somebody. Whether you made it to the next round or not. You showed up, and you gave it your all. That's what matters. Everyone was willing to help each other. The way it should be. Yes there was a lot of money on the line.... but in another drivers time of need, that didn't seem to matter. Not all the cars where pristine... some of them were works of art and others primer gray. It didn't matter. For a few hours on that Saturday, the world outside of that street stood still. Photographers on both sides of the track capturing the moments of burn outs, stretching out, good passes, bad passes and the parade of cars on their way back from giving it their all. You hear me.... Their all!
The pictures taken over the weekend at this event, prove that we can all work together. We are all here to succeed.... There is nothing wrong with helping the next guy get there to. Through my lens I caught something beautiful, something that does not get spoken about much when the words Memphis, TN come up. I captured 114 teams, along with many spectators, all there for the same reason.... To show what they could do. To show off what they have put many sleepless nights in to, the blood, sweat and tears gone in to those engine builds, suspension, turbos, nitrous kits and etc.... And at the end of the night..... One driver stood there with tears in his eyes knowing he was the King of Memphis, TN and the Grudge on the Gate race that weekend. A complete feeling of euphoria. It was all worth it.
So if you ever get wind of an event that Dennis Bailey and Shaye Kelly are promoting.... don't hesitate.... make time for it. You won't regret it, I promise, because I sure don't.
~Kristy Whatley~
