Senior Portraits Grady the sprint car racer

JDP senior Grady is a mini sprint car racer with his eyes on the prize. He's been racing since 2021 and this year he started racing sprints. His fascination with racing started with go carts and he's never looked back!

Ironically enough, it was seeing an awful crash but how the driver emerged unscathed, that initially pulled Grady and his dad into this sport. Today, Grady's got a crew chief, Alex, who is helping him to pave this path towards racing success.

Click here for more about your own custom portraits.

The throttle control Grady learned driving a legend car gave him the confidence to jump up to microsprints he currently races. His personal goal is to be in 358 sprint cars in the next 4-5 years. Then his next step up is to race 410's. He is committed to growing himself as a racer. Grady has won 5 heat races recently and has come in 2nd place, on 3 separate occasions. He also won QuickTime during Hyper Racing Speedweek at Linda's Speedway!

Click here for more about your own custom portraits.

When it's time for Grady to step up to racing the 358 cars, sponsorship will play an important role. He currently has some sponsorship and is looking to expand. This January Grady will be racing in Tulsa and is hoping to compete well. When he's racing, Grady feels freedom from the mess of this world and that keeps him coming back. His goal is to always be racing throughout his lifetime.

Click here for more about your own custom portraits.

Grady's racing circuit is mostly in 2.5 hour radius around his home. However, North Carolina is the home of racing. This year ahead Grady has trips planned to Florida and North Carolina to compete. Current race weekends he competes in have a potential of up to 16k prices for a weekend. National sprint car racing his ultimate goal.

Click here for more about your own custom portraits.

Grady's practice takes place not on a dirt track, but in a simulator. Apparently it is approximately 73% close to being the real deal experience. When Grady's not racing, he's working on his family farm or in his family business selling farm equipment.

Grady is a farm boy through and through. I kept getting Yellowstone vibes as we were creating for him! His livestock trailer was decorated with all his awards showing livestock. Farming is a family affair. His little brother Sawyer raced around watching his session, pulling errant weeds out the scene that he deemed a distraction. I remembered how a few years ago, he kicked up dirt to create atmosphere for us to while creating for his sister Audrey's senior session. Family bonds created on the farm...these are memories Grady will smile over when he's old and gray in his rocking chair.

Click here for more about your own custom portraits.

Just 2 hours before our session was to start, Grady had an accident on the farm that resulted in a busted lip. Despite his protests, his mama insisted a trip to the Urgent Care was needed. Her motherly instincts were confirmed when the doc placed a host of stitches in his lip. Grady is one tough kid and was game to roll right into his portrait time!

Grady goes on record for our longest scene at a JDP senior session! A 30' live stock trailer, a sprint car and a truck were in this line up on his farm! And we created the scene at night! This record couldn't have gone to harder working, eyes on the prize, awesome young man with a smile that melts hearts! We wish you all the best in your race endeavors Grady and are cheering you on!

Click here for more about your own custom portraits.

2 Comments

Nov 14, 2025, 10:08:22 AM

Jennifer DiDio - Aww, thank you, Robyn, for your kind words! Grady brought a lot of energy and ideas to this shoot - it was a joy!

Nov 11, 2025, 7:17:52 PM

Robyn McGrew - This Grandma is crying over here! Jennifer you are a master at your craft. Thank you for capturing this amazing boy's passions so beautifully

Previous Post Next Post

Senior Portraits Grady the sprint car racer

Leave a comment

Archive