Friendship, First Cars, and 24 Hours of Lemons: A Weekend We Won't Forget

Some stories aren't really about the race.

They're about the people who have been showing up for each other long before the green flag ever dropped.

This past weekend, we traveled to Garrettsville, Ohio, where the legendary 24 Hours of Lemons brought together drivers, mechanics, families, and friends for one of the most entertaining endurance races in motorsports. Built around inexpensive cars, creativity, and a healthy sense of humor, the event is proof that racing doesn't have to be serious to be seriously memorable. Teams spend months preparing cars, designing ridiculous themes, and working together to survive an entire weekend on track.

For us, this assignment was different.

We weren't hired by the race organizers.

We were hired by Lucas's wife.

Her vision wasn't simply to document a race—it was to preserve a chapter in her husband's life.

Lucas and his longtime friends have raced together for years, building not just cars but traditions. This year carried even more meaning because the car they entered wasn't just another project. It was Lucas's very first car—the one that started it all. Seeing it back on track, surrounded by the same group of friends who have shared countless late nights in garages, road trips, breakdowns, victories, and inside jokes, made this race about so much more than lap times.

As photographers, those are the moments we chase.

The pride of watching a first car get a second life.

Anyone can photograph a race car flying through a corner. The Why.. Is what we are after.

We believe photographs become priceless when they remind us who we were, who stood beside us, and what we built together. Years from now, these images won't simply bring back memories of the 24 Hours of Lemons. They'll remind Lucas, his friends, and his family of a friendship that has stood the test of time.

While Lucas and his team were our primary focus, we couldn't resist photographing many of the incredible cars, teams, and unforgettable moments happening throughout the weekend. If you were racing at the event, there's a good chance we captured your car too!

If you'd like to see whether your team made it into our galleries, simply fill out our contact form and we'll send you a link to browse the images:

Request Your 24 Hours of Lemons Gallery

Thank you to Lucas's wife for trusting North Glow Photography with something so personal.

It was an honor.

I love those Posts women post with their husbands’ smiles in portraits with them vs. with their fish….. In this case their CAR. (WHY IS THE SMILE WAY BIGGER GUYS?)

Whether it's a race team, a family tradition, or a once-in-a-lifetime event, we're passionate about preserving the stories that matter most—because sometimes the greatest memories aren't found on the podium, they're found in the friendships that got you there.

What’s your thing? That makes your face & energy do this….

northglowphotography@gmail.com

A little bit about this race: This whole brand is amazing. We loved every little interesting detail. We walked away inspired, yet again. (Thank you universe for consistently showing us allll the things; it is never-ending how creative people are).

This is Race Cars on a budget.

You can visit their WTF link

There was also a story on my favorite show: Sunday Mornings