Veterans in INDYCAR: Tim Holle

Throughout the 2023 INDYCAR season we’re highlighting veterans who work within the racing series, whether for Chip Ganassi Racing, INDYCAR, racing venues or other racing teams.

This week we’re highlighting Tim Holle, who is a staff photographer for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). Holle served in the U.S. Navy from 1988-1992 as a combat photographer on the missile cruiser U.S. Mobile Bay. He began shooting photos for IMS in 1995; his assignments include racing events and concerts, as well as providing imagery for marketing and social media.  

Holle spoke with American Legion Social Media Manager Steven B. Brooks about how he became interested in photography, his time in the Navy, shooting auto racing and how it feels to see IMS and INDYCAR honor and support veterans.  

Steven Brooks: How did you become interested in photography?

Tim Holle: I picked up my first camera when I was 9 or 10 years old and just started taking photos. When I picked up that camera, I was so intrigued about how it worked and how you get a piece of film and you get a picture out of it. I learned everything I needed to learn. By 13 I did my first wedding, and then I started doing engagement photos for people I kind of knew and didn’t know. I realized I could make some money, so I turned professional when I turned 17. I worked at a photography studio … doing weddings, helping around the studio, doing portraits and learning from my boss how to run a studio. I stopped doing that when I was 21 and joined the military. That’s when I knew I wanted to be a photographer in the Navy.

Question: What type of photos did you take while in the Navy?

Holle: I took pictures of Russian subs, anything Russian, communist, North Korean ships, anything like that. Every once in a while you’d get to go up in a helicopter and take photos from there, which was really cool. Iranian gunships when we were going through the straits in Oman. You’d had to be on call and taking pictures of the Iranian ships because you never knew what they were going to do. They liked to get real close to the U.S. ships going through the straits out there. I also did a lot of reenlistment ceremonies and took pictures of dignitaries when they came on board.

Question: When did you pick up an interest in taking photos of auto racing – specifically at IMS?

Holle: When I was a senior in high school, I was watching the Indy 500 in 1986, but I had a heat lamp on me, trying to catch a little suntan because it was cold and rainy back in Belleville, Ill. I always wanted to be out at Indy. And I ended up burning my eyes, my corneas, and so I was blind for about a month. I always dreamed of being a photographer out there, and it's kind of ironic I’ve been out there for so many years. I had it my mind then that that’s what I always wanted to do – be a photographer at the Indy 500.

Question: So how did that come about?

Holle: When I met my wife-to-be, her brother was a photographer out at the Speedway, and my father-in-law was a photographer out at the Speedway. And he said, “I can get you an interview out there.” So, I took some pictures of some racecars, and they weren’t very good, because I had never done that kind of photography before. So, I took my portfolio out there and met with Ron McQueeney, who was in charge of photography. I showed him my résumé, and when I gave him my portfolio, he looked at it real quick, laid it down and said, “Thanks for coming out.” And I was like, “Oh boy, I’m not getting this job. This is above my pay grade.” The first race I went to was the inaugural Brickyard 400, and I sat in Turn 1. I took some photos and got some pretty decent photos. And I got some good ones. And about a month before the Indy race, Ron McQueeney calls me and said, “We had somebody quit. If you’re interested, the job is yours. You have a credential.” And I was like, “OK, I’m going to be there.” And I’ve been there ever since.

Question: What’s it’s been like being able to chronicle in pictures the INDYCAR SERIES and other racing series on what is considered to be the most hallowed racing venue in the world?

Holle: To me, it’s an honor. It’s a privilege to be a part of all of this. I thank my father-in-law and my brother-in-law for helping me get to where I am today – especially my father-in-law, who passed this past year. Being a part of this, and seeing how fast these cars are, and seeing the changes in the cars … and now they’re bringing in the best drivers in the whole world. It’s mind-blowing to me that these guys can run these cars so fast, be neck in neck. And now there’s the road course out there. It’s really cool and amazing.

Question: As a veteran, what’s it like for you to see a veterans organization, The American Legion, promoting its Be the One message through Chip Ganassi Racing, see INDYCAR take on The American Legion as an official charity, and see this message amplified that we’ve got to stem the tide of veteran suicides?

Holle: I’m very humbled that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, that INDYCAR, that the teams and their drivers respect what I’ve been through and respect the everyday guy who served in the military. They really support us a lot. It’s really neat to see the camaraderie of the whole entire Speedway. And then they bring in the helicopters and everything like that for (Indy 500) Carb Day and the enlistment ceremony. It makes you feel proud that there’s a professional event out there that really pays attention to and gives back to the veterans. And for what The American Legion does out there, you guys do a lot, and it’s really nice to see.