'Roof Top Ray' set for another Rolex 24 all-nighter

All night long during the running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona, a lonely cameraman brings stunning live images to racing fans worldwide from high atop the grandstands at Daytona International Speedway. That's "Roof Top Ray."

In real life, he's Ray Wenzel from Hartford, Conn., who covers major races and other sports events. He's worked with the production teams from TBS, ESPN and ESPN2 which covered the event through 2000, with SPEED Channel which began its coverage in 2001 and currently with FOX Sports, which carried the Rolex 24 for the first time in 2014.

When and how did you earn the name "Roof Top Ray"?

"Three years ago, Jeremy Shaw and John Hindhaugh and the guys from Radio Le Mans were doing their broadcast, and we were doing the internet feed. I think it was Frank Wilson (current Vice President of Production for FOX Sports) who put it all together. Basically, we got them a feed from our truck, so they would have something for them to talk about overnight.

"I was able to listen to their broadcast. Then Taylor Rollins and Chris Taylor – who were editor/producer types who were working overnight to get highlights together – started playing off the Radio Le Mans broadcast. They were kind enough to give me kudos here and there for the shots. I was shooting the brake rotors glowing, and the flames from the exhaust backfires as they go up onto the banking. The guys were helping me with lead changes, position changes and pit stops, and I would follow cars battling for position. There were no commercials, we were just shooting racing and having fun. Working with the Radio Le Mans commentary, I was up there having a blast. They were the guys who coined, 'Roof Top Ray.'"

What happened next?

"After that race, I started to realize how many people from all over the planet were watching. The Twitter posts were trending about the race. I didn't have a Twitter account and had no idea how big it was on the internet, until a week later when Frank Wilson forwarded a page from Autosport magazine and they had half a page talking about the overall TV coverage and mentioned 'Roof Top Ray.' At that point and after a lot of coaxing from my girlfriend (now wife) I got a Twitter account, @RooftopRay."

Does it get cold up there?

"Yes it does, but I dress accordingly. I've been a freelance camera operator for 25 years, doing racing in particular. I'm used to the conditions. I've also done stuff like the Great Outdoor Games, Winter X Games and other winter activities, so I've got some pretty good gear. I'm well aware of how it can be like in Florida where it can get down into the 40s and 30s."

How long have you been covering the Rolex 24 at Daytona?

"My first one was in 1997 or 1998, and I've done every one since. This will be my fourth year doing the overnight. For this year, they're moving my Camera 1 position, and I will be on scaffolding instead of the platform they used to have. My section was moved to section 386, which doesn't right a bell, so I know something's going to be different. It will be a similar shot where you can see the cars in the trioval and the pit stops, which is key for that camera.

Any favorite Daytona stories?

Of all my Rolex 24 memories, my favorite was probably the year SPEED did 25 hours of live coverage [in 2001]. We had two full crews, the Lingner Group produced it, and there were many great driver/year/car features to fill any slow time. They also used a lot of email interaction from people watching, even race parties that lasted all night. That feedback made me feel better – there really were fans doing crazier things than us making TV."

What are your favorite races?

"I'm a big fan of endurance racing, so the Rolex 24, Le Mans, certainly Sebring, but my favorite race is the Indy 500. I've done the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen 15 times over the past 20 years, and I love going there and staying at the Seneca Lodge. The only one I haven't worked yet is Le Mans. Most of the time I'm up so I don't get to interact with the fans. But at Sebring, where I usually work Camera 1, the fans behind me are a lot of fun. Every once in a while they pass a good burger or hot dog, because they know I get hungry. Also, Turn 10 is a lot of fun to work at Sebring (pictured, LAT photo), because it's a huge party right across the corner there."