My son and I went for the first time this year to the first day of speed week, the 12th of August. It was absolutely surreal! I was blown away by the whole experience... the vast open space, driving through a "puddle" just beyond where the pavement ends (more like driving into a lake 200+ yards across of unknown depth. Sure glad I was driving a rental), the people and the astounding variety of vehicles.
I think I may be hooked!
We ran into this guy at the last rest stop before hitting the salt:
We saw some great Rat rods:
And some interesting pit vehicles:
The only down side was that the wind picked up at about 11 am so they stopped all racing. I think it must have been a touch warmer when we were there compared to your group photo, When we got back in the rental to leave the thermometer was reading 102.
Now I have the itch to find out how fast my old 72 will really go!