April 3, 10:00 am - Fontana, CA - "The car is awesome," Rod Emory said after the morning's practice session. Both drivers knocked out consistent 1:46.1s, which should help them in the long run. Some teams have a strong driver and a not-so-strong one; they balance that out with time in car, the better driver typically getting more seat time. Emory Motorsports' strategy is a steady assault on the field, making the most of Rod & Chris' evenly matched driving skills.

Below: Jeff Gamroth gives Chris Ridgway a few quick action items before the morning's practice. The team did a hot pit stop with driver change.

Justin Phillips cleans the car. If you look good, you feel good.

Amy Emory casts an eye skyward.

Rod Emory looking philosphical after the morning's practice.

Tire temperatures are checked during every pit stop. A high temperature in one tire can tell the crew chief that an adjustment to camber (angle at which the tire meets the road surface) is necessary. Setting up the car for a track like the California Speedway is very different from other tracks which don't have a high-speed tri-oval section. Next page -->

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Looking for the green flag...

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Stories, photos, multimedia content by Chris Greenwood.