mdr Don Griffith Memorial 250 - strapping In - Photo 9381619

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Strapping on five-point harnesses is an awkward task even when wearing street clothes and no helmet. For complete frustration, just add a racing suit, a neck roll, and a helmet. Steve Herrera clicked off this frame as Kevin leaned through the window to help fasten the elusive straps in place.

Nervous? Nope. An air-conditioned RV was the smartest place to wait for the race truck's arrival.

Strapping on five-point harnesses is an awkward task even when wearing street clothes and no helmet. For complete frustration, just add a racing suit, a neck roll, and a helmet. Steve Herrera clicked off this frame as Kevin leaned through the window to help fasten the elusive straps in place.

Still smiling after 50 miles though the desert. This bodes well for the future!

Towery's first lap had gone well, covering the 50-mile lap in just over 52 minutes. Forward progress came to a halt during Lap 2 when #818, along with several others, was caught midway up a sandy hill after another truck got stuck at the top. The traffic jam cost major time. Where Lap 1 took less than an hour, Lap 2 took over two and a half. With the truck safely back in the pits, the crew checked things over.

High-end trucks should come with high-end customer service. This one does. The C&D crew dove into the engine bay to change an expired alternator. Mechanic's gloves are vital for working around a hot engine.

Jay Arnold's Fabtech-backed Toyota took home Third in Class 1400/Pro Prerunner.

Collette traded the codriver's seat with Leif Homme on Lap 6. On Lap 7, my turn came. I've ridden in several race trucks by now and have experienced a wide spectrum from the smooth fury of a Trophy Truck to the utilitarian pounding of a Stock Full machine. Every truck feels a little different, and it takes a few miles to get acquainted.

Claiming First in Class 8 and Ninth overall, Towery Off-Road Racing celebrated for a few minutes and then started the road trip back to its Bakersfield, California, home base. Left to right: Ernie Viray, Kevin Webb (George Webb's son), Paul Diebel, Joey Diebel, Justin Hopfe, Leif Homme, Barry Hopfe, Matt Towery, Paco Hernandez, George Webb, Kevin Webb (George Webb's brother).

Corey Mendoza took his F-150 to the top of the 1450 food chain. Congrats!

A.J. Rodriguez: First in Class 7 and Seventh overall.

Battered, but not broken. Norman Turley claimed top honors in Class 7S.

Adam Householder's Chevy is a fullsize, full-on rocket ship. Look for a full feature soon.

GFO Racing calls its truck the "Grasshopper." The team could also call it "Pocket Rocket" or "Mini TT." The V8-powered long-travel Toyota took First in Class 1400 and Fifth overall.

Mike Jenkins and Robert Anderson shared driving duties in #1476. They finished Sixth in Class 1450 despite losing their front brakes.

A.J. Steeber overcame broken shock mounts and a lost wheel to take Seventh in Class 1450. A.J. shared driving duties with Tim Duncan of Duncan Metal Zone.

Codrivers are more than passengers: It's the codriver's job to keep tabs on the gauges, make sure the truck stays on course, and to be the first one through the window if there's a flat tire to change. "Do you need me to do anything?" I asked Matt. "Do you need me to call out the turns?" "I know the course well, so don't worry about that," he replied. "Just keep an eye on the engine temperature, and watch the rearview monitor to see if anyone's coming up behind us. Other than that, just sit back and enjoy the ride."

In the opening miles, I braced for the bumps, soon to realize that there was no need. The truck rhythmically soaked up small whoops and deep holes alike, delivering a confident, secure feeling. By this stage of the race the field had thinned, a few having finished, many having dropped out. We moseyed past Norman Turley's Class 7S Ranger in the lap's closing miles. Lap 7 was over too soon. I thoroughly enjoyed codriving, but the driver's seat is calling my name. Now more than ever, I've gotta finish building my Ranger (Project TrailRunner).