Here's a gallery of photos from the Southwick AMA National practice sessions courtesy of Steve Cox.
There's quite a crowd on hand for this year's event. Cox
Sebastien Tortelli (left) talks with Erin Bates about training Blake Wharton. Cox
Kyle Chisholm was second-fastest in 450cc qualifying behind Ben Townley. Cox
Ryan Dungey was fourth-fastest, with Jeremy Medaglia coming in third from the unseeded practice session. Cox
Brett Metcalfe was fifth-fastest. Fellow Honda rider Andrew Short failed to qualify on time after a mechanical in the first session, so he got in on a top-10 provisional, bumping Michael Hacia, who qualified 40th. Cox
John Dowd was only 23rd in practice, but it 1.5 seconds out of 10th. Cox
Jake Pinhancos, in the Team USA garb, was the 65cc racer on Team USA's FIM Junior Motocross World Championship team, which won gold a few days ago. Cox
Big B throws a new shock in Trey Canard's bike after first practice. Canard was 10th fastest. Cox
Gareth Swanepoel's bike being washed by mechanic Eric Gass. Cox
Chris Pourcel was fastest in 250cc qualifying. Cox
Tyla Rattray was second. Cox
Dean Wilson completed the PC sweep with third in practice. Cox
Eli Tomac getting stretched out by his dad, John. Tomac was strong in practice, posting the fifth-fastest time. Cox
Blake Wharton was seventh-fastest. Cox
Justin Barcia, who won the overall here last year, was eighth-fastest. Cox
South Africa's Gareth Swanepoel is filling in on the DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing Yamaha team. Cox
Trey Canard: "What do you know about motocross, old man?" Cox
Kawasaki has confirmed they're trying to work out a deal with Billy Mackenzie to race the last two nationals. Cox
Josh Grant (33) crashed in first practice and injured his shoulder. He's out for the day and maybe longer, pending an MRI this week. Cox