Grand American Rolex

Leading the way in the No. 01 TELMEX Lexus Riley was Memo Rojas, who will start from third on the grid thanks to a best qualifying lap at 1:20.270 (100.371 mph).

"It's not bad," said Rojas of his starting position. "It's good for Laguna, because you're on the inside. The way this track works, if you're on the outside of Turn 1, it can get messy. We still need to work on the car. It's good but it can be better, so we have several thoughts about what's going on. I look forward for another race. We've been doing well so far. We need to focus on the championship, on the points now. We need to finish every race. We need to keep that in mind and go from there."

Rojas and co-driver Scott Pruett share the Rolex Series points lead in the Daytona Prototype class and head into Saturday's race looking for their second consecutive race victory and fourth in five races this season. The TELMEX Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates teammates finished second in the only other race of the 2008 campaign. For his part, Rojas is cautiously optimistic about the team's chances in the race.

"Track position is very important here, because it's difficult to pass, so we have to be smart with the strategy," Rojas explained. "I'm not sure if there's going to be a lot of overtaking on the track. Maybe there will be with the GT cars, because they create scenarios and slow down to where you can pass and go for an opportunity, but it's not going to be easy. I think strategy and drivers staying out of trouble are going to be the key."

Posting the ninth-quickest time in the 15-minute qualifying session was Shane Lewis in the No. 3 Southard Motorsports Lexus Riley. Lewis - who is co-driving with Bill Lester-logged a best lap at 1:21.595 (98.741 mph).

"Qualifying actually went exceptionally well for us," Lewis said. "It's the quickest we've run all weekend and that's not really specific to qualifying, but we just keep really working at the car. Obviously, I love Laguna Seca and this is a real driver's track. You say it's a driver's track, but if you don't have car underneath you, that's not going to work.

"Right now, Lester and I are working on being the best drivers we can and making sure we've got the best car we can. It's unexpected weather. It's really hot here. I've been here several times and never had this kind of heat. I kind of like it that way, but it makes the chassis setup a little bit different."

Air temperatures in the late afternoon qualifying session were still in the 90s, with track temperatures well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Weather reports for Saturday's race indicate slightly cooler temperatures for Saturday's race, which takes the green flag at 1:45 p.m. PT.