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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/10/708-5AOAO.St.156.jpeg|419Christmas Abbott, 30, awakens to the morning light in her hotel room in Pensacola, FL. It is day 1 of her new career as a professional front tire changer in auto racing. From the time she gets up to the moment she's changing in her first pit, she's going through the motions in her mind.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/09/539-IiFDy.St.156.jpeg|427Abbott readies herself in her hotel room at 7am the morning of her first race.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/09/890-c04as.St.156.jpeg|420Abbott readies herself in her hotel room at 7am the morning of her first race.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/09/899-1owosY.St.156.jpeg|418Abbott, center hangs out with members of her crew like Jason Adams, right, and her pit crew coach Shaun Peet, left, before heading into the race. Her team had to wait for an hour at the check in because their names weren't on the track list. "Welcome to racing," said another teammate Matt Holzbaur. Peet was crewing for a different team, but still found time to give her words of encouragement throughout the afternoon.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/10/661-1qCg3Q.St.156.jpeg|525Christmas Abbott's stepbrother Daniel Nichols makes a connection before the race starts. He was also celebrating his birthday at the race, after making the 9 hour drive from Texas with his dad Jon and Abbott's mom, Barbara.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/09/797-EcVtI.St.156.jpeg|446Taking time to inspect her team's car and others, Abbott walks through the field prior to the race.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/10/815-1niVxJ.St.156.jpeg|413In a sea of tires, Abbott carefully prepares tires hours before her first race.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/08/59-r1mpc.St.156.jpeg|420Abbott paints her lug nuts yellow, making them easier to see during pit stops during a race.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/09/216-BrfcS.St.156.jpeg|525Front tire changer Tim Morrison, left, jokes with Christmas Abbott during the race.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/10/571-NorUt.St.156.jpeg|441Abbott prepares her tires for the Snowball Derby in Pensacola, FL on December 2, 2012. It was her first experience working with a pit crew during a race.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/08/358-1697vA.St.156.jpeg|425Christmas Abbott's family and friends, from left, mother Barbara Nichols, pit coach Shaun Peet, stepfather Jon Nichols and stepbrother Daniel Nichols take a minute to catch up with one another.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/09/753-7Khu1.St.156.jpeg|525Driver Chris Davidson, right, checks out Abbott on his way to driver introductions just prior to the race, as she prepares her air gun.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/10/546-1l3mTc.St.156.jpeg|460Abbott gives one last inspection of each of her tires before the start of her first race. Because the tires are prepared prior to her workouts in North Carolina, this was the first time that she has the opportunity to clean, paint and glue her own rims.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/09/393-10ahqZ.St.156.jpeg|525Nick Krizmanich, left, helps Christmas Abbott , right, with her ear pieces for the team radio prior to the race.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/09/369-oKboy.St.156.jpeg|406Rear tire changer Nick Krizmanich, center helps Christmas Abbott , left, with her ear pieces for the team radio prior to the race with rear tire carrier Matt Holzbaur.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/10/523-1jZKdo.St.156.jpeg|525Abbott take a moment to herself just before the flag is dropped at the start of the 45th Snowball Derby. After 4 months of intensive training, she is debuting at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, FL.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/09/576-A4LV.St.156.jpeg|423Coming together prior to the race for the National Anthem, crew members for Chris Davidson's team (from left) Jason "Sheriff" Adams, Nick Krizmanich, Matt Holzbaur, Christmas Abbott, and Tim Morrison, are ready for the for the 45th Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, FL.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/10/732-1gGNKu.St.156.jpeg|351Christmas Abbott's team driver Chris Davidson was able to move from 28th to 9th place in the 45th Snowball Derby.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/09/726-1pdH64.St.156.jpeg|400Christmas Abbott watches the action on the track.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/10/858-1k3mel.St.156.jpeg|418Abbott reacts to a near miss accident for her driver at Five Flags Speedway.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/10/773-QqPrk.St.156.jpeg|394The field of 37 cars keep the infield and the stands on their toes during the 4th annual Snowball Derby in Pensacola, FL on December 2, 2012.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/09/805-12UXq0.St.156.jpeg|525Christmas Abbott, left, stands ready with her tire carrier Tim Morrison, right, as she readies herself for her first pit crew experience in a race on December 2, 2012. She has been training the past 4 months as a front tire changer. Her goal is to pit at the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series level.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/08/89-11J3hJ.St.156.jpeg|342Christmas Abbott, 30, sprints around the front end of a moving race car to start removing the front end tires. After four months of intensive training, this is her first race. "The nerves came at the last moment," she says. "I had to trust that my practice had sunk in."
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/09/987-J4jqp.St.156.jpeg|426After their driver pulls out the the pit box, Christmas Abbott, 30, center, is congratulated after a successful tire change. After moving from Raleigh to Cornelius, N.C. 4 months ago, she has been training for this moment: her first pit stop in a race. It's just the beginning for Abbott who want to become the first woman to pit in a Nationwide or Sprint Cup race.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/09/363-1l9EYw.St.156.jpeg|525Relieved that her first change is over, "Well. It's good to have that behind me," Abbott says with a smile. "The nerves came at the last moment. I had to trust that all my practice had sunk in. It was a bit terrifying and exhilarating all at the same time."
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/10/131-TeOsM.St.156.jpeg|424Sharing a laugh and congratulations, front tire carrier Tim Morrison, left, and jackman Jason "Sheriff" Adams, right, were both supportive of Abbott, center, after her first professional pit stop. "I think she did better today than at our practices," he said. "She was extra focused," says Morrison. "She didn't seem nervous or scared. In this job, you don't have time to be scared."
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/08/103-cEKg2.St.156.jpeg|369On her third and final pit of the day, Christmas Abbott and front tire carrier Tim Morrison, right, sprint in front of the moving 41 car, driven by Chris Davidson. She knows that she has a lot more work ahead of her and a lot more learning, but it feels good to have her first race in the books. "Our guy went from 28th place to 9th. That's pretty incredible," she said. "I'm proud. My first race he was a top 10 finisher."
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/09/799-154PFC.St.156.jpeg|525Barbara Nichols takes photos of her daughter Christmas Abbott with a cell phone during the race. Along with Christmas' stepfather Jon, and stepbrother Daniel Nichols, Barbara Nichols made the 9 hour drive from Houston, Texas to watch her daughter's first race.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/09/990-1lHmA9.St.156.jpeg|400Abbott stays focused and ready for her first pit stop.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/09/361-8VDl8.St.156.jpeg|452Just one of the guys, Christmas Abbott, center, waits with other crew and team members, like rear tire carrier Matt Holzbaur, left, and jackman Jason "Sheriff" Adams, right, for their next pit stop. Prior to her first race Adams gave her advice, "you've got to be stubborn. You've got to be told 'no' a dozen times and still want to come back."
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/10/717-14fSHz.St.156.jpeg|452Engrossed in the race, rear tire changer Nick Krizmanich, left, Christmas Abbott and rear tire carrier Matt Holzbaur, right, wait for their first pit stop.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/09/389-123gvD.St.156.jpeg|525Abbott, center, quickly moves around the front end of the race car to change her second tire with carrier Tim Morrison, left, and jackman Jason Adams.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/09/168-15hRho.St.156.jpeg|462Almost halfway through the race, the racing stops after an accident. Abbotts mother, Barbara Nichols, who had driven 9 hours from Texas to see her daughter's first race, takes a moment to pass her a pink lip gloss....
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/10/606-Td93A.St.156.jpeg|412.... Called "Life on the A List" Nichols told her daughter, "I thought that you might like to have this." Abbott burst out laughing, "Too perfect."
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/10/356-1l4Cmt.St.156.jpeg|477Front tire carrier Tim Morrison, left, touches base front tire changer Christmas Abbott after their third and final pit stop. Abbott lost the spring from her air gun on both her second and third stops, but had to muscle through. Morrison has been carrying for Abbott for the past 2 months during practices in order to improve their timing and rhythm together.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/08/494-V2Gsj.St.156.jpeg|444Crew members rear tire carrier Matt Holzbaur, left, front tire changer Christmas Abbott and jackman Jason "Sheriff" Adams, right, anxiously watch to see if their driver, Chris Davidson, is able to avoid a wreck on the track during the 45th Snowball Derby in Pensacola, FL. Pitting in her first race, she says that she was really happy to help her driver get a top 10 finish. After starting in 28th position, he finished 9th.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/09/572-Bartf.St.156.jpeg|270During her second of three full pit stops, Abbott, center, works with other members of the pit crew on Chris Davidson's car during the 45th Snowball Derby in Pensacola, FL.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/09/989-wSD2a.St.156.jpeg|458Abbott, center, quickly moves around the front end of the race car to change her second tire with carrier Tim Morrison, left, and jackman Jason Adams.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/08/558-b0l65.St.156.jpeg|403Armed with an iPhone and flip flops, Christmas Abbott's mother Barbara Nichols ventures into pit row during a stop. Rubber flew and the engine roared as the driver Abbott was pitting for nearly hit her mother. "Well, I got the shot didn't I!" Nichols proudly exclaimed afterwards.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/09/913-7dRmS.St.156.jpeg|440Crew members for Chris Davidson's team (from left) front tire changer Christmas Abbott, rear tire changer Nick Krizmanich, rear tire carrier Matt Holzbaur, and jackman Jason "Sheriff" Adams, watch the race at the 45th Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, FL.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/10/105-12wni8.St.156.jpeg|416Team mate Tim Morrison, her front tire carrier, congratulates Christmas Abbott at the end of her first outing as a front tire changer. He has worked with her in practice for the past 2 months and have developed a good rhythm together. "I think she did better today than at our practices," he said. "She was extra focused. She didn't seem nervous or scared. In this job, you don't have time to be scared."
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/09/742-LSAgC.St.156.jpeg|425Shaun Peet, center, greets Christmas Abbott after the race. He has been coaching her to become a front tire changer since she moved from Raleigh to Charlotte four months ago.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/09/242-90kt7.St.156.jpeg|525Christmas Abbott gets a congratulatory hug from her pit coach Shaun Peet after her first race. Although he was the jackman on another car during the race but made sure to check in with her before the race.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/08/641-4hJmL.St.156.jpeg|421
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/09/372-DJO6J.St.156.jpeg|428Christmas Abbott, center, hangs out with other crew members, jackman Jason "Sheriff" Adams, left, rear tire changer Nick Krizmanich, front tire carrier Tim Morrison, and rear tire carrier Matt Holzbaur after the race while waiting to receive their checks. It was her first paycheck as a front tire changer.
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/09/533-R3O1W.St.156.jpeg|429Already big fans of Christmas Abbott, (from left) Haley Davidson, 11, was her younger sister Mackenzie Davidson, 9, Kara Eddlemon, 13, and her younger sister Kyndall, 11, congratulate her after the race and ask to have their photo taken with her. Haley expressed an interest in going into racing to Abbott, but she said that her dad thought it was too dangerous. Perhaps setting her up for an argument with her father, Abbott replied, "Whatever you do in life is going to be dangerous. Your ability to minimize the risk of danger is to practice and understand what the risk is."
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/12/15/22/09/891-6x1JX.St.156.jpeg|428One, last look back at the track as Christmas Abbott leaves Five Flags Speedway. "I really couldn't have asked for more from my first race," she says.
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