CHRIS BLOSE | GRIT-211 | 250SX

CHRIS BLOSE | GRIT-211 | SX 250

From the moment practice began on Saturday, the racing surface in Central Florida would immediately be carved with various lines. Tires of all brands were digging into the loam and moisture-ridden compositions of Daytona, which gave Chris Blose every ounce of traction needed to lean his Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki machine nearly paralleled to the ground beneath him. Constantly advancing on the leaderboard, his final position of tenth would be noteworthy prior to loading the grid for his heat race. Once engaged, the fight for advancement in the initial turn would have riders fading into the tuff-blocks that lined the concrete; each inch of racetrack being used as athletes on all manufacturers strove for a main event bid. His line through the sand on the first and circuit (where Malcolm Stewart and Jason Anderson came together last year) would embody the image of "leaning back, with the throttle pinned." His stance on the seat, was significantly different from his racing stance for other tracks on the tour...and in all honesty, would be varied from how he attacked the backside of the track (where they competed upon clay), as well! There were few teachers who could drill and make attributes like this second-nature. But as he flew past the halfway point on his Kawasaki, it wasn't difficult to see that it was raw talent that encompassed his aptitude on the motorcycle. The tapered rhythm section before the finish-line was giving riders fits, but his ability to prevail (on each lap) would sustain (and amplify) a lead over Jace Owen who was once able to read his jersey lettering. But throughout the duration of the sprint, he would prevail and generate a position of fifth (after passing Coty Schock as well) before approaching the main event. He was at that point, ready to walk into the line of fire; armed from head to toe in combative gear, where pellets ricocheted from his helmet to his chest, never once wavering with his push to a higher position on the track. The number ninety-six of Hunter Lawrence would have a phenomenal pace going at the pinnacle of the field, but he looked at the leading group (which consisted of Max Anstie as well) with means of pursuit and not of defeat. This provoked a series of swift cuts to be made through the elevated switchback near the tunnel-jump, almost clipping the inner most tuff-block(s) while the clock dwindled toward zero. Flying over the gradual single before the sand section in the final five circuits, the exhaust of his Kawasaki would echo through the infield as he nullified the charge from Cullin Park who trailed, while overtaking Coty Schock as well. Pushing ahead, to seventh, Blose would conclude this Daytona episode with a feeling of accomplishment.

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