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CHRISTIAN CRAIG | GRIT-211 | 450SX

March 6, 2023 · Christian Craig

CHRISTIAN CRAIG | GRIT-211 | 450SX

CHRISTIAN CRAIG | GRIT-211 | SX 450

With Christian Craig making a prominent run through the initial half of the series, he understood the degree of importance that housed the round of Daytona. Seventeen rounds were in totality, and the race in Central Florida couldn't be any tougher of a test, in regard to fatigue for both man and machine. But this is what he trained for, to perform alongside Chase Sexton, Eli Tomac, and Cooper Webb, applauded by thousands of fans as he ran upon the course of one of America's greatest racetracks! Practice would be go smooth, where he found his rhythm amongst the tapered singles en route to the finish-line. His Husqvarna appeared to seat into ruts on various insides rather well, with the shock staying compressed enough to omit the sharpened edge of bumps and pot-holes alike. All seemed to be well as he exited the course shortly thereafter, preparing for heat twowith the utmost intensity while sitting behind his starting gate. Once the pin would unlatch, the rubber of his rear wheel would interlock with the grate beneath the chassis, creating an abundance of velocity as he dove into turn number one. Nearly paralleled with Jason Anderson as they swept through the first two circuits, he had to monitor his line(s) as the tandem scrubbed their way over the wall-jump before the finish-line. It almost spelt disaster on the brink of lap four, but with his finesse and strength he was able to corral the chassis into a straightened path before leaping over the finish-line double. Landing with the throttle twisted to the highest extent, there was little to separate him between his current standing and the checkered flag. Therefore as he swiped the remainder of his tear-off stack, a sense of clarity would accompany his final residency of fifth. This led to the main event, where many eyes would be on the aforementioned KTM, Yamaha, and Honda rider(s) as they fought for the championship lead. His standing of tenth had to be acknowledged though, as he was cheered by his mechanic on the first four circuits of action. Seat-hopping his way over the camelback obstacle, the KTM of Justin Hill would yearn to leap to the left of him prior to speeding under the bridge! But his race-craft toggled lines of defense while keeping his lap-times optimal, when bursting past the halfway point. The set of triples after the finish-line were daunting, and nearly becoming hazardous as his frame drug the face of the smallest lips, but his fortitude had to be recognized as others were fading. Ultimately rounding the final circuit in tenth, his speed was well-respected given the excruciating format of Daytona.

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