COOPER WEBB | GRIT-215 | 450SX

COOPER WEBB | GRIT-215 | SX 450

Knowing that the championship was within reach, Cooper Webb's demeanor when rolling into Glendale would reflect one of business and a serious outlook on the moto's that were to come in the night show. He'd tirelessly fought for countless titles in year's past, and was planning to do much the same following the conclusion of practice in Arizona. As always, Webb seemed to ascend to another level of the racing hierarchy as the gate(s) fell for the first main event, where his time(s) in practice were trumped with world-renowned race-craft on the sports highest stage. He would fight amongst the top-three to quickly move into second behind Eli Tomac as the clock began to tick, hoping to pressure the Yamaha rider into a mistake after stalking him in corner upon corner sequencing. However Tomac wasn't going to fold, and remained calculated despite Webb staying within a two-second margin; and though a surge of sorts was generated with a few laps to go, it would be Webb who remained composed in second and took the runner-up standing in stride prior to heading into the following main event. His start for the second endeavor was less than spectacular, as he would be forced to work his way into a prominent position after crossing the green flag in fifth. He would battle with a number of riders, including Jason Anderson whom he attempted to pass as a few laps had passed by. The attempt occurred after one of the longest rhythm lanes on the track, where Webb pushed to the inside of Jason (in the proceeding left-hander) and would charge a bit too hard and hit the left side of the Kawasaki machine! Anderson was flustered, and would run Webb in the corner that followed, just before the whoop section; which led to Barcia passing by in the moguls as well. Webb refused to settle for a less than stellar standing though, and would pass Justin as time expired to accrue fifth as he crossed the checkered flag. For the last moto, Webb's start (again) would be less than desired as he hovered around the eighth-place position as the narrative began to unfold. He had to be precise at this point in time, as too little urgency could leave him floundering in the back of the pack, but too much aggression (upon this racing surface) could have him crashing to the ground. He would choose to walk the line as best as possible, moving passed Adam Cianciarulo and Aaron Plessinger prior to attempting to overtake Jason Anderson. However the Kawasaki rider would swap through the whoop section (due to an absence of traction) atop the whoop section - flung to the ground in pain and disbelief, as Webb nearly clipped him when simultaneously moving around him! Luckily Webb remained upright and into fourth, where he tried to attack Chase Sexton who occupied third. However that was to no avail, and would actually encounter the most trouble via Ken Roczen (who'd charged from fifth place) to nearly overtaking him as they approached the checkered flag. But Webb would hold onto the fourth-place residency when leaping over the final double, finalized in fourth overall (as well) where he yearned to make up as many points as possible in the rounds on the horizon.

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