race recap
CULLIN PARK | GRIT-207 | 250SX
February 7, 2023 · Cullin Park
CULLIN PARK | GRIT-207 | 250SX
Exhibiting a tireless work ethic in the weeks leading up to the inception of the 250cc East Coast Championship, Cullin Park couldn't wait for his wheels to roll onto the raceway in Houston, Texas. Press Day would go rather well for all involved parties, and would forecast the specific flows of the race(s) that were set to take place on Saturday evening. Scrubbing his chassis to the right while cresting the tunnel jump, he funneled to the inside time and time again to begin his various practicing endeavors (just after the 12:00 P.M. hour) while doing his best to generate a successful qualification time. Though the leaders of this group, including Hunter Lawrence, were surging near the highest tier of the field, he too was showcasing quite the array of lap-times as all concluded. Heading back to his pit area, many could sense that he was confident and eager to begin action in his heat race. Shortly thereafter, he could be found clicking his transmission into second-gear with a subtle lift of his left foot...waiting for the board to go sideways prior to dashing into turn number one. The battles were rugged and embodied brute force at times, with various machines sliding into one another prior to bypassing the green flag. He would round the opening lap near seventh while hoping to move forward; though race leader, Jordon Smith had showcased a pace that had to be acknowledged by all who trailed. He scurried underneath the tunnel jump prior to heading into the sand section, clicking into fourth gear prior to initiating the engine braking process amongst the rollers that had now become quite large in height. Staying to the rear of the motorcycle as best as possible, he would power out of the sweeping left-hander throughout the sprint...holding strong for sixth as the referee directed them off the racetrack. Next to come, was the main event where thousands would be screaming with excitement some fifty yards behind the gate! He would have everything (but the motor) on mute though; truly honed in on the last at hand before unleashing the power of his Honda 250F. Nullifying the flashiness that he wanted to portray at event of this magnitude, he emphasized marksmanship and pinpoint accuracy while speeding through the exits of ninety and one-hundred eighty degree corners. Though as the race went on, he was having a hard time shaking the resilient Chris Blose who had stayed just behind him on the racetrack. Never one to let the opponent know his tactics, he wouldn't look back as they approached the thirteenth minute of action. In the final few laps (immediately thereafter), his throttle control would toggle between all-out exertion and a steadied, linear trajectory; established in ninth, before moving forward to next week's action.