race recap
ELI TOMAC | GRIT-207 | 450SX
February 7, 2023 · Eli Tomac
ELI TOMAC | GRIT-207 | 450SX
Looking to rebound after last week's disastrous crash, Yamaha's Eli Tomac would hope to return to victory lane after all was said and done in Houston. The mistake in Anaheim was uncharacteristic for the Colorado native, and many in the industry felt as if the round of racing at NRG Stadium would be pivotal in his quest for the title. Eli would begin his day on Saturday with notable times throughout practice, seeming rather loose and fluid on the 450; however it would be the implications of the races to follow that truly explained the narrative, and many waited with anticipation to see how high he'd rise once the gate(s) fell for the night show. Doing his best to put Honda's Chase Sexton behind him, Eli would leap to an admirable hole-shot and early lead while competing in Texan' Stadium; but the number twenty-three was relentless in his aspirations to move ahead. There would be roughly four minutes left on the clock, when the Illinois native would look to blitz past Tomac on the left side of the whoops. He hit the moguls with two to three more MPH than the red-plate holder would showcase and as a result, would pass by him by the time the section would end! Tomac, though displeased, wouldn't be able to amount a comeback in the laps that followed; and would surrender (in second) to his younger rival. The main event wasn't long thereafter, and Eli's reaction time off the launch-pad would be phenomenal! Securing the hole-shot, along with a brilliant series of turns to follow in the sections thereafter, would have the red-plate holder excelling in all aspects of this Houston course. Though contested by various members of the pack, he seemed to be en route to the checkered flag until a red flag was thrown (on Dylan Ferrandis' behalf). There was still sixteen-minutes and forty-seconds left on the clock, therefore the field was forced to restart on the start straightaway (in a single-file assembly). Once the track was then cleared, Tomac resumed where he left off and proceeded to enact a myriad of blistering lap-times. The statement had been made, even with Chase Sexton moving into second place at a rapid pace of his own. Eli's outside line through the sand would be electric, where he floated and doubled his way amongst the rollers time and time again; which was a definitive separator between he and Sexton as time began to expire. Tomac's resilience would ultimately be the catalyst to victory, where he propelled his Yamaha to the checkered flag with confidence...grabbing yet another win, and taking hold of the championship once more before heading east!