GRIT 303 — 450SX — 5th — Justin Cooper

The riding style of Justin Cooper translated to remarkable lap times throughout all of Saturday's practice sessions. It was as though he acclimated to every aspect of this Dallas Texas venue with the highest aptitude possible. Across each plateau and over every takeoff and landing ramp, he flourished. A perfect amount of throttle, clutch control, and suspension compressing, would aid his advancements on the racetrack. As practice eventually came to a conclusion, he had pieced together a multitude of strong laps, which rivaled competitors such as Hunter Lawrence, Cooper Webb, and many others. Not long thereafter would he be planted on the starting line for heat number one of the evening's program. He was willing to push the envelope if necessary, knowing that a valuable gate-pick was up for grabs.

As action then began, he would power through the first lap to collect an early race standing of fifth. Though he was quickly passed by Malcolm Stewart. After doing his best to replicate the flow of the Husqvarna athlete, Cooper would remain solidified in the sixth-place position. The track would grow in difficulty, which played into the skillset of the established Yamaha competitor. He carved through the ruts while tapping into his remarkable outdoor prowess...and in the end, Justin's efforts) translated to sixth overall among the final standings. For the main event, he knew that the track was in its roughest state. Though, with countless laps of practicing in environments such as this, he plunged into the depths) of the opening sequences with a willingness to excel at the highest level. He would occupy a standing of seventh, as the crowd cheered for this Military Appreciation Race! His intensity was evident, and he quickly leapt into fifth while passing Aaron Plessinger and Vince Friese. In the laps that followed, Cooper was steadfast in the fifth-place residency. Beginning to find the smoothest, and most optimal of ruts was critical if he wanted to maintain this position. He could see the pack of four athletes (ie. Ken Roczen, Hunter Lawrence, Cooper Webb, and Eli Tomac) in the lanes ahead..and would gauge his pace off of them as the halfway point and three-quarter marks) of the contest transpired.

Steadily, he too would identify how large the margin between he and Chase Sexon (who was sixth) had gotten. It was more than sufficient, though he continued to excel from the twenty-second lap,

onward. The performance was

spectacular, and again would prove as to why the New York native was considered one of the most talented members of the division. As the checkered flag waved, for the conclusion of lap twenty-six, it was Justin who obtained fifth in the record book!