GRIT 304 — 250SX — 9th — Cullin Park

Devin Simonson's expectations were high as the Daytona round came to fruition on Saturday. He knew he could excel on this unique canvas and strove for a multitude of blistering laps as practice took place. As braking bumps would form, he maneuvered the chassis with remarkable precision. He was already beginning to portray an efficient flow as ruts around the facility had compounded perse, and with growing knowledge of the course, his lines would begin to weave from inside-to-outside, and vice versa. That notion was precise and sustained as heat race competition took place. With riders putting forth a remarkable pace on the opening lap, he would battle with a valiant effort. This led to a position of approximately ninth being obtained. However, an urgency was seen through his riding style as he flicked the chassis throughout the course. Minute by minute, he raced both, the clock and surrounding group of adversaries.

He was quick through the furthest left-handed bend on the racetrack, and his flow amongst the forthcoming jumps translated to a remarkable run amongst the elevated corner as well. His battle(s) with opponents including Izaih Clark were fierce - but when it mattered most, he seemed to be solidified within the top-eleven. He, Clark, and athletes including John Short and Jalek Swoll, would shuffle amongst a myriad of positions. Though as the checkered flag neared, Simonson soared through the position(s) of tenth and ninth, to actually earn seventh (after passing the aforementioned Triumph athlete, and Texas native) as final results were established! For the final sector of racing, a significant amount of points were on the line, as well as other accolades. Thus, his amount of focus seemed to rise even higher, and he barreled through the first lap with little regard for fear. He would land from the subtle wall-jump. which was just after the finish line, to collect a standing of thirteenth. His momentum was magnificent, and he would be on-par with many of the division's fastest as the race progressed. On-going battles would force the majority into exhaustion, though he managed to thrive as rivalries transpired between he and various established competitors.

Rather instantly, he would leap past Izaih Clark, Valentin Guillod, and Cullin Park. Though he and Park, would go back and forth in the following sequences. Simonson would then seem solidified in the eleventh-place standing - before Drew Adams would exit the moto. As all was finalized, it seemed as if Devin had captured the tenth-place achievement, but a penalty (which was given to Jalek Swoll) would then propel Simonson one position further ahead in the running order... therefore, ninth place in the record book was his!