GRIT 311 — 250SX — 8th — Derek Kelly

The atmosphere in Philadelphia was certain to be incredible. Fans in this area of the country, were ecstatic to see those within the current 250SX East Coast series compete - and it was as if the mentality of Derek Kelley could sense that, as he portrayed numerous eye-opening whips and scrubs, throughout the earliest stages of practice on Saturday. He was proficient as the top-soil was flung to the outer boundaries of the raceway, and continued to move forward at the height of second and third gear, through many sectors of the canvas. As competition in heat number one began, Kelley did his best to avoid the most chaotic of circumstances (on the muddy track to earn eighth place at the green flag. In the laps that followed, when significant double combinations were presented (with many jump-faces still intact), Kelley would leap across the gaps with fearlessness — which maintained his trajectory in the eighth-place residency. Circuit by circuit, the established competitor would trail (and pursue) that of Landen Gordon and others.

This would lead to Kelly appearing to be solidified in a transferring position, long before the checkered flag was thrown. However, while knowing that every gate choice was valuable, Kelley would surge forward for one final standing, as Marcus Phelps would make a mistake...thus, Derek secured a position of seventh at the finish line! For the main event, Kelley emphasized a quick jump from the line, and infiltration of the opening corner. Both goals were checked per se, with a remarkable effort ™ and the Kawasaki athlete would move into the first-place position, following a crash from Seth Hammaker (where Kelley dodged the opponent who had fallen), along with, making his way ahead of Cole Davies. Kelley was riding extremely well, and despite being passed by Davies on lap two, he would remain in the second-place standing..though shortly thereafter, the race would be halted due to an injured rider on the racetrack. Following the red-flag restart, Kelley would be aligned in second-place..though a number of competitors were instantly seeking to track him down in the initial rhythm lane. Despite the hard-fought effort from the veteran.

Kelly would descend to a standing of sixth while showing a true sense of grit on the motorcycle! Shortly thereafter, a brief mistake would be made which forced him into tent. Yet, rather than giving-up, the relentless spirt of Kelly would help him propel his way into ninth, and then eighth — after passing Marshal Weltin and Gavin Towers! In the end, it was an admirable performance for the athlete who sported the number seventy-seven across his machine...and eighth overall, was his for this 250SX event.