HAIDEN DEEGAN - GRIT 241 250SX

GRIT-241 | 250 SX

Seeking to rebound following the series opener in Michigan, Yamaha's Haiden Deegan appeared extremely focused while rounding the circuit in Arlington for practice. Nothing could stand in his way as he scrubbed over the "SX" triple, with his patented engine rev echoing through the stadium as fans watched from afar. To the highest tiers of the leaderboard he would climb before exiting the raceway, encountering hundreds of attendees and spectators as he made his way to the pit area. Clicking into gear for the night show, he was registered for heat one before rolling to the line...encountering a full gate of competitors who were seeking to "take his spot" per se. Yet the number thirty-eight was having none of it, and slid through the opening corner while on the edge of traction, to collect a standing of first as laps began to be completed. He was in total control of the Yamaha chassis while toggling between slick sections and powder berms, navigating the sand extremely well also while being pursued by veteran Max Anstie. It was Forkner who was classified as the opponent on the move however, and proceeded to pass Haiden with roughly fifteen-seconds left on the clock in the whoop section...though the number thirty-eight countered and attempted a block pass of sorts in the corner before the "SX"triple, hitting the Kawasaki on the inside but avoiding a fall of his own - while retaining second (briefly). But Anstie was able to work his way around too, with Haiden losing serious momentum...and unfortunately faltering to third before advancing to the main event. For the finalé, the process of infiltrating the highest standing(s) of the pack would be imminent...and as Haiden spun from the grate and into the corner that followed, he combatted others in the field to emerge near the lead. Through the first three laps, the Yamaha rider had a prolific pace and a sense of urgency that was a component of his natural talent as a Supercross star. Retaining second, it was evident that the Yamaha rider embodied the qualities needed to track-down the race victory if the opportunity presented itself. Lap by lap, he aimed for the rear wheel of the Kawasaki rider, though Forkner was riding very well at the front of the pack. However, on the seventeenth circuit of action, as pressure was continuously applied by the native Californian...a devastating mistake occurred on behalf of the Kawasaki rider. He would slam to the pavement in the start-straight rhythm section, flying off the track while seemingly handing the lead to Deegan. Now occupied in the winning designation, it was a process of maintaining his jumping line through the whoops, while omitting mistakes in the countless ruts on this deteriorating canvas...and as the checkered flag eventually flew on the completion of the twenty-first circuit, it was Deegan who took his first ever SX win - ghost-riding his bike, on the jump there after for a means of celebration!

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