race recap
JASON ANDERSON- GRIT 228 450MX
July 24, 2023 · Jason Anderson
JASON ANDERSON | GRIT-228 | 450MX
After engaging in countless laps of blistering speed in the earliest hours of Saturday morning, Kawasaki's Jason Anderson would attempt to corral that momentum and carry it to the starting line of the first moto. This 450cc MX division would gradually grow with talent as weeks had passed, making for an eventful turn number-one (and first lap) sequence, of this initial two-part narrative in late July. It would be Anderson who gathered a standing of fifth as the green flag waved, doing his best to sweep through the deceivingly slick turns that were cast amongst the shade. But Jason was far from done, in regard to seeking his final standing for the moto - and proceeded to pass Ty Masterpool rather quickly while looking toward the rear wheel of Chase Sexton. It was to be expected that Anderson was still trying to obtain his base of fitness from that of Supercross, with unquestionable effort that would be logged throughout countless laps of previous competition in the outdoor series. Once he was into the aforementioned fourth-place standing though, the objective of overtaking Dylan Ferrandis was no easy task...and the number twenty-one would be forced to work hard to sustain a pace that could keep the French rider in sight. But Anderson wasn't one to quit, and proceeded to relentless dig as he flew from the summit of height(s) over the infield wall-jump - landing onto the straightaway thereafter with fierce explosion while powering forward with the Kawasaki engine revved to its highest extent! The free-flowing style would be applauded by all in attendance, which was a catalyst of sorts that carried Anderson's Kawasaki to the finish-line in fourth; for a solid opening position of a two-moto classification. For the following round of racing, his opening lap standing (after the red-flag malfunction, where his gate seemed to have trouble) (i.e. fourth) was a position within the top-ten that was immersed amongst the front-runners in the field. He, Sexton, Lawrence (along with Plessinger) were all in a simultaneous unit of sorts; following one another through the threes while searching for the smallest gain(s) while proceeding to the halfway point. Though once in fourth, it would be difficult for Anderson to erase the lead that former leader (i.e. Plessinger) had once created. And even with the KTM rider beginning to descend (when compared to his original pace), it was hard for anyone to overtake him for the final spot on the moto podium! Yet again, the resiliency of the former 450 SX Champion (Anderson) was on full display as the checkered flag neared - and as all was said and done, it was Anderson who grasped fourth-place in the moto, for third overall on the final leaderboard!