JASON ANDERSON - GRIT 232 450SMX

JASON ANDERSON | GRIT-232 | 450 SMX

With remarkable speed being showcased at Budds Creek and the Ironman National, no-one in the industry would doubt the talent level of Kawasaki's Jason Anderson as the SMX playoff's came to fruition. Anderson had been a legitimate player in every series he'd entered in his professional career, and would eye the newfound three-race format as a platform to excel in front of the entire world. He adapted to the slick surface of Charlotte instantly as practice began, with the soil having a subtle similarity (in regard to lack of traction, not moisture) to his roots of riding in the state of New Mexico. This would aid his trajectory in the first moto, where an initial eighth-place standing was quickly erased in exchanged for a sixth-place standing on the fourth lap. He was just behind Ken Roczen at this point, and after undergoing an intense battle with Jett Lawrence (whom he would pass on multiple occasions, decisively) the elevated sense of adrenaline that Anderson was riding with almost seemed tangible from afar - and it would keep Jason on the heels of the German rider for a significant amount of time. Justin Barcia though, came between the two aforementioned opponents; which rekindled a former tandem of rivalry that couldn't be forged between the GasGas and Kawasaki rider...but Anderson was able to work his way around and once again attempted to close the gap between he and Roczen. The loose fitting shirttail was running ragged as he scrubbed the "SX" triple, landing to the inside while staking his wheel-set into the ground...yet despite a remarkable attempt at trying to track down the number ninety-four, Anderson would reside fourth when the dust settled. All in his supporting cast applauded the effort that was showcased on his behalf, which translated into a sense of motivation in the next segment as well. Anderson's second quest of the afternoon began in fourth, and after passing Ty Masterpool would translate to third place honors being solidified before (again) finding himself in a battle with Jett Lawrence. The acts of defense on behalf of Anderson where he flowed from inside to outside were of admirable gamesmanship, but Lawrence's wit was enough to suppress the veteran's aptitude while Jason had diverted to fourth. Dylan Ferrandis was next to be dealt with, and again, despite excellent race-craft from Anderson, the French rider appeared to be just a bit too persistent amongst the latter stages...moving Anderson to fifth, as the checkered flag waved, for a hard-fought fifth-place score in the final standings.

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