JASON ANDERSON - GRIT 237 450SX

JASON ANDERSON | GRIT-237 | 450 SX

Despite damp conditions being cast over the racecourse in practice, Kawasaki's Jason Anderson was an undoubted top-tier competitor amongst the earliest of sessions. Blitzing atop the whoops despite both tires struggling to find traction, the New Mexico native appeared more than comfortable to "ride the edge" per se as he strove for high quality practice times. The track was the slickest, of all racing layouts we'd seen thus far this year...but the highly skilled veteran aboard the number twenty-one machine was without question, more than prepared. This attributes were immediately displayed as action began in heat one, where Anderson carried tremendous momentum into the abrupt tabletop just before finish line. Funneling into the inside grooves in the corners thereafter, there was little room for error as the moisture of the soil came to the top of the ground. Anderson's starting position wasn't necessarily one that was desired, but he continued to pick through the field after beginning the seven-lap sequence in fourteenth...and while never wavering, he would encounter a multitude of yellow flags and downed competitors. Luckily, he avoided trouble and would position his machine just ahead of Vince Friese; which designated him in eighth place, respectively. With a plethora of series contenders funneling into the opening corner, Anderson was quick to bang bars with other former championships while hoping to cement a position inside the top three. The multitude of rather awkward, double single combinations on the circuit allowed many to "flat-land" and jump further than their opponents - which is exactly what Anderson did, while pursuing a position inside the top five. Mistakes were made by that of Eli Tomac and Ken Roczen, which enable Anderson to move into an eventual top five position...and as many minutes had transpired, it seemed as if the Kawasaki competitor would reside fourth. However, Jett Lawrence had worked his way through the field and would the attach to the rear wheel of the New Mexico native - revving and looking for various way around, as the final two minutes on the clock appeared. Though beneath the two minute mark, Lawrence would push Anderson as wide as possible in the corner after the finish line, resulting in a fifth-place position for Jason. Ultimately residing here as the checkered flag was thrown, he and Jett Lawrence seemed to have a few words upon crossing the finish line...intensifying the rivalry, for the series to come.

More from GRIT