JASON ANDERSON - GRIT 240 450SX

GRIT-240 | 450 SX

Being accustomed to the soil of the Southwestern United States, Kawasaki's Jason Anderson would be regarded by many as a contender for victory...long before the night show came to fruition in Arizona. Anderson had been on a quest for distinguished accolades since the 2023 season began, and felt rather confident when sprinting onto the course at State Farm Stadium for various practice rounds (where he eventually claimed the overall fastest lap-time). Blitzing through both sets of whoops as his chassis appeared pristine, the number twenty-one was then granted a bid for action in the second heat before eventually clicking into gear once more. As the thirty-second board would go sideways, Jason powered into the multitude of corners that were ahead with the likes of Eli Tomac and Hunter Lawrence just in front of him, while Cooper Webb and Justin Barcia weren't far off his rear tire. Anderson was on a mission though, somehow managing to pass Shane McElrath, Eli Tomac, and then Hunter Lawrence before the second lap was completed! His loose-fitting style was flourishing when scrubbing with the rear-end of the motorcycle, floating through the initiation of both rhythm sections with a surplus of velocity (when compared to most of the field) and landing amid pockets with immaculate precision. He would sustain a strong pace in second, steadily aiming for the rear wheel of KTM's Aaron Plessinger who led...but "AP" was too far out in front to overtake, therefore Anderson headed to the main event with a second place finish to his name. Every point was valuable at this stage of the championship - therefore there was little to critique as Anderson dove through the green flag lap, scrubbing his way over the finish line jump to generate a standing of third, behind Aaron Plessinger and Ken Roczen. Aaron Plessinger would fall unfortunately, after just two laps of action; leaving Anderson to the runner-up spot, where he attempted to try and nullify the forward movement of Ken Roczen. It wasn't occurring however, where the German rider was breaking away from the field...however Anderson couldn't be discredited, where he was displaying a stunning pace by all accounts. Every facet of the raceway would be completed with exceptional technique, leading to a gap generated over the eventual third place finisher (i.e. Jett Lawrence), that the rookie couldn't overcome. And at the end of the twenty-lap sequence, again, Anderson would prove that he was a definite contender for the overall championship - via the second place award in Glendale.

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