JASON ANDERSON - GRIT 262 450SX

GRIT-262 | 450 SX

August 30th, 2024 5:00 pm

A veteran of the division, for quite sometime now, would once again exemplify world-renowned characteristics as he attacked the Ironman circuit in practice. Through every section of the course, Jason Anderson was a standout - and the New Mexico native sustained his elite skillset into the opening moto of the afternoon that followed. Surging from the gate, he would contend to a standing around seventh while blasting his way into the wooded area. Through the tapered drop-offs and subtle ridges around the course, Jason would constantly keep the rear-wheel spinning to garner traction. His undeniable momentum on the Kawasaki would lead him to a standing of fifth by the third lap, where he attempted to track-down and battle with long-time rival, Eli Tomac. The competition had spanned well over twenty-years with he and the Colorado resident, and was quite a remarkable feat to be showcased as they made their way to the halfway point. Despite Tomac pulling away, Anderson stayed on-track and proceeded to put forth a consistent pace that never wavered. A significant pack of riders, including Justin Cooper, Malcolm Stewart, and Phil Nicoletti were all trailing him...but Anderson had been involved in scenarios like this for numerous seasons - and used his veteran demeanor to remain composed under pressure. Leaping over the Godzilla jump, while returning inbound to the racecourse over the massive downhill tabletop, Anderson would float while relinquishing an intense grip on the handlebars...using the airtime as a means to regain composure before embarking on yet another, furious charge. This pattern was sustained through the eventual checkered flag, where he earned a final score of fifth before advancing to the next moto. A strong start to the second round of racing would allow Anderson to obtain the fifth-place position in the earliest moments, though he was pressured heavily from Eli Tomac who trailed. "ET3" would then make the move as a few minutes of competition transpired, deterring him to sixth. However, Jason knew the race was far from over, and continued to charge forward with the pack of astounding athletes not far ahead. Sweeping through the outside of the left-handed corner before the infield tabletop, he would eventually spot the brilliant pathway that Eli Tomac was using, and proceeded to gain time on Honda's Hunter Lawrence amid the middle portion of the pack. He seemed to be charging in a non-stop manner, racing to the rear wheel of the Honda rider as lap twelve approached, and passing the former 250cc champion before the circuit concluded. This propelled Anderson to fifth, where he resided through the final four laps as well. It was his consistency, in the end, that led him to sixth overall in the record book...via results of five-five.

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