JETT LAWRENCE - GRIT 246 450SX

GRIT-246 |450 SX

May 20, 2024 9:45 am

Could the domination that Jett Lawrence presented, continue through the round of St. Louis? Many in the industry thought so, at least after his incredible display of talent in practice on Saturday. However, the class was too deep for anyone to assume that he could race to the checkered flag with an easy path...and as the gate(s) fell for the first (of three) main events, Lawrence was considered fortunate to reside within the top-ten after being stuck amongst the pile-up that claimed various racers at the end of the longest rhythm lane on the track. Residing seventh (after the first full lap of action), Jett would quickly advance to a fifth-place regard after passing Jason Anderson and Shane McElrath - eyeing the fourth place position next, which was occupied by Justin Barcia. He too, would advance past the fifty-one machine while then beginning to stalk the rear wheel of Suzuki's Ken Roczen. After laps of constant pressure, Lawrence then took advantage of the questionable, bike malfunction which appeared to cause a mistake on Ken Roczen's behalf at the end of a long rhythm lane. Once nearly stalling, Lawrence would make his way around the outside, occupying third while seeking to push past Aaron Plessinger next. The attrition of the Australian was a defining factor in overtaking the KTM athlete, which was displayed via a pass for second in the corner before the finish line with just over two minutes left on the clock. Time would run-out though, in regard to him being able to surpass Eli Tomac (who led), and as he garnered second in the moto's standings, he was eager to seek an even higher placement for the next portion of competition. Battling for the hole-shot designation (after sneaking to the inside of Eli Tomac), it was actually Justin Cooper who out-witted both of the series standouts, via a brilliant path of momentum across the inside of the initial rhythm lane. Lawrence though, quickly made a move to the lead on the second lap and never looked back. Though Eli Tomac was constantly seeking to pass the Honda rider (i.e. Lawrence), Jett was unwavering while holding the leading designation. He ultimately led through the "supposed" checkered flag at the time...but was unfortunately docked due to jumping on a red-cross flag, that was simultaneously thrown with the aforementioned checkered. Losing two positions as a result, his eventual result (of third) was one that sparked considerable motivation. However, the third-moto was arguably over before it began so to speak...with Jett, being slammed into by Justin Barcia amongst a one-eighty degree corner; even before taking the green flag! As Lawrence cut-down, Barcia's infiltration of the mid-point of the moto, created a converging path that neither could stop...sending Lawrence to the ground while appearing to grip his arm rather substantially. Though somehow able to remount the motorcycle, his injury would ultimately descend his final moto standing to that of twenty-first - creating a result of eighth overall, and losing a significant sum of points to his championship competitors.

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