JO SHIMODA | GRIT-216 | 250SX

JO SHIMODA | GRIT-216 | SX 250

"Finally!" The crowd would exclaim as the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider would return to action in Atlanta, recovering from a previous injury that was sustained and left him absent from rounds thus far in the series. And upon entering onto the course throughout Saturday morning's practice festivities, the number thirty would prove as to why he's considered one of the strongest riders in the 250cc division (regardless of coast). Flourishing through the slick surfaces that comprised the Atlanta layout, Shimoda would be precise with the throttle as he skated amongst various corners (and even straightaways, for that matter). This would lead to him migrating to the top segment(s) of the leaderboard, alongside names like Hunter Lawrence, Haiden Deegan, and Nate Thrasher. There was little to address in regard to his plan for the race(s) that were on the horizon, including the divisional round of heat racing where Joe immediately leapt into a position near the top five, but an unfortunate miscalculation of balance would have him washing out just after the initial toppling of the tunnel jump. Blazing a trail that few could replicate throughout the array of corners on the Atlanta circuit that followed, he would leap over the "hip double" before speeding into the off-cambered corner thereafter - sliding to the outer bank on the right side prior to viciously scrubbing the wall jump that followed. All the while, he would be tracking down a transfer position, working his way from outside of the top-ten and into single digit territory. His all-out charge would eventually lead him to fifth, where he nearly clipped the rear wheel of Haiden Deegan in the final corner of action; leading to undeniable action to ensue in the main event! A tenth place start to the finalé would be somewhat decent by Shimoda's standards, giving him a place to build from in the following laps. Minute by minute, Jo would proceed to claw through the pack; passing riders like Coty Schock, Talon Hawkins, and Jace Owen, while staying connected to the rear wheel of Max Anstie. He and the British rider would go back and forth as they approached the halfway point, swapping positions prior to entering into the latter whoop section of the course - where Shimoda would take over fifth. Though eight to nine-seconds behind that of podium territory, Jo was now coming into a formidable rhythm; precisely gaining ground, which also accompanied and inherited position on behalf of Nate Thrasher's unfortunate crash. Shimoda would be going so fast, that he would nearly come into battle with Deegan as the checkered flag was thrown; concluding the event in fourth, and seemingly picking up where he'd left off before his previous injury!

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