race recap
JO SHIMODA | GRIT-220 | 250SX
May 15, 2023 · Jo Shimoda
JO SHIMODA | GRIT-220 | SX 250
Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Jo Shimoda had made quite the return to the Supercross racing format in recent memory, and proceeded to demonstrate consistency amongst challenging track(s) and even tougher competition. His world-renowned technique, which coupled fluidity and outright speed, would be carried into the final East/West showdown of the year amongst an abundance of the strongest opponents in the sport. For practice, Shimoda was excelling through the rutted corners, as the track had received more moisture than what was originally intended; but for those athletes like the number thirty, the rougher the circuit became, the greater the flow they could adopt. The heat races thereafter, were a different challenge all together, with mist and rain falling on the racing surface creating a slick course that was eventually reminiscent of the New Jersey round just weeks ago! Nonetheless, Shimoda found a way to thrive, and advanced forward from four to third in the earliest stages of the 250SX East Heat. Following none other than Haiden Deegan and Hunter Lawrence, Shimoda would replicate the lines of the two adversaries in front of him with as much aggression as possible; cresting the subtle step-up before embarking on the longest straightaway while landing on the throttle and seeking to cling onto the rear wheel of the Honda ahead of him. Regardless of what the number "1E" would do, Shimoda wasn't showing any sign of backing down, which eventually propelled him to third-place through lap eight - where he was finalized before entering into the finalé. The anticipation couldn't have been higher as the green flag was thrown for the points paying segment of the evening, with mud being flung every which way from opposing riders on various brands! However Shimoda was still able to double and triple his way over the toughest obstacles on the track, all the while retaining a fourth place position behind Levi Kitchen. He was resilient in this spot with Chris Blose and Jordon Smith trailing him, never letting the pressure from elder veterans cause him to falter. He would pop over the tunnel jump time and time again with a changing stance that led him over the accompanying roller that followed, generating tons of momentum before the whoop section and proceeding to skim the moguls to the best of his abilities (even as they began to get cupped out). He could see Kitchen ahead throughout the entire process of the main event, but was unable to truly make a run at obtaining the third place overall as the finalé came to a close...which cemented Shimoda in fourth (on the final leaderboard) as he prepares to bring an abundance of momentum to the outdoor championship!