JO SHIMODA - GRIT 237 250SX

JO SHIMODA | GRIT-237 | 250 SX

Seeking to revitalize his championship run while stationed in San Diego, Honda's Jo Shimoda was business-like in his demeanor when surveying the track for afternoon qualifying. Though the conditions were set to be damp and covered with clouds, Shimoda's outlook for round three of the Monster Energy Supercross Championship remained positive. Leaping amongst the rhythm section before the "SX" triple, the rider who sported thirty across his number plates seemed comfortable and in rhythm with the circuit, garnering a notable final position on the leaderboard before moving into the night show. Once locked into his particular starting bracket, there would be only seconds that kept him from moving forward and diving into the opening corner...attempting to push his Honda fender ahead of everyone else, the chaos of the 250 heat race was quickly upon him, especially after everyone was muddied following a red flag restart. But Shimoda was persistent, attempting to stay within a transfer position despite multiple mistakes (including crashes, and instances of being spun around on the racetrack) to somehow, ultimately garnering second as final results were registered. His jump from the line, to begin the main event, wasn't what he desired though; where the rear wheel spun and Shimoda seemed to fish tail when powering from the initial rut. He would make passes rather quickly though, and maintained a top-ten position early. He was into eighth by the time the fourth circuit was completed, though he spotted Hunter Yoder and Mitchell Oldenburg not too far ahead and attempted to track them down as quickly as possible. Once around the two opponents on the seventh circuit, he simultaneously made an advancement ahead of Levi Kitchen as well, with the Washington native falling down. This would have him solidified in fifth, as he continuously pulled tear-off's and established a rhythm, avoiding bottoming-out in the deepest of ruts while still creating double-jump sequences before the whoops. The amount of focus he portrayed couldn't be quantified, where he stayed atop the foot-pegs while bursting through endless piles of compact soil - knowing that an absence of throttle twisting, could cause a multitude of problems to be thrown this way. As the timer continuously ticked from three minutes, to two, and so on, it was Shimoda who limited his mistakes (for the most part) while keeping Jordon Smith within range. And while defending Levi Kitchen from advancing forward, he too would receive another position in the running order via RJ Hampshire's crash on the final circuit...translating to fourth overall, as he exited the raceway in Southern California.

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