race recap
JORDON SMITH | GRIT-207 | 250SX
February 7, 2023 · Jordon Smith
JORDON SMITH | GRIT-207 | 250SX
The long-time competitor of the AMA Professional Circuit, Yamaha's Jordon Smith, would prove yet again as to why he was labeled as a championship threat prior to this particular series beginning. He'd been on the cusp of receiving the number-one plate on countless occasions, and had proven in the off-season that he was deserving of being signed to the Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha team. Nevertheless, he put that plan into action while racing in Houston; which translated into a prominent qualification time and heat race that followed. Stationed in the second heat of the evening, he would push his front end just ahead of Max Anstie amid the opening rhythm section; which granted him all of the space he needed prior to embarking on the "open frontier" of sorts. The track was at his disposal, where he sprinted to the outside(s) of various corners with little regard for what was going to transpire amongst the positions that trailed him. The crowd continued to cheer, erupting with applause when understanding Jordon's journey to climb back to this point; and those in his corner would nod their head with reassurance as he blitzed past the halfway point, portraying the utmost talent and skill aboard the Yamaha 250F. He would maintain that sense of swagger until the checkered flag was thrown; where he resided in first place and could exit the course with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. He yearned to create that scenario again in the main event, where a sixth place position was his initial outing. Yet rather than be impatient and rush into a huge mistake of sorts, he methodically worked his way through traffic; moving as high as fourth (ahead of Jeremy Martin) before a slight tip-over would have him on the ground within the sand section. He wasn't flustered though, and would remount as quickly as possible while barreling into the top-five once more. Martin was first to be overtaken, and Vialle was just in the foreground; all the while he was forced to keep Haiden Deegan at bay, which created quite the circumstance for the veteran of the division. The number 238 would stay behind him, while Vialle would crash in the latter stages of the moto. These two actions, would equate to a very well-respected third overall being accrued as time expired; which is exactly what Jordon Smith needed to begin the year!