JORDON SMITH | GRIT-216 | 250SX

JORDON SMITH | GRIT-216 | SX 250

Battles within the Star Racing Yamaha team would continue, as action at Atlanta Motor Speedway came to fruition. And the Southeast native, Jordon Smith, appeared ready to assemble a spectacular gathering of laps for both heat race and main event(s) that were set to take place in the afternoon hours; especially following a remarkable showing in the time(d) trials segment(s). Once done with qualification, he was engaged in the divisional round of heat racing; where a multitude of world-renowned competitors were all around him. The number fifty-eight machine would initially contest teammate Nate Thrasher for the lead, but seemed to remain calculated as the Tennessee native would narrowly inch forward as minutes began to transpire. Jordon would sprint by the mechanic's area with a blistering sense of speed, engaging in wheel-tapping and a hesitancy to brake in the moguls that followed; popping with a recoil of the shock and forks upon the tallest lip, and tripling over the mounds that were just thereafter with momentum that never lapsed. Those prominent velocities would be held throughout the rest of the moto, continuously chasing Thrasher to the checkered flag, en route to a magnificent second-place standing. Next to come was the main event, where Smith would follow into a rhythm of sorts just behind Hunter Lawrence and Haiden Deegan. The previously mentioned opponents were riding spectacularly, all the while Smith would have to keep an eye on a hard-charging Nate Trhasher who would be working his way forward from outside the top five. But Smith wasn't rattled, and attempted to pass Lawrence after a crucial mistake by the red-plate holder - but then shifted his focus to Deegan, once the Australian eventually worked his way into the lead. Zeroing-in on the number 238, a superb pass after the finish-line would be made with around eight and a-half minutes to go; pushing Smith into a runner-up registry with Lawrence a little over two-seconds out. Relentlessly chipping away at Hunter, Smith would do all in his power to gain small portions of advancement to the rear wheel of the number ninety-six...but the Honda athlete was riding sensationally. However with a track that was this deteriorated, Smith would be applauded on behalf of his composure and style amongst the ruts; which eventually kept him ahead of Deegan once and for all, as the checkered flag was thrown. He would be solidified in second, and excited for what was next for the conclusion of the 2023 season.

More from GRIT