race recap
JUSTIN BARCIA | GRIT-207 | 450SX
February 7, 2023 · Justin Barcia
JUSTIN BARCIA | GRIT-207 | 450SX
Advancing through the first few rounds of the series, Justin Barciawould have his sights set on generating a promising performance at NRG Stadium. Not only would this round offer new soil compositions, but it would be a closed-roof course...which was a blessing to many on the tour who yearned for solid racecourse to compete on. Taking a few laps to figure out the circuit, all would be gunning for Chase Sexton and Jason Anderson (amongst others); as the two competitors were stellar throughout various qualification sessions. Certain to translate into heat two, he would click into gear while speeding into the first corner, knowing his GasGas machine would provide the optimal RPM necessary to get him over the toughest of rhythm lanes. Scrubbing the double before the finish-line, there was a constant surge forward provided on his behalf which was encouraged by his mechanic. Reaching over the barrier, lap after lap his crew chief would empower him to blast ahead, nailing the quad while keeping Adam Cianciarulo behind him. The Kawasaki competitor was ruthless with his constant revving and zeroing in on his rear wheel, though he would negate the tactics that were presented on a number of occasions as they pushed forward to the checkered flag. Clicking into third gear prior to decimating the whoop section, his line on the left side would promote optimal traction and trajectory on the fifth circuit...which continued through the white flag, and into the checkered. Accruing third, the game-plan was then set for the main event. The 250cc finalé was now concluded and action was rampant on the first lap of this twenty-minute brigade. Rolling through the rimmed corners with his inside foot out, he was mindful to not drift too wide when Cianciarulo was within a specified amount of bike lengths. His chassis was working well, converting from the hard-packed to the sand (and back and forth) rather efficiently; though the momentum generated would be halted, with a red-flag restart after a few laps of action. They quickly returned to the track though, and Barcia was steadfast on his pursuit of higher ground. Laps nine, ten, and eleven were ones that amplified his gap and gave him a bit of breathing room...but he couldn't relax; as the halfway point was a critical juncture where crucial time could be made. Continuing to launch the quadruple jump for as long as possible, even in the times where he went triple (and the conclusive double to follow) he would land with the rear wheel spinning while emphasizing his dash toward the checkered. All seemed to be well, even passing Cooper Webb for a brief while, until a crash after the whoop section would leave him scattered amongst the floor of Houston stadium. Barcia would hop on the GasGas machine rather quickly though, and pursued the sixth-position with immense focus until crossing the finish-line as festivities concluded!