JUSTIN BARCIA | GRIT-217 | 450SX

JUSTIN BARCIA | GRIT-217 | SX 450

There was little that could stop GasGas' Justin Barcia in weeks past, and it seemed as though it would be only a matter of time before the number fifty-one was going to claim victory amid the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series. And what better place to do it, then that of his home race in New Jersey? Well, "JB51" seemed to acknowledge that narrative and put a plan into action from the moment the green flag waved in practice, as he displayed his patented all-out aggressive style for those in the crowd to see. It was indicative of the confidence and self-belief the New York native possessed, and translated to heat number two where he was immediately located in a second-place residency behind Chase Sexton. The number fifty-one was urgently searching for places to make passes, but would unfortunately ride a bit "too aggressively" when exiting the whoop section with just under four minutes remaining on the clock...when a slight "knifing" of the front end would cause him to crash into the outside of the berm! Though both his bike and body were unscathed, Barcia quickly returned to action; albeit after being passed by Jason Anderson. All the while, a storm of speed and fury would be brought to his rear wheel on behalf of Eli Tomac, though the resilience of the fifty-one was able to defend the third-place standing from the hard-charging red plate holder. Eventually finishing third as he crossed the finish-line, Barcia would look forward to the main event that was to follow. But there was little that could prepare anyone in the 450cc finalé for what was to come, as rain had saturated the racing surface, to the point where the event was contemplating being cancelled! However the AMA and assembly of officials would gather and proceed to restart the event, despite the racetrack being covered with mud. And this is where Justin Barcia excelled, as he blasted from the starting line with his eyes set on the lead, swapping positions with Ken Roczen and Chase Sexton in the first rhythm section, amid a constant shuffle for the lead! It would eventually entail a running order of Roczen, Sexton (who'd gone back and forth with Justin) and Barcia, as the entirety of the top three. But that would quickly change, as the GasGas rider darted across the inner portion of the berm before the whoops, prior to the field taking the green flag...where Barcia's machine would hit the front wheel of Sexton, putting the Honda rider on the ground! Now second, he would zero-in on Ken Roczen's rear wheel for what seemed like an eternity; until a changing of velocities would ultimately push the (figurative) momentum into the possession of Barcia, who took advantage with just over ten minutes to go! It was in the exact same corner, before the whoops, where Justin would run Ken Roczen wide; forcing the Suzuki rider off of the race track, while claiming the top spot on the leaderboard! Now into the lead, there was little to disrupt the flow of the number fifty-one, who could only lose the sight of victory on behalf of a mistake of his own or subsequent bike trouble...neither of which would ever occur! And as the cheers grew louder, Barcia would fist pump and take his goggle(s) off in the final moments, revving the throttle with enthusiasm as he came across the line victorious!

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