race recap
JUSTIN COOPER - GRIT 259 450SX
August 12, 2024
GRIT-259 | 450 SX
July 25th, 2024 5:00 pm
The former 250cc MX standout had excelled upon moving into the premier division - and Justin Cooper once more thrived amongst a roaring crowd throughout practice rounds on Saturday. And once advancing to the moto's that followed, the New York native put forth a strong start, for the initiation of the first race in Washington. He quickly assumed the second-place standing, and would use the entire transmission in order to throttle his way to the ten-minute mark. He maintained the runner-up designation, with Hunter Lawrence behind him. Though both, Hunter Lawrence and Chase Sexton appeared to engage in elevated momentum in the moments thereafter, moving past the Yamaha rider in consecutive areas of the track, on the same lap...which resulted in Cooper sliding to fourth in the running order. Yet as Hunter Lawrence would crash before the finish-line, the opportunity to advance for Justin was clear...resulting in the Yamaha rider sustaining the third-place position on lap nine. From that point onward, his focus was to nullify the charge of Jason Anderson who was in fourth...and he would do just that - excelling to an admirable third-place residency, as all concluded before round two. He initially would run second to begin the latter afternoon moto, but was surpassed by not only Jason Anderson, but Chase Sexton as well...before crashing before the five-minute mark, and sliding to a standing of (roughly) thirteenth! His grit was applaud-worthy, and led to a tenth-place standing being acquired just before the halfway point. That was quickly heightened, however, where Cooper had definitively passed Derek Kelley, Christian Craig, and Freddie Noren, before the twenty-minute mark had transpired! His seventh-place position was admirable when embarking closer and closer to the checkered flag, but Cooper wasn't one to settle. Therefore within the final few laps of action, he really attempted to try and close-in, on the rear wheel of Malcolm Stewart. Cooper would soar off of the Wall Jump in the middle of the track, landing on the conclusion of a makeshift roller with a harsh "thud" accompanying his return to the ground. But even with energy-zapping movements such as that being conducted, Justin proceeded to put forth the highest of effort(s) until engines ceased...where he eventually exited the raceway with a final moto placement of seventh, and fifth overall as final scores were calculated!