race recap
JUSTIN COOPER - GRIT 261 450SX
September 10, 2024
GRIT-261 | 450 SX
August 27th, 2024 5:00 pm
The sprint-speed of Justin Cooper was a trait within his arsenal of skills, that was classified as elite. The Yamaha athlete had to be recognized once again while flourishing through practice in Maryland, and his ability to register a notable lap-time led to a solid gate choice being collected for the first moto of the afternoon. He immediately contended for the race lead after rounding the opening corner, though a severe collision with he and Hunter Lawrence over the opening tunnel jump would result in Cooper slamming to the ground. Without his vizor, the strength of Cooper was then showcased - and he returned to his bike, well behind the last rider in the pack. The tenacity of Cooper was worthy of applause, where despite being rattled, and thrown out of rhythm per se, he remained adamant on the idea of gaining as many positions as possible. Minute by minute, the Yamaha rider would inch his way up the leaderboard...finding small clusters of riders and pouncing through the back as if he dictated the pace of all. He was commanding the attention of those outside of the top-thirty as he blitzed by, and then when nearing the points paying position(s), Cooper knew that every standing gained, would help him within the overall championship. Justin was truly leaving it all out on the course with the checkered flag waving in the distance, and as the seventeen-lap contest came to a close, the Yamaha athlete had somehow acquired a notable standing of twentieth! Making the charge to the front of the pack, worthwhile! A much better and cleaner, beginning portion to the second moto was underway for the New York native as he would hover just outside of the top-five. His expectations were to compete alongside the best in the division, and as he acquired a standing of fifth in the opening moments, the roar of Jason Anderson's Kawasaki machine could be heard. Despite being overtaken (initially) by the New Mexico native, Cooper would do his best to keep the number twenty-one machine within a respectable distance per so to speak...almost towing from the rear wheel in different aspects of the track, all the while possessing adequate stamina and late-race charging ability, to tackle the furthered position if the opportunity presented itself. And within the latter stage narrative, that's exactly what occurred - with Cooper not only surpassing Jason Anderson, but Malcolm Stewart as well, with only corners to go! Earning fourth-place for the moto, and salvaging a tenth-place overall score as well!