race recap
JUSTIN HILL | GRIT-220 | 450SX
May 16, 2023 · Justin Hill
JUSTIN HILL | GRIT-220 | SX 450
Following a strong practice effort in Utah, Team Tedder's Justin Hill would be an immediate contender for a successful finish later on in the evening hours. However, there were still a multitude of factory riders who were contending for top-three honors...but Oregon's Hill wasn't afraid of the challenge that was about to ensue. For his heat race, his start was a bit lackluster (according to his standards) but there was little that could deter the number forty-six from moving ahead. Lap after lap, Justin yearned for a stronger gate choice in the main event; and proceeded to make a number of passes amongst rhythm sections, rutted corners, and a deteriorated whoop-pad with crafty lines from start to finish throughout the short segment. Ninth eventually became eighth, and then seventh, and so-on...until arriving in fifth, not too far behind Justin Starling. Yet once claiming the aforementioned position with finality, there was little that could stop him from climbing even higher in the finale! Following the starting sequence to the main event, Hill would conclude the first lap around the sixth place position and steadily begin to pick riders off. He would follow Aaron Plessinger forward, and took note of the mud-specialist's line selection, which allowed him to pass Justin Starling and Kyle Chisholm. At that point, for the conclusion of lap five, Hill would stand fourth - while seeking to go even further! Continuing to climb the leaderboard, Justin couldn't be stopped and eyed the rear wheel of Adam Cianciarulo as the timer passed by the halfway point. It was with just under ten minutes remaining, when Hill would notice a window of opportunity in the whoops (though he nearly would crash over the tunnel jump beforehand); along with a myriad of lapped riders scattered around in the immediate vicinity. Therefore Hill would bombard his way to the inside and nearly slide out in the process, but ultimately shot his way into third with a release of the clutch when attacking the rhythm section after the moguls! Cianciarulo would have no other option but to oblige, and allowed the number forty-six machine to be solidified into a podium position! In the roughly ten minutes that followed, Justin's true talents would flourish on this rutted racing canvas; where little could deter him from soaring through the Utah skyline. This would be a phenomenal finish if he and the Team Tedder assembly could claim the feat, and with composure, that's exactly what Hill would do! Undoubtedly one of the highest points in his career, the Oregon native would be well on his way to a successful rest of the season; in preparation for what's to come in 2024!