race recap
MALCOLM STEWART - GRIT 255 450SX
June 17, 2024
GRIT-255 | 450 SX
June 17th, 2024 3:00 pm
Aspiring to remain within the top-ten, Malcolm Stewart's talent couldn't be denied as action began in Pennsylvania. Despite the muddy track conditions, Stewart was poised and proved that his versatility would flourish on this challenging circuit. He was far, from just a stellar sand rider by growing up in the Southeast...and as the green flag waved in the opening moto, Stewart sped through the finish line section to assemble a standing of twelfth. He was ready to make his way forward - was assertive with his line choice, as well as his minimization of braking points...waiting until the last possible second, to clamp on both front and rear brake rotors among the numerous ruts on the Pennsylvania circuit. He was consistent with his lap-times, and thoroughly looked for creative ways to pass opponents like Derek Kelly, Phil Nicoletti, and Justin Barcia. The latter two riders weren't going to let him drift away that easily, and rivalry of amateur contenders (i.e. Barcia and Stewart, from two decades ago) would persist, well past the twenty-five minute mark! He was reading his cues from his mechanic when speeding past the line of crew chiefs and team members, digging the rear wheel into the pristine soil that was near the start straightaway. Funneling into the two corner sequence that was just ahead of the anthill/roller section that followed, Stewart landed on the throttle and would never look back with the checkered flag waving in the distance...eventually a position of ninth at the checkered flag. Beginning the second-moto near the eighth-place residency, Malcolm was on a similar trajectory to Justin Barcia. He would eventually follow the GasGas rider around Phil Nicoletti after a few minutes of action, and look to compete with the number fifty-one through every portion of the High Point circuit. Both were on a phenomenal pace, but Barcia seemed to possess just a bit more speed in certain corners, when compared to the athlete aboard the number twenty-seven machine. Stewart's expertise though, kept riders like Shane McElrath and Freddie Noren at bay as the sixteenth circuit became closer. Through the final two laps, Stewart would made sure to keep calm and remain focused...though the circuit was in its most demanding form of all. In the end, he would obtain another finish of ninth - which secured ninth overall in the record book, as well...to continue his momentum through the 2024 season.