race recap
MALCOLM STEWART - GRIT 261 450SX
September 10, 2024
GRIT-261 | 450 SX
August 27th, 2024 5:00 pm
Continuing to display phenomenal speed in practice was Husqvarna's Malcolm Stewart. The racer who sported the number twenty-seven was incredible when flying through the array of elevation changes on the Budds Creek circuit, and transitioned into the first moto with fearlessness as the field would surge into turn number one. He immediately could be spotted banging bars, scraping plastics, and fighting for position(s) with the utmost grit...which eventually led to a standing of tenth, after five minutes of action. Stewart wasn't going to settle though, and advanced to eighth after passing both, Henri Jacobi and Broc Tickle. Both of the veterans were riding extremely well, but Stewart's crafty, inside to outside lines were pathways that weren't necessarily adopted by others in the field...and the Floridian could make passes when windows didn't seem to necessarily be presented! Scrubbing his way over the top of Henry Hill, Malcolm's tenacity could be heard with acceleration rev's and fierce braking as he clamped on both, front and rear brake rotors. All of the chassis was being used to the highest degree as he then stormed past teammate Christian Craig...and he was seeking to claim an even higher position, if he didn't run out of time! Though just short of overtaking Jason Anderson at the finish line, Malcolm's efforts were applauded by the crowd to earn a sixth place finish as he exited the raceway! An incredible start to the second moto would nearly showcase Malcolm in the lead, but after a few moments transpired, Stewart had established a flow that was equivalent to fourth. He remained here for a substantial amount of time, until Chase Sexton's wash-out would propel Malcolm into third. Though quickly surpassed by the Illinois native, Stewart remained resilient in the fourth-place residency...and carried a phenomenal pace through the final laps of racing. He and Justin Cooper would undergo a serious battle with the finish-line in sight, and Stewart's line of defense was extremely difficult for the Yamaha rider to try and work around. Even with the number thirty-two eventually making his way by, Stewart would have over twenty-seconds between and the sixth-place rider (Anderson) as he reached the checkered flag...earning eventual moto scores of sixth and fifth, for fourth overall - which was an excellent feat to try and replicate at the upcoming Ironman National, along with the SMX playoff's that are set to begin in the approaching weeks as well.