MITCHELL OLDENBURGE - GRIT 237 250SX

MITCHELL OLDENBURG | GRIT-237 | 250 SX

The veteran was back, returning for another round of Monster Energy Supercross as the series traveled to San Diego on Saturday. The number fifty-five had been a mainstay in battling for top-ten overall position(s) thus far, and planned to carry that same persona into the battlefield of So-Cal as lights were brightest for this late January event. After configuring quite the flow in practice, where his continuous pattern of outside lines near the final double flourished (amid qualification) there was little that could stand in the way of MotoConcepts rider as gates were set to rise in the early evening hours. He nodded his head in agreement as the referee pointed across the start straightaway, anxiously anticipating the gate in front of him to fall as he dove into the first two corners of action. As results were then registered around the timing and scoring sensor, Oldenburg's astonishing jump would have him contending for the lead...and after making a pass on Nate Thrasher, the veteran seemed to be amplifying his gap by the second! However a red-flag restart (one in which Oldenburg would crash, before exiting the raceway) forced Mitchell to return to the starting line, muddied from head to toe. Nothing could faze him though, as he proceeded to race within the top-five for the majority of heat one's conclusion...ultimately garnering third, after working his way past Thrasher and others, toward the end of the moto! With championship contenders like Levi Kitchen and Jordon Smith alongside him, Oldenburg was ready to engage in a streak of astounding laps to begin the main event as action began to play out. Safeguarding numerous inside lines in his quest to complete the first five three of action, Oldenburg stormed past the mechanic's area before applying the rear brake when heading into the corner that followed - dragging his rear wheel, but cutting amongst the apex in order to keep opponents behind him, before the grooves became too deep. He was battling with Levi Kitchen for second, and was eventually residing third as the green flag was thrown...though the plethora of competitors who were seeking to surpass him, could be seen for dozen's of feet past his rear wheel. Oldenburg was steadfast and determined to secure a prominent position, especially after being passed by Nate Thrasher and Jordon Smith. He could sense that Honda's Jo Shimoda was persistent in moving forward as well, and despite leaving over the finish line double with undeniable speed, Oldenburg was passed by the number thirty as well as the field worked toward the halfway point of the moto. Levi Kitchen had fallen, and was within an attainable reach/distance of the MotoConcepts rider...but the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki athlete was a bit too proficient and remained distinguished amongst the marred racing landscape. This led to the number fifty-five eventually being solidified in seventh, where he kept Ryder DiFrancesco behind, while taking the checkered flag via another solid performance in the 2024 SX Championship.

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