JORDON SMITH - GRIT 232 250SMX

JORDON SMITH | GRIT-232 | 250 SMX

Proving that his prowess amongst the hybrid Supercross circuit would have to be recognized, Yamaha's Jordon Smith would roll onto the Charlotte facility with a sense of nostalgia after racing within the area in his amateur years of competition. Greeted by family and friends within his pit area, Smith seemed to take the additional feeling of motivation and put it to positive use while garnering a myriad of strong practice laps; and with the gates rising for moto-one not long thereafter, it seemed as if Smith could contend for victory...though a troublesome start (i.e. seventeenth) would have him far from a desired position on the leaderboard as action came to fruition. Yet the will to succeed would overpower the thought of negativity as Smith leapt through the strenuous rhythm lane, keeping the engine of his Yamaha 250F "barking" per se before attacking the right-handed sweeper thereafter. He had occupied tenth by the sixth circuit and overtook ninth shortly thereafter after passing Pierce Brown. Maximus Vohland was the next opponent to be surpassed, where the transponder then listed Smith in eighth as time was set to expire...and upon the checkered flag waving, it was Smith who finished just behind Ryder DiFrancesco (for eighth) prior to exiting the raceway. His start to the second round of racing was remarkable, where he was positioned in fifth and remained here until making an incredible pass on Seth Hammaker to secure fourth as the fourth lap was finalized. Now behind Ryder "D" once more, it was impressive to see the Kawasaki defend the constant barrage of attacks that were cast on behalf of Smith - who swept from outside to inside, squared-up corners, and took alternate routes (amongst option sections) while trying to overpower the Supercross rookie. Messages of encouragement and current placement were scribed on the pit-board, where Smith's standing in the top-five was looking to be solidified with the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth laps now upon him. He (Smith) could sense that Haiden Deegan was powering forward not long behind him as well, which motivated Jordon to persevere as slight instances of fatigue would come into play...but the attrition of the North Carolina native rose above all negative attributes and eventually helped him reside fourth (for fifth overall) for the first round of action in Charlotte - beginning the SMX playoff system with a solid foundation.

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