race recap
SHANE MCELRATH | GRIT-220 | 450SX
May 16, 2023 · Shane McElrath
SHANE MCELRATH | GRIT-220 | SX 450
Continuing to prove that he still possessed the skill(s) from his astounding 250cc run, Suzuki's Shane McElrath would roll into the final round of the 2023 SX Championship with confidence as he sped onto the raceway for qualification. McElrath had a unique way of carving through various bowl turns, where he stood atop the pegs until nearly bypassing the apex, prior to sitting down and seat-hopping his way through the toughest of whoop sections; which portrayed incredible confidence in both, his skill and machine as heat racing action loomed in the distance. As rain then began to fall for the night show, the technical intricacies of McElrath's race-craft were presented for the crowd to analyze; where they applauded and cheered as the first few laps of heat one action came to fruition. He would weave through the pack as he worked his way forward from ninth, passing Josh Cartwright and Freddie Noren en route to garnering the seventh place position on the leaderboard. Doing all in his power to obtain clear vision, he would avoid some of the main lines (at times) in order to devote from the line of roost that was thrown on behalf of his adversaries; which led him to sixth, around Kevin Moranz in the closing moments of this divisional round. Eventually finalized here, McElrath was ready to unleash a number of strong laps in the main event, regardless of the track's condition. The number twelve rider would slide through various insides to make passes in the early going, wheel-tapping his way through the whoops (at times) in order to keep a prominent flow going into single digit territory. His opening standing on the leaderboard (which was fourteenth), was quickly erased and translated into a top-ten position after a few laps had been undergone. He would launch over the (slight) camelback triple before the "SX" triple with extreme confidence, landing on the throttle before flying through the air with expertise. He was solidified in tenth at the conclusion of lap seven, while aspiring to make more moves on Kevin Moranz and fellow members of the 450cc brigade...which eventually occurred where, an eighth-place standing was eventually solidified while attempting to track down Justin Starling. He caught (and passed) the former Loretta Lynn's standout with only a few minutes remaining on the race clock; which allowed him to possess seventh with the checkered flag in sight. Nevertheless, McElrath remained confident as he stormed toward the final double, obtaining seventh with an exceptional ride in the muddy conditions of this challenging Utah circuit.