SHANE MCELRATH - GRIT 246 450SX

GRIT-246 |450 SX

May 20, 2024 9:45 am

Continuing to show speed aboard his Suzuki machine, the number twelve of Shane McElrath has reiterated that his prowess on the motorcycle is consistently expanding. After proving that his skillset in the mud was top-tier, at earlier rounds this year, McElrath aspired to excel on dry soil too...which would be embarked on in St.Louis. After a strong practice effort, the rider who originally resided in the state of North Carolina sprinted from the gate(s) to a position of sixth in the opening moto. Though combatting the likes of Malcolm Stewart, Cooper Webb, and Hunter Lawrence, Shane resided tenth after a few moments of action - and would actually gain a position in the following circuits as well! Scurrying around the flattest turns on the track, his ability to flat-track the chassis while staying optimal on the throttle generated tremendous applause from the crowd. Sweeping through the back-to-back one-eighty corners, his application of front and rear brake while feathering the clutch (when necessary) was paramount as he crested the tenth-lap marker. A fierce battle between he and Colt Nichols was put forth as the checkered flag neared, and though the Beta rider was able to work his way around, McElrath's momentum appeared palpable while garnering a twelfth at the final flag. For moto two, Shane (once more) applied the throttle, engaged in prominent shifting, and translated his weight to the rear wheel with perfection...to secure seventh for the first two laps of action. Though descending to just outside of the top-ten in the laps thereafter, the fight between he and Justin Barcia would be a means of him continuing to be towed forward per se, while Justin Cooper and Benny Bloss attempted to navigate around him. Though Cooper would position his Yamaha ahead of McElrath's Suzuki, Shane kept Bloss at bay en route to a notable eleventh-place final score before departing to main three. As the stakes were highest, McElrath flourished to an incredible height; battling amongst the top-five alongside Hunter Lawrence, while defending his position (of fifth) from teammate Ken Roczen! Landing from the latter "SX" triple with a sense of precision that enable a brilliant and swift cut through the accompanying left-hander, he appeared to only lose one more position (to Aaron Plessinger), for the duration of the moto! Finishing ahead of Malcolm Stewart, Justin Cooper, and Justin Barcia, McElrath's advancement (to a final residency of seventh) was undoubtedly one of the strongest rides of his 450cc career - residing tenth overall in the record book!

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