Page 28 - Issue 79

SHANE MCELRATH
250 MX / 8TH
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> Looking at the forecast while heading into Thunder Valley, many weren’t sure what to expect, with a chance of rain lingering around the event. As we all know, weather predic- tions can change on an instant, leaving many in attendance a tad bit leery because of the precipitation percentage. Shane McElrath was prepared for whatever, but when the sun decided to come out, and the weather was near perfection, he began to up the ante and truly increase his pace. Slamming the chassis to the fullest extent in practice, you could see the scuffmarks of his tread on the bottom of his fenders. A truly exceptional sight, it was a testament to just how hard he was pushing, and with a practice round like that under his belt, he couldn’t wait for the moto’s to begin. The rst moto would take
off, and an eleventh place start would have him looking from just outside the top ten,
and peaking in. He wouldn’t be complacent in the slightest, looking to move past Sean Cantrell quickly, and he would do so. Shuf ing with Sean Cantrell and Aaron Plessinger, numerous brands would be represented, and he was holding strong for the orange brigade. Fading into the later laps, he would be in a bit of a Kawasaki sandwich, with Forkner and Marchbanks literally swarming around him. The two Pro Circuit riders would be just ahead at the nal stripe, and Mcelrath would be just behind; ninth position would be his. A seventh place start would be his placing for early on in the second moto, but he quickly work his way around Chase Sexton for sixth. Jumping down the large hip jump on the top of the premises, he would once again be swapped around with Plessinger, with the number twenty-three eventually getting the better of him. Hopping over the nish line tabletop on lap eleven, he looked to be settled in ninth, but of course, wouldn’t give up. With Justin Cooper slowly drifting his way, a last ditch effort would be made to propel the number twenty-eight forward. The sweat was beginning to drip from his brow, and both gas and oxygen tanks were beginning to dwindle. A rapid breathing pattern would ensue, but this strong, sturdy East Coast native would just not give in. But it was to no avail, and ninth place would be his; he was then penciled in for eighth overall.
28 GRITMOTO • JUNE 3, 2018