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JUSTIN STARLING
250 SX / A2
IMAGE / MPG WORDS / LANNAN DESIGN / WILSON
>> Justin Starling is now in his 5th full season of pro racing. Justin has been doing everything he can to prove his spot in the sport for the last few years. He has taken home many top 15 finishes but is assuredly hungry for more. So far this season, he has been danc-
ing around that top 15 position with an impressive 14th place finish last weekend in San Diego. Justin started off his day in Anaheim with just two practices on the rutted track due to the California rain. He was able to qualify 19th and was ready to do battle. When the gate dropped for 250 Heat 2, Justin got a great start and was counted in 7th place as the riders came around for the green flag. He charged up to make a move on Zac Commons on the next lap and was now sitting in 6th. He was able to hold the spot all the way to the finish line and was ready to do battle in Anaheim. Justin lined up all the way to the inside and was pushing hard to get a wheel on the rest of the field when the gate dropped for the Main. Unfortunately, he was pinched off quickly and struggled to keep the bike on two wheels through the first corner. Justin made the best of the situation and was able to keep the bike up and make some passes in the next corner. By the third lap, he was running in an impressive 11th position. With about ten minutes left on the clock, Justin was forced to finally give up his position to a hard charging Kyle Chisholm. Soon followed were Jer- emy Martin, Nicoletti, and Mcconahy, all pushing Justin back to 16th place. Justin was able to hold this spot down all the way to the finish and would go to Arizona determined to get back into the top fifteen.
128 GRITMOTO • JANUARY 22, 2017