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JASON ANDERSON
450 SX / 1ST
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / HARNISHFEGER DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> Not too many had Jason Anderson pegged to be the points leader at the beginning of the season. He was over- shadowed by Eli Tomac, the return of Ken Roczen, and the million-dollar man Marvin Musquin. However, all three of those riders have had their fair share of inconsistences in the early stages while Anderson has remained strong and consistent at every round so far. That has allowed Anderson to build a comfortable points lead heading into Oakland. He has one win on the season, but his fourth place finish a week ago might have been his most impressive. He struggled early and actually got passed back to eighth. But he was able to regroup and charge back to fourth showing everyone that he has the grit and championship caliber fire needed to make things happen on off nights. Anderson picked up where he left off in Oakland, beginning his day by setting the third fastest lap time of his class. He remained strong
and determined aboard his Rockstar Factory Husqvarna machine and was looking forward to stretching out his points lead once the racing began. The gate dropped in Anderson’s heat race, but he was gobbled up in the first turn. He did not round the first lap until eight other riders did before him. He did not want to sit back in ninth for long, so he made
a few quick moves to seventh on lap two but then had some ground to make up on Vince Friese in sixth. It took him a few laps, but he finally made the pass but by that time, the top five riders were long gone, and Anderson would have to settle with the sixth-place heat race finish. Anderson seemed to be riding tighter than usual and seemed uncomfortable with the track. To be fair, the track was brutal for everyone, so he would surely go back and make the proper adjust- ments needed for the main event. Anderson started off the main event with an interesting decision. He lined up way on the outside of the gate far from where the other top riders in the class were. It was a bold strategy and it didn’t really pay off, but it wasn’t awful either. He emerged from lap one in sixth and quickly made a move on Peick to commandeer fifth place on lap two. He stalked Blake Baggett for a few laps and made the pass on him as well pushing him up to fourth on lap four. After that it was a game of cat and mouse between he and Musquin. They weren’t close enough for a battle, but they would yo-yo the distance between them for several laps. Then finally around the midway point, Anderson found his groove and barged in for the pass and made it happen, although it did take Musquin to the ground. Nonetheless, An- derson was now in third but not for long. Race leader Cole Seely would throw it away his chance at a victory by crash- ing on the same lap Anderson passed Musquin, so Anderson would inherit second place right away. His sights were now set on the one rider ahead of him, Ken Roczen. Anderson kept clicking off quick laps, hoping for a mistake from the German rider. With just a few minutes left in the race, Anderson got his opening. Roczen got mired in lap traffic allowing Anderson close enough to show a wheel. Then with two laps to go, Roczen made a huge mistake allowing Anderson to take the lead. Roczen would retaliate and make the pass back as they took the white flag. Anderson bobbled halfway through the final lap and it looked like he would settle for second but in the next section Roczen bobbled big time and it would be enough for Anderson to soar by him. Anderson held on for the final three corners to win his second race of the season in dramatic fashion. It was the most thrilling finish we have had all year and Anderson admitted on the podium that was his best race ever. The points leader has a fifteen point points lead and all the momentum shifted in his direc- tion as the season heads down south to San Diego.
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GRITMOTO • FEBRUARY 4, 2018