Page 39 - GRID4

Eslick immediately showcased his newfound comfortability with his R1 after a boost to the electronics package as he was able to match the pace of the top Superstock riders from the very first session on Friday. The Oklahoma native laid down one of his best qualifying performances of the season thus
far as he put himself at the front of the third row of the grid with the seventh fastest time overall. At the start of the first race, Eslick maintained his position on the grid as he found himself in seventh position when the pack came around for the first time. He was involved in a heated battle with Bobby Fong and Mathew Scholtz throughout the opening couple of laps, splitting the pair of them as the trio did their best to keep the leading Superstock 1000 rider, Jake Lewis, in their sights. Eslick was only able to hold Scholtz at bay for the first couple of laps, eventually giving way to his fellow Yamaha rider on the third lap. The Oklahoma native was able to stay in touch with the duo for a couple of laps, but tire wear began to play it’s part and he lost a significant amount of race pace in the second half of
the thirteen lapper. Eslick dropped back into the clutches of Genuine Broaster Chicken Honda’s Jake Gagne just past the halfway point of the race, eventually giving way to the Californian on the eighth lap. The tire troubles held him back from fighting for position and he did his best to maintain a respectable pace for the remaining five laps, salvaging a fourth place in the Superstock 1000 class by the time the checkered flag was flown. In the second race, Eslick found himself in a similar position throughout the opening laps as he battled for position with Gagne yet again. This time around, he was able to get the better of the Honda rider and he settled calmly into seventh position, second overall in the Superstock 1000 class. He rode a calculated race with Scholtz in his sights, but he didn’t quite have the pace to battle with the South African for the win. The race was cut short due to a red flag and Eslick ended up snagging his third podium of the season thus far as the points gap at the top of the Superstock 1000 Championship begins to tighten.
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DANNY ESLICK | BAZZAZ SUPERSTOCK 1000
THEGRID!