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DIESEL THOMAS
65CC (7-9)
IMAGE / PARADISE WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / WILSON
>> When you have a name like Diesel, you must be able to live up to the preconceived notions that your identity generates. The name alone can sound very intimidating, and the frightening thing is, his riding style backs it up, and his consistent results are even scarier. He looked to pack a punch coming into this weekend’s festivities, and boy did he do just that. A second place start
in heat one, saw him within a group of some of the fastest competitors in the arena, but he held his own, battling within a trio of Drew Adams, Kason Little, and himself. Turning laptimes in the low 42 second range for the majority of the moto, the Nebraska Cornhusker would stay strong, yet fall to just a tad bit of pressure, and be pushed back to the final spot in the closing moments. He would return for redemption, however. With a decent gatepick, he knew his reaction time would have to be imminent in order to generate a solid position in the early going; mission accomplished, as he found himself in the lead as they began the 8-lap journey. Each lap, clicking away 40-second times, his stamina was truly remarkable. Never showing signs of fatigue, he continued to click away, all the while fighting tooth and nail with Ryder Thompson, who made
the pass on lap six. Neck and neck, the two managed to rub bars and plastic within the series of chicanes, and at one point, wheeling the mogul’s beside each other. Neither he or Thompson was budging, as they both wanted the title with all of their inner being. The gladiator within him arose, as he mounted a charge, and was willing to go out on his shield, dive-bombing past the number 451, and retaking the lead with one lap to go. He would hang on for the win, and the taste of a championship never felt sweeter.
52 MPGDIGITAL• MAY • 2017