Page 38 - ISSUE_62

MITCHELL OLDENBURG
250 SX / 5TH
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> The vast majority of these professional’s, competed at numerous amateur nationals, on their quest to fulfilling their dreams. There many stops included races such as, the Winter Olympics, Ponca City (now the MotoPlayground Race), and none other than Loretta Lynn’s. Concerning the latter, and its regional counterparts, the Olympic scoring format of the lowest total winning, spread out over three different races, was an idea that plagued the thoughts of many. Consistency, endurance, and strong-will, had to be three imminent factors, in order to claim championships. Who would have ever thought, that notion would be brought to Super- cross? Well, look no further, as the lights of Anaheim two, provided a major shakeup in the routine we all know as heats and mains, with the three-moto format being introduced to the glitz and glamor of television. Mitchell Oldenburg was prepared, as he’d always been willing to go the extra mile throughout the week, in training for competition. Practice was a constant flash of speed, rattling off lap after lap, to the point that he was simulating the main events
to come. Styling over the finish line, he would land off the tabletop with his right foot out, preparing to rail the following bowl turn; each mechanic behind the paddock seemed to look at one another, baffled by what they just saw. This type of effort would translate into the main events as well, as he slashed through the field for the opening round. The chassis would be- gin to dance down the start straight, his back end fluttering to the right. Dicing with the usual contenders, he showed no signs of wavering, even with sweat beginning to fill the foam on
his lenses. Skying through the stratosphere over the foul-line triples, a subtle look behind saw the number ninety-two at his bay; he would finish an astounding third, after a mistake from McElrath in the latter portion of the moto would propel him forward. For the second round of the trilogy, he would again be fighting with all of his might, in order to stay with the pack that led the charge. Single file through the far roller section, he looked to break out through the high-gear whoop section, riding the far line by the Tuf Blocks. Shifting up, rather than down, he would stay ahead of the likes of Phil Nicoletti; the eleventh place start wouldn’t help any- thing in the end, finishing sixth. With the last round upon him, both a sigh of relief and focus came from beyond the snout of his shell. Mimicking a Marvin Musquin type tap through the small whoop section, he would continue to press forward, as each lap would fad away. A tad bit of leg swag, with the right, inside boot over the finish, indicated to his mechanic, that he felt the flow for this particular sanction. And as the checkered flag would fly, the sixth place in the moto, would place his cumulative score with a final finish of fifth overall.
38 GRITMOTO • JANUARY 21, 2018