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SUPERSPORT
JDBEACH
Beach qualified in third position for the second race in a row after a
tricky qualifying session that was plagued with cold, damp weather.
The Washington native clocked a 1:29.26, about eight tenths off the
pole position time, but he wasn’t at all concerned with that disparity.
Beach utilized his grid position to command the inside of the first corner, immediately propelling himself to the lead ahead of Valentin Debise and Garrett Gerloff. The three of them immediately began
to separate themselves from the rest of the field in a battle of their own just as they did at Road Atlanta. As the trio set up to brake into turn one for the second time, things became too close for comfort and Debise was forced off into the grass, leaving the race to Beach and Gerloff. The two of them provided the fans with an incredible battle throughout the first five laps, swapping positions back and forth. Beach was much stronger on the brakes between turns three and four, allowing him to cut a much tighter apex and steal the line away from his teammate. It wasn’t long until Gerloff became privy to the move and found a way to stifle it, as he began to build a small gap in the lead. Beach rode within his limits and did his best to stay
within touching distance of the Texan, but he wasn’t quite able to match his pace throughout the entire distance, settling smartly for second position. In the second race, Beach was aware that Gerloff may have had the superior pace and he developed a tactic to try and earn himself the victory. The Washington native shot out into the lead yet again at the start, commanding the pace from the front of the field. It was a two man battle between himself and Gerloff after Debise crashed out in turn one on the second lap, providing a carbon copy of the first race. Beach led the majority of the laps up to the halfway point, strategically striking back every time Gerloff made a move for the lead in order to break the Texan’s rhythm.
He was able to use his dirt tracking skills to slide his R6 up the inside of his teammate at will and this time Beach was able to stay in touch for the entire race. The fight for the victory came down to the last lap and Beach managed to hold the lead all the way to the finish line, scoring his second victory of the season as he moves to second place in the overall points standings.
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