Page 60 - ISSUE49

CHRISTIAN CRAIG
450 MX / 12TH
IMAGE / CAVAZOS WORDS / KUHLHOFF DESIGN / WILSON
>> After a twelfth place finish at the Hangtown season opener last weekend, Honda rider and SoCal native Christian Craig came to Hangtown looking to make his hometown crowd proud and prove that he was a truly a podium contender at Glen Helen. Off the first moto start, Craig found himself tearing through the pack off the gate and flying out of the never-ending start straight- away in the third place spot. The Southern California fans were coming alive as local Christian Craig was showing everyone what he was all about. After a pass by Josh Grant, Craig sat in fourth place. The rough terrain did not seem to be phasing the number 48 too much as he flowed around the track, even after having a slight bobble resulting in missing the sand roller section, Craig did not miss a beat and comfortably kept the 450 machine in the fourth place position: where he stayed until the checkered flag flew. Christian Craig lined up for the second moto with confidence and an overall finish on the podium could definitely be a reality after his moto one performance. The gates dropped for the second moto and Christian Craig was on fire as he grabbed the Motosport. com Holeshot and found himself in the lead. For the first four laps, Craig was on fire in the first place position with a heated battle between Baggett and Anderson happening behind him. Baggett and Anderson got around Craig, putting him in the third place spot- this is when bad luck struck. Christian Craig went down hard. Holding his wrist, he swung a leg over the fence, and walked off the track, unable to finish the race. The talented Christian Craig was a first place contender all day, but unfortunately Glen Helen was a beast of track that could take anyone down in the blink of an eye. Craig went 4-29 for the day, finishing twelfth overall.
60 GRITMOTO • MAY 28, 2017