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JIMMY DECOTIS
250 SX / 6TH
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / HARNISHFEGER DESIGN / WILSON
>> Jimmy Decotis was a happy camper on his way to CenturyLink Field in Seattle. The track was going to be deep, soft and wet just like what he was used to growing up in the New England area. All the elements pointed to Jimmy D having success in the Pacific Northwest, so all that was left to do was sit back and watch him go to work. Decotis has had a relatively good season so far here in 2017 but the Geico Honda rider is still fishing for that first podium coming out of that seven week break and Seattle looked to be the perfect place to get one.
Decotis qualified well in sixth position during the sole qualifying practice session on the day. He jumpstarted his evening by ripping a great holeshot in his heat race. He took the early lead over Aaron Plessinger and the two engaged in a healthy battle during the first half of the race. They sliced and diced back and forth several times before Plessinger finally made the pass stick sending Jimmy D back to second place. He would not be able to retaliate anymore and have to settle with second and a ticket to the main event.
Decotis ripped another epic start in the main rounding lap one in second place. This time around he got shuffled back to fourth on the second lap but he locked in after that. He stayed in fourth and put in some quick laps to stay right on Davalos. His work paid off as he made the move to jump up into third place. He looked to have
it secure when Oldenburg came knocking and stripped the position back away. Decotis looked like he was about to finish fourth but a last lap tip over cost him two spots and he finished sixth. That minor mistake epitomizes his season so far and he hopes to completely turn it around after Easter.
44 GRITMOTO • APRIL 9, 2017