Page 96 - MPG19

theGRIT
IMAGE/JACKEDWARDS
For now, though, it seems we’ll have to wait to witness Hill’s assault on the 250 front lines as Glen Helen proved to be another disappointing weekend. In qualifying, Justin placed 16th which is a good position but still would seem to be below his capabilities, Hill turned to moto one to get back on track. Unfortunately, the start held Hill to the back of the pack where mistakes on lap one are inevitable. After crossing the finish line and beginning to settle into battle-mode, Justin was deep in the back outside of the top thirty-five. From that moment, like magic, Hill began grabbing positions in bunches. Near the end of lap three, Hill had moved up to 30th and found himself in 27th a lap later. Then he picked off the next five riders in a matter of a few turns to get to 22nd by lap five. Then 21st, then 20th, then he stopped. He hit a wall near the the two-thirds mark seemed to lose all momentum. It didn’t take long for his second wind to catch up and carry him forward in a final push before the checkers
and airing out the 180-footer every lap on the way. Before long Justin made his way into 7th before the races end and finished the moto in an extremely strong fashion. As moto two approached, it didn’t appear as if Justin had hurt himself, although exhaustion is always a factor, but the #36 chose not to line up and left the crowd wondering about his absence. With the strong first moto, he still finished 20th overall and earned some points. Looking to next week, only time will tell if we’ll see Justin return at Thunder Valley but as of now, there doesn’t seem to be any reason to doubt his resurgence.
96 GRITMOTO • MAY.30.16
words/BRENTECKERT