Page 32 - Issue45

SHANE MCELRATH
250 SX / 1ST
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / WILSON
>> In this moment, the salt flats of Utah are of tranquil serenity, where one can embody their own inner being, and take in the full realm of what Mother Nature has to offer. As
far and wide as the eyes can see, a reflection of sun rays beaming off the pristine, white snow like soil, can blind the pupils of whomever is in its presence, captivating anyone who chooses to cross the uniformed plane Nothing seems to be calmer, until a faint echo becomes an abominable roar, and the howl’s of the 250 West Coast Supercross Champi- onship engulf the valley of Salt Lake City. Looking to lead the pack you ask? None other than Shane McElrath. He’s always been characterized as a shepherd amongst sheep, one who can force those who trail him to follow in all his ways, eagerly trying to latch onto his staff at all times. And this particular episode in Salt Lake was no different, as his demeanor was that of a fierce cavalier looking to blaze a trail around the unchartered ter- ritory inside Rice-Eccles Stadium. Cresting the bowl turns with utter precision, you could hear the RPM’s of his machine crackling throughout each particular section inside the coliseum. Every millisecond was an opportunity to gain time, and aggressively attack-
ing the whoop section in 4th gear, as he would downshift into the following 90 degree left-hander. With a satisfying effort as he read the timing charts under the semi awning along with his team, he was now ready to begin the series of gate drops for the evening. As a sixth place gate choice was a little less than stellar, the number 38 TLD ride made the most of what he was dealt, read his cards, and preceded to stack his chips for all they were worth. He rocketed out of the gate, banging through the gearbox, shifting feverishly with the toe his left boot; the result would lead him in the second position as the field rounded the opening lap. He hunted Aaron Plessinger feverishly, soaring through the dif- ficult rhythm sections, never letting the number 23 leave his vision in the foreground. All seemed to be stable, until an epic mistake after a rhythm section forced the Yamaha pilot to hobble off the track; the blessing had been granted, and shipped right to the doorstep of the number 38. He would try to calm his nerves, although his heart tried to jump out his jersey, and push onto the checkered flag. Those last laps feeling like eternity, however, he did it, and crossed the line with another well deserved win; congrats Shane!
32 GRITMOTO • APRIL 23, 2017