Page 126 - Issue-35

JIMMY ALBERTSON
450 SX / OKLAND
IMAGE / MPG WORDS / ARMSTRONG DESIGN / WILSON
>> After a year of running the Motorcycle Superstore Seven MX team in the 250 division Top Jimmy is back racing in 2017 under a complete privateer effort in the premier 450 class. Although Albertson was able to run a success- ful effort in 2016 as team manager and rider the team ended up folding at the end of the year, leaving Jimmy looking for a way to ride Supercross this year. With the help of longtime sponsors, FMF, and Merge Racing the fan favorite was able to put together a solid effort for the season. Although Top Jimmy is on a outdated privateer Suzuki machine he has been able to get great starts this season, a string of bad luck has made it a struggle to be in the main event. Albertson is a contender for main events each weekend but small mistakes from him and some run ins with other riders have kept him out of a two finals. The Oklahoma native seemed to be able to hold his composure at round 5 keeping himself out of the Last Chance Qualifier for the first time this season. To get there Jimmy got his privateer machine out of the gate in 2nd behind Justin Brayton in the semi race. At the end of the first rythme section the #67 was able to take the lead away from Brayton and tried to hide from the field. He found himself in a first lap battle with fellow Oklahomian Justin Bogle. the RCH rider of Bogle got passed by Ryan dungey and Jimmy was now dealing with fire from the champ. @jimmyalbertson was able to lead the first lap before giving the top spot to Dungey after the first rhythm on lap 2. Bogle quickly followed Ryan and soon after Brayton made a pass back on Al- bertson through the whoops. In the late stages of the Semi Friese got himself around Jimmy, leaving Jimmy to take the final transfer. The main event didn’t start the way Jimmy would have liked getting tangled up on the start stretch putting him dead last around the holeshot. At the midway point Jimmy was in 18th which would’ve tied his best finish of the year. Alex Ray and Cade Cla- son made there way around Albertson in the final half leaving Jimmy in 21st.
126 GRITMOTO • FEBRUARY 5, 2017