Page 80 - Issue-35

Justin Brayton
450 SX / OKLAND
IMAGE / MPG WORDS / ROEWER DESIGN / WILSON
>> Justin Brayton has had a season filled with some highs and some lows considering its only been four races. Last weekend he was able to get his best finish yet of 6th place. Really feeling the Arizona track conditions, Brayton was hoping to keep that endurance going. Hav- ing some good practice runs the Moto Concepts Honda rider qualified into the night show in 11th. As the gate dropped for his first race of the night Brayton charged out of it, but couldn’t quite get into that qualify- ing spot. He finished off his heat race in 7th, sending him to the semi. Hoping for a better start Brayton pulled the trigger out of the gate putting him near the front around the first turn. Brayton held it down moving onto the main event with a third place in his semi. Now for the big show the #10 Honda rider didn’t have the best reaction time out
of the gate and was near the back of the pack around the first turn. He was quick to make the moves though and put himself into 13th not even a minute into the race. It didn’t last long with the craziness of the beginning of the race he fell back again to 15th. Trying to keep the battle going Brayton kept the throttle pinned and ready to pass at any chance he got. Keeping his eyes wide open and making minimal mistakes he once again moved up but this time into 12th. About eight minutes into the race he began to battle Friese for his spot. He wasn’t quite able to hang on and fell back. With just a few minutes left of the race he gained his spot back in 12th and held onto it. Riding smart and steady through to the finish Brayton finished off round five with a 12th place finish.