Page 16 - Issue_66_final

JASON ANDERSON
450 SX / 4TH
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / HARNISHFEGER DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> Jason Anderson is the man with all the power and momentum in Monster Energy Supercross. The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna rider comes into Arlington after winning the last two races and three out of the last ve. He has been without a doubt the most consistent rider in the series with his only non-podium nish being a fourth place. He has built up a whopping twenty-eight-point points lead over second place Justin Barcia. Few, if any, could say they saw this kind of domination from Anderson before the season began. The maturity in his performances and riding style have been substantial and is quite remarkable if you think about how his biggest weakness in the past was his consistency. He has certainly righted that wrong here in 2018 and he looked to keep the ball rolling here on the east coast.
Anderson continued to look fast during the qualifying practice sessions. He ebbed and owed his way to the third fastest lap time of the day. He appeared to be locked in and ready to go after another main event win once the night show began.
Anderson got a decent start in his heat race and rounded lap one in fourth place. He saw Tomac in the lead and did not want to let him get away. So, he quickly made passes on Blake Baggett and then on his teammate, Dean Wilson, in successive laps to move into second. Despite working his way up there by lap three, Tomac had already stretched out a little lead. Anderson chipped away just a bit at the lead, but the checkered ag would wave before he could make any signi cant moves to make a run at Tomac. He would bring home second in the heat but looked to nish one spot better in the main event.
Anderson got the main kicked off with a great start. He got through the rst few corners in second place but un- fortunately for him, Tomac got through the rst few corners cleaner after nailing the holeshot. Tomac was able to instantly build a cushion on the opening lap making life tougher on Anderson. Anderson settled in on lap two and began getting into a rhythm. He knew it was going to be a long race, so he was content with keeping Tomac right in front of him and not pushing the envelope. But on lap four, Anderson relaxed too much and found himself on the ground after a simple mistake on a corner. He was able to remount fairly quickly and get going again in seventh. He had the pleasure of trying to pass Weston Peick, who was in sixth, if he wanted to make it another further back up the eld. Anderson did everything he could to pass Peick for a handful of laps but Peick had an answer for ev- erything he threw at him. Growing frustrated, Anderson grabbed a handful and nally powered passed him on lap nine. Next in line was Cooper Webb. Anderson got right on his rear wheel almost as soon as he passed Peick and they endured a similar battle. Webb was stingy and was reluctant to give up the spot, but Anderson eventually got by on lap thirteen. Two laps after that, he’d blitz right by Cole Seely in the whoops to take over fourth. This is where his charge would die out as Blake Baggett was too far ahead in third for him to catch. Anderson would have to settle with the fourth-place nish. he was unable to make it three straight wins, but he was able lessen the damage and salvage some points while he climbed back to fourth after his early crash.
16 GRITMOTO • FEBRUARY 18, 2018