Page 76 - ISSUE _38

JOSH GRANT
450 SX / 9TH
IMAGE / MPG WORDS / KUHLHOFF DESIGN / WILSON
>> After a turbulent round five in Oakland, Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Josh Grant found himself with an injured left thumb and unfortunately had
to sit out for round six at Arlington. He was able to make his comeback last weekend in Minneapolis and finished with a fourteenth place position in the Main Event. There have definitely been some bumps in the road over the past few weeks for Grant. As the Wildomar, California native pulled up to the gate in the Georgia Dome, it was challenging for any of us to determine how the night would pan out for him. The crowd’s suspense was immeasurable as the gate dropped for the second 450 heat of the night. Grant got off to a truly awesome start. He was quickly able to gain momentum early in the race and pass Friese for second, putting the Kawasaki rider between Baggett in first and Musquin in third. Riding smart and steady, Josh Grant held onto sec-
ond place, putting him in a perfect position to head straight forward into the Main Event. Georgia was looking peachy keen for the number thirty-three. Semis and LCQs rapidly flew by and the red Georgia clay became more deteriorated. With a gnarly section of whoops and a sand section that was no vacation, riders going into the Main Event knew what they were up against and were ready to head into battle. The gate was hoisted up and the thirty- second countdown began. Three seconds...two seconds...one...the gate drops. Immediately off the start, Grant finds himself in tenth place. By lap two, Jason Anderson passes Grant putting him in the eleventh spot followed by Musquin making a pass on him placing him in a twelfth place position by lap 5. The number thirty-three carries on and is able to move into eleventh place. Josh Grant found an inner flame later in the race and is able to gain a few more positions and he flies past the checkered flag within the competitive top ten holding a very commendable ninth place finish. Josh Grant is now twelfth place in points heading into round nine next weekend in Toronto.
76 GRITMOTO • FEBRUARY 26, 2017