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JASON ANDERSON
450 SX / 2ND
IMAGE / REEVES WORDS / WARNER DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> “Points are good, but I want to win” is what JA21 had to say on the podium after finishing runner-up to Eli Tomac Saturday night in St. Louis. Jason has been on cruise control in the Championship lately. Throughout the first half of the season every weekend Jason put himself in good positions and took wins and good finishes, and with few exceptions has maintained that, but Jason’s a racer, a gritty one at that and if he can hold on to this Championship he doesn’t want to be known as that guy who just had good finishes, but very rarely won. Jason looked to be headed for a win early Saturday night. A qualifying position of fifth would not be the way Jason wanted to begin his day, but like riders with Championship poise do, Jason would prevail. After finishing off the podium in fourth place last weekend in Daytona Jason did what he needed to do to get back on track towards a win in Heat Two. He shot of the gate
for a third-place start and by lap two he would seal the deal for first place. He would spend the next five minutes remaining in the race with rivals Blake Baggett and Eli Tomac breathing down his neck with his lead not extending to over 1.5-2 seconds until the final lap he would break away to a three-plus second lead. Jason looked
to be on track to put himself back on top of the podium. Attempting to use the same gate that fostered his start success in his Heat Race Jason would come out of the gate looking to nab another top starting position ahead of his competitor’s. He could probably see himself slipping into first with a clear track ahead to break away from the pack and get another win he has been chasing. Unfortunately, right at the end of the start straight the last rider he wanted to see cut across him would steal his chances as Eli Tomac slid right in front of Jason and took the lead. He tried to hold the inside and make run back, but it just wasn’t enough. Anderson would spend the rest of the main event in his own world, too far behind Eli Tomac to challenge for first, yet far enough ahead of third place rider Marvin Musquin to remain comfortable. Coming into Indianapolis next week he will continue to maintain a healthy points lead, forty-two to be exact, but Jason wants to win and will do everything he can to get it!
10 GRITMOTO • MARCH 18, 2018