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JUSTIN BRAYTON
450 SX / 7TH
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / HARNISHFEGER DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> Despite now being one of the veterans of the sport, Justin Brayton kept plenty busy during this past offseason. The Iowa product won his second straight Australian Super- cross title and raced both the Geneva SX and Aus-X Open. Clearly Brayton is a firm believer in staying active and racing during the offseason to stay in rhythm and in tip-top shape. The sixteen-year veteran continues to be one of the most fit Supercross racers out there which is remarkable with all the young up and coming riders in the 450 class. He entered Anaheim 1 without any rust and was ready to compete right away. He was determined to go out and show he can still contend in the extremely stacked 450 class. Brayton looked great in the qualifying practice sessions as he went out and notched the seventh fastest time of the day. He looked like he was in midseason stride at the season opener and that would likely bode well come race time. Known to be a great starter
and excellent heat race performer, Brayton jumped out to a third place start in his heat. He opened some eyes by pressing by Cooper Webb on lap two. This quick move paid dividends because on lap three he would be gifted the lead after early leader Broc Tickle would overshoot a jump and go down. Brayton held down the lead for a few laps before Justin Barcia hammered around him. Now back in second, Brayton would hold the pace and end up finishing the race in that position. Not many people had Barcia and Brayton pegged to go first and second in a heat race but they certainly earned it looking fast and competitive early on. Brayton could not match his start from the heat race in the main event as he was only able to climb to ninth place after the opening lap. He would get bumped backwards to tenth by a returning Ken Roczen a couple laps in. He would hold down the spot for a while until Eli Tomac and Webb would crash and hand two positions to Brayton sending him up to eighth. He then set his sights on the 250 East Coast and part-time 450 rider Jeremy Martin. Brayton methodically tracked him down and finally made the pass in the latter stages of the race. This secured him seventh place and he would hold it all the way to the end. It was an impressive first race of the year for Bray- ton proving he still has what it takes to be consistent top ten threat.
26 GRITMOTO • JANUARY 8, 2018