Page 10 - GRIT_75

ELI TOMAC
450 SX / 2ND
IMAGE / LANNAN WORDS / MATTINGLY DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> With the series nearing an end, all too often there are those that are throwing in the towel. Those that chalk it up, saying, “it is what it is”, and heading into the outdoors with forgotten inten- tions. It’s an easy thing to do, and many can fall into the trap of taking the easy route. But not Eli Tomac, who looks at each particular race, and even practice session for that matter, as a place of clean slate. The past has been swiped clean, and he truly focuses on the present. It’s propelled him this far in his career, and looked to provide another solid outing, for Salt Lake City. Off the
cuff, man oh man did he look solid in these whoop sections, as they were back-to-back and full of technicality. Rocketing past the mechanics area, it was a mutual continuous nod of reassurance,
as they both agreed he was on the right track. The nal lap of practice, gave him an instant spike
of con dence, knowing whom he’d chased down, and whom he’d pulled from. The heat race was now upon him, and with top tapping antics, the gate would fall, and immediate shift to third would ensue. Although his left elbow remained at a perfect ninety-degree angle, the right arm was directly perpendicular to the ground. The rear tread of the 450 absolutely chewed up this brown turf, push- ing him to a lackluster seventh place on lap number one. Generating con dence with every passing lap, he and championship rival Jason Anderson were eventually in close proximity to one another. It was all he could do to keep the rear wheel sunk into the ground, and he would subsequently be found riding a gear tall in some spots. Navigating both lines through the left-handed two way, his segment time through this portion of track was exceptional. The white ag would come out, but it wouldn’t be a sign of surrender. He eyed the checkered with laser like focus, and would hold off An- derson after making the move, for second. From drones above the stadium, all within the surround- ings could see the ame from the start gates rise, and the 450 main begin. Congested through the rst lap, he would take the tenth place spot. With Anderson falling, Tomac felt it was his opportunity to lose, and would keep charging, regardless of how much the track detorriated. Sixth behind Bray- ton, with fteen minutes to go, you could tell he was making moves; but not sure if he had enough time to do what was necessary. He would rapidly gain on Baggett for second, and sure to make the pass; when suddenly, an inside mishap in the two-way would cause him to crash into mother earth! And Baggett would keep chugging along! However, Tomac was determined to avenge his defeat, and would come back, laps later, to strike and eventually make the pass. With Musquin riding a spectacular race in the front, it was just he and this blue-grooved layout prior to the checkered ag. Tripling on, and running the outside-line through the two-way; it was all he could do to gain time, but subsequently, as he worked his way around Baggett, he would run out of time. The overall n- ish would be second, and we would eagerly await Vegas next week.
10 GRITMOTO • APRIL 29, 2018