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The goals were short and simple for this weekend’s festivities: finish both motos, and live to ride another day. Pushing all distractions, fears, and naysaying comments to his rearview mirror, Stewart rounded the initial bend in the top ten of moto one. Prior to the halfway point, Bubba seemed to lurk on the outside of the single digits, just looking over the summit and peaking in.
He held steady, each lap gaining confidence and glistening with brilliance that we all have seen in the past; however, he wasn’t getting ahead of himself, and attempted to stay true to his pre gate-drop promise. Ninth was just at his fingertips, when he began to see an orange gleam in his peripheral vision; it was that of Justin Brayton. Swerving from side to side, he flipped the switch to defensive mode, and actually held the KTM off for quite a while. However, he realized the pace was a tad too intense, and let JB10 by with a few laps to go. He would bring home a tenth place finish, and a smile that was as wide as the semi. Following another twelfth place start in moto two, Stewart seemed to be riding at a comfortable pace, just enough to stay afloat and hopefully come away with a top ten overall. To the dismay of many however, nearing lap five, the number 7 pulled off and was out of competition; taking 15th overall on the day and a disheartening result once again.
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