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ELI TOMAC
and away from traffic. Nailing the double-double over the start straight, he was smooth as silk throughout the opening laps. The
track, while awfully slick from the earlier rain, was something that he could figure out with each passing moment. Looking to make
time on Justin Bogle who was in close proximity, the two were alphas amongst the pack around. He would charge until the absolute
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dyer end, taking the final lap in a respectable fifth place position. The fans would then begin to rise to their feet, in high anticipation of what was to come in the moments ahead. He would click into the gear, and shoot down the start straight with all of his might. Flicking and scrubbing the machine beneath to the best of his ability, he would end the first lap near tenth. It was then a game of attrition, a matter of realization to decipher what was at stake, and where he stood. With his manhandling style, he would begin to weed through the competition, picking off the best names in the sport one by one. Sliding the rear end of his 450 around this ultra- slick surface, he would have a hard time fighting his way through Aaron Plessinger. Yet, he would persist, finally breaking the rookie near the fifteen-lap mark. With Wilson just ahead, now somewhat wading in the water, Tomac would attack in the closing moments; grabbing a handful and moving forward past the Husqvarna. A third would be a solid foundation to begin the series, all things considered.
20 GRITMOTO • JANUARY 7, 2019
“I FELT REALLY GOOD IN THE LAST SIX TO EIGHT LAPS; THAT WAS BIG FOR US TO MAKE UP THOSE POSITIONS.”