Page 110 - NOVEMBER-18

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had this killer line through the back left sweeper, where he cut in at the last possible second, and miss a lot of the hefty chop that was accumu- lating at the entrance of the corner. It was the little milliseconds worth of actions that would pay in the end. But on lap four, he continued to set a blistering pace, where fifth would now become a podium run of third. He would then up ante, and set the fastest lap of anyone, on lap five. This showed that his stamina was up to par, and the factor of something like arm pump, didn’t seem to getting into his way. His late race charge, for
a third place finish, was something to propel him confidently into moto number two. Grasso would absolutely rip the holeshot for moto number two, where he would take a lead, with Caleb Stephens close behind. Displaying a sense of maturity, he wouldn’t ever look back to tell who
was knocking at his door; only forward for the remainder of the moto. The strategy would work, as chaos and battles would rage on just behind him. Taking a brief moment to pause in mid-air on the white flag lap, he wanted to soak in all the glory, realizing what he was about to accomplish. In just a few short turns, he would capture this glorious championship, and make the drive back to Temecula with a title in his hands. And just like that,
he would do it, leaving Ponca City full of cheer, with a number one plate added to his resume.
JESSE GRASSO >>
The novice class offers a plethora of adventure and adrenaline for the fans on the line. You have those riders who are attempting there first ever national, next to thirty some-odd competitors on the line. There are those who’s “want to” and inner-driving factors will have them on the ground, rather than losing the position they’re in. And then, like Jesse Grasso, there are guys who are outright fast to begin with and come to the line looking to dominate and move on to a storied career. Jesse Grasso knew the types of legends that had been involved in this race prior to the inception of his career, and he too wanted
a storybook ending to his Ponca City run as well. Letting the two-stroke rip off the line, he was pushed a bit into a bottle- neck effect, as he found himself in seventh across timing and scoring. Quickly escalating his pace into the sixth place posi- tion, he wanted to keep climbing the ladder of success with each passing lap. Therefore on lap three, he would inherit fifth, but he wanted more. With Cameron Harrison just in front, Grasso
110 MPG • NOVEMBER • 2018