Page 28 - NOVEMBER-18

highest of magnitudes. An accom- modating pit area, banners replicating that of a pro national, a track that was designed and groomed in utopian fashion... the list goes on and on. So to say that Matix Soto was pumped, was certainly an understatement. The class he entered, 250 C Jr (12-17), was one so deep and packed full of talent, that divisions must have been run in order to funnel the field to the final listing. Soto invited the chal- lenge, packing a “more the merrier” attitude to the rest of those on the line. Tenth place off the line offered an attitude of discontentment flowing through his veins, to begin heat race matters. Reaching through these chicanes with a masterful mindset, he would absolutely carve these turns with outright speed; resulting in an eighth place on lap two, and seventh place on lap three. But he wouldn’t stop there, reaching to the top five, just prior to the white flag; however, if you know Mr. Soto at all, you under- stand that he’s going to fight until the last possible moment. And this heat race would be no different, as another position would be granted on the final go-around, putting him in the fourth place ride by the time the race had concluded. Soto’s woes off the gate continued for the run-off, however, but it wouldn’t stop him from fighting through he field as usual. Thirteenth on lap number one, he began to leapfrog the field with each go-around of the circuit. Manualing every break- ing bump in sight, his front end would stay ultra light around the course, put- ting him into fifth by lap three. Flicking the machine into the wind off these perfectly built doubles, his effort of shaving and scrubbing speed would then grant him another position by the time the checkered flag would come out. A very appreciative effort, Soto’s scores would place him into third overall. This alone would make the trip from California well worth it.
28 MPG • NOVEMBER • 2018