Page 46 - GRRIT-11

theGRIT
As the 450 main began with intensity following the 250 race, Baggett looked exceptional.
“Chupacabra” got out of the gate quick, heading down the first rhythm section in third place.
Unluckily, the somewhat shorter-statured rider faced a tough challenge with the disgustingly long whoop section, getting passed
by a handful of riders on lap 1, crossing the line in 7th. It was here that Baggett seemed to settle in quite nicely. On lap 4, Baggett moved around Alessi for 6th, hitting his groove and latching on to the top five riders. There was steam rolling in hot behind him though, with Tomac, Canard and even Roczen putting on charges from back in the pack. On Lap 10, the green #3 of Tomac slid around the Suzuki rider, forcing Baggett back to 7th. In just about a lap from there, Justin Brayton pulls off for mechanical reasons and Blake moves back into 6th. Turns out, Brayton got a rear flat tire, and three laps later, Baggett’s race was deflated as well. After getting together with Honda’s Trey Canard on Lap 13, Baggett, himself, pulled off needing new rubber, dropping to 19th in the end.
Baggett knows, though. He knows where he was and what happened, that if it wasn’t for a stone and some bad luck, the rider would have posted his best finish of the year. He could be headed into the year’s first break with weight off his recently healed shoulder
but the #4 will take Detroit for what it is, a sign that the #4 is back to being a contender.
46 GRITMOTO • MARCH.21.16
words/BRENTECKERT