Page 62 - Issue-46

CHAD REED
450 SX / 12TH
IMAGE / LANG WORDS / ECKERT DESIGN / WILSON
>> While it might be true that the decorated veteran of the blue #22 isn’t racing at the level he’s been known for, he still continues to defy the limits of his legacy. Now racing be- yond the experience level that most athletes in our sport get to reach, Chad Reed remains one of the baddest dudes on a dirt bike. His best performance this year was a 2nd in Phoenix at round four and he’s found himself trying to claw back to the podium ever since. Only coming close in Toronto, Reed came into East Rutherford on Saturday with only two chances left to reclaim a spot on the box and add another trophy to shelf of his successful career.
When racing started, Reed got out of the gate strong in heat two and sat in 5th behind Josh Grant. Getting around Grant for 4th, it wasn’t until late in the heat that Reed faded back and dropped out of qualifying contention. Turning around his luck, Reed scooted out of the gate in his Semi with style, holding onto 5th into the opening lap. Slowly working on Cade Clason in front of him, Reed moved into a qualifying spot and earned another shortly thereafter. Finishing the quick race in 3rd, Reed was finally able to rest up for the main. With the break over, though, the riders were back on the line and in the blink of an eye, the main was on. Blasting off the start better than before, Reed got to the holeshot line in 2nd but was pushed out wide having to single into the following section which cost him a few spots. Settling into 7th by the time the main event was officially underway, Chad made a mistake and dropped back before reclaiming 7th temporarily. With riders going down and the brutal New Jersey circuit reaching it’s arms out to grab anyone willing, the mistakes ensued. Reed couldn’t find his rhythm and fell outside of the top ten to 11th being passed by Grant, Wilson and Seely. Holding off Tomac, Reed eventually gave way and dropped another spot to 12th. Bouncing back and forth a few times, Reed then battled with Mal- colm Stewart and Dean Wilson, earning 11th in the final minutes. He held the spot until just before the white flag was raised, when the #12 of Jake Weimer pushed by Reed to take the spot away. With no time to work with, Reed settled for 12th and will have to wait till next week to reach the milestone of his 200th top ten finish. With only that one chance left next weekend in Vegas, Reed always comes to play his cards and he’ll be ready to lay down his best hand for the final round. Check back for full details.
62 GRITMOTO • APRIL 30, 2017