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KILPATRICK
450 B Limited
JESSE FLOCK
With many in this class, moving up from both the 125 2-stroke machines and Su- permini’s not too long ago, it’s often hard
to believe how well these guys can control these powerful locomotives. But, with the test of time, riders are evolving, and with
the precision to power ratio these machines possess right off the show room floor, the speeds of the 450 B Limited division are as great as ever. With many in the field eyeing the sparking gold medallion to take home,
it was truly anyone’s ballgame as the pack roared into lap number one. Making his way into the lead, timing and scoring had Parker Mashburn, the Stephenville, Texas native, out front early. His fellow South Central counterpart, Jesse Flock, was all over the rear end, barking rampantly at the number 223. The amount of training Mashburn puts on the time card is absurd, and it was sure paying off in this moment, as his focus wouldn’t lapse, under the intense scrutiny
of Flock. Amazingly, they both posted their fastest lap time, on the white flag go around. Each, matching each other’s pace, would feel good about their performance, although it was Mashburn who would get the stronger gate pick. The second division, shed light
on Caleb Carter, as the number 86 would pull out to an early gap over fellow Tar Heel, Devon Simonson. Carter, pushing the pace out front, was reminding himself to breathe with the amount of heavy hitters at bay. He would ride beyond applaud worthy, knowing he’d secured a win on the biggest stage. He would win, and actually go onto lead a Caro- lina sweep of the top four. Here we go, the main event had now come. Flock would take off with an ultra-aggressive attitude, pushing his Yamaha stallion to the limit. Although she was bucking and swapping, there was one thing for certain; the throttle hand remained twisted at all times. Mashburn, this time in second, was doing oh so well, yet just a tick off of Flock as the laps continued. Neese had moved into third by this point, and the running order would remain Flock, Mash- burn, and Neese. Neese, continuing to chip away, had Mashburn feeling as though he was in a sandwich. However, the number 223 would lose slight grasp of the 67, who continued on leading lap after lap. And then, the feeling of excitement overwhelmed Jesse when he had crossed the finish. Every ounce of sweat, bottled in, had been poured; he was drained, yet so certainly worth it. Congratulations!
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