Page 94 - GM12

theGRIT
Josh Hansen made his return to racing in Santa Clara and was not about to disappoint.
He used his well renowned speed to whip up the fifteenth fastest lap time in qualifying
and looked eager to show the world he still has what it takes to race with the best.
Lil Hanny got out to a great start in the heat race coming out of turn one in a plausible fourth place spot. He took that final transfer spot and tried to runaway but on lap three he got ran high by Justin Brayton causing a chain reaction for the next lap and a half losing several positions. He would rebound in ninth place and would have to try his luck in the semi. Hansen grabbed another good start in the semi coming out of the first turn in a prime third place position. He put in some fast, consistent laps and held onto that third place spot until the last lap where Blake Baggett would find his way around. But a fourth place was still good enough to transfer him into the main event.
Hansen’s mini streak of good starts ended in the main event as we would see him come around lap one far back in fifteenth place. Definitely not the start to the race he would have like but he didn’t get flustered and he started putting in laps and having fun. He made a few moves during the race and would catch Barcia on the tail end of a big battle and steal 14th place away on the last lap. It was a good ride from Hansen on a very tight track that was hard to make passes. He will surely use that performance to build on when he returns to action.
words/SETHHARNISHFEGER
94 GRITMOTO • APRIL.4.16