The Yamaha prospect had now transitioned into a legitimate championship contender over the course of the 2023 season, becoming a mainstay at the top of the leaderboard while contesting various racetracks against Hunter Lawrence. And again for Detroit, both adversaries were betting favorites for success as they sped into untimed and time(d) practice sessions. His awareness of the ever-changing soil was spectacular, and despite a brief hiccup in the whoop section (which didn’t seem to injure the Tennessean), his accrual of third within the final standings would have him in the second heat alongside the red-plate holder. From the moment the gate fell, Thrasher would do his best to rival both Lawrence and Max Anstie who were categorized as the elite members of this field. He wasted no time in pushing his 250F to the front of the field, edging Luke Neese for the lead as he stormed into the second corner on the circuit. He would then have an open race track (with a plethora of smooth lines) at his disposal, bombarding his way into the whoop section ahead with the throttle pinned and mentality of fearlessness that was hard for anyone to rival. Hunter Lawrence (who would take a few moments to work his way into second) was already in a significant deficit by the time multiple laps had been completed, however the Australian wasn’t going to shy away from rivaling the Tennessean as time would lapse. With just around two laps left to go, the number ninety-six would work his way into an immediate radius of Thrasher...however Nate wasn’t budging. He continued to hit his marks, and ride with composure while he neared the final double on the track. And as the checkered flag for heat two was thrown shortly thereafter, it was Thrasher who seized victory before embarking on the main event. His start for the finalé was superb, but was just behind Jeremy Martin and Hunter Lawrence, who attempted to break away from the field. Lawrence was on a trajectory of his own, but Martin was an opponent in the crosshairs and one that was being closed-in on as laps continued to amass. It was just around five minutes in, when Thrasher leapt to the inside of the ClubMX rider in the rhythm section after the longest double on the circuit. His tripling maneuver into the right-handed bend that followed, promoted prominent momentum; seizing second without question, with his eyes now on the Australian. But Hunter Lawrence’s gap was one that couldn’t be toppled, with the red-plate holder racing at an astounding rate as the tenth-minute came to pass. Though Thrasher was showing no sign(s) of giving up, and proceeding to do his best to mount a charge if warranted, in the final moments of action. With the fifteenth, sixteenth, and eventual seventeenth lap(s) proceeding to be conquered, it was Thrasher who did enough to claim second; keeping his championship hopes alive, as the series now moves on.