DAXTON BENNICK

Though he was familiar with the Daytona circuit from the amateur realm of competition, Daxton Bennick’s inaugural race for the speedway’s Supercross round was one to be remembered for the East Coast resident. Watching countless professional riders battle upon the historic infield grounds were motivating factor(s) for the Yamaha athlete, but it was now his turn to compete within one of the largest events the sport could offer...his practice efforts were remarkable and as he choreographed a number of applaud-worthy laps, he would transfer into heat two where he sped around the initial opening bend and beneath the tunnel jump. The margin for error when powering into certain corners was extremely thin, but Bennick never second-guessed his instinct while defending the pinnacle position from Max Anstie who trailed. But the Honda veteran was able to work his way around after a few moments of action, as Bennick descended to the runner-up standing, through the second and third laps, Daxton’s ability to compress the spring and leap through monstrous triple combinations (proximal to the start) were an undoubted boost to his overall lap-time; and after sweeping through the split-lane(d) chicane section, the continuous bar-dragging sequence that he portrayed would leave many in the first few row(s) of the crowd in disbelief! Many could sense the command Bennick had over both, his machine, and the majority of the field as he landed from the finish line jump...keeping the gap over Tom Vialle rather steady as the end of the moto appeared in the foreground. However, after going fender to fender in the whoop section with two to go, an unfortunate error through the multi-plateau and single afterward would have Bennick on the ground! Rebounding as quickly as possible, he would reside fifth as the final flag was thrown. As the green flag waved for the final event of the evening, the Star Racing Yamaha rider acquired a standing of fourteenth while toggling between an all-out sprint and instantaneous dodging of the largest braking bump(s) of any Supercross track around the globe! The swing-arm, shock, and rear wheel of the Yamaha 250F were dancing as he drove the chassis into the furthest right-handed corner following the finish-line...adjusting the track of the motorcycle and his body position, before barreling amongst decaying whoops — all the while hearing the persistent revving of Max Anstie remain behind him, after Bennick would make the pass on the veteran on the fifth circuit. Many opponents would be rattled in this position, but Bennick used the opposing revs as a means to escalate his pace to an even higher output; running lap-times that were similar to race leaders (Cameron McAdoo and Tom Vialle) while chipping away at the halfway point in the moto. The components of success in this main event were made on a basis of staying efficient as lines became more troublesome, and as Bennick’s Yamaha swayed from right to left (and vice versa) when nearing the largest tunnel jump, it was evident that the number fifty-nine was on the optimal route to an overall finish within the top-ten...and as the final three minutes of action concluded, the rookie flourished within the seventh-place position, despite losing a bit of time to Marshal Weltin, Jalek Swoll, and Max Anstie in the closing moments. Nevertheless, the tenth-place score by Bennick was one of applause for his first professional adventure on the Daytona circuit.