NATE THRASHER

Engines would rev on Saturday, which indicated that championship action was near for the 2024 AMA Pro Motocross Series. Among the favorites, was none other than Tennessee’s Nate Thrasher, who always carried profound race winning speed — and who thrived from the moment practice began in Southern California. He had mastered the combination of weaving in and out from various switchback sections, piecing together the track that spanned (roughly) over two minutes and twenty-seconds for the majority of the field. His chassis appeared to be in synchronization with the ever-changing landscape, and led to an eventual, solid gate choice being secured prior to rolling to the starting line for the opening endeavor. Once the thirty-second board would go sideways, his ambition would lead to an accolade of eleventh being registered, before he immediately climbed the leaderboard and sustained eighth by the fourth lap. His marksmanship was nearly perfect when landing from the large infield step-up, appearing to “hold-on” the throttle for a second or so longer than many of his counterparts in the latter half of the field. The battle amongst he, and Jo Shimoda appeared to create a nearly inseparable trio as they stormed through the fastest sweepers on the outer half of the circuit. Leaping among the inbound, floating tabletop of sorts, he would be cheered on by the crowd while he maintained a standing of ninth, after only being passed by Jordon Smith. The sounds of rotors and scorching brake-pads were beginning to squeak as he and other  dove into the tightest of inside lines, clipping every bit of excessive raceway that wasn’t needed in order to solidify a stronger lap-time. When it mattered most, he then accelerated to the checkered flag with one-hundred percent effort...and even with a mistake in the final moments, Thrasher managed to secure a standing of eleventh. The second moto was then upon him, and as he occupied a position of fifth (and then fourth, after Tom Vialle crashed), there was an intensity about him that couldn’t be disregarded. He and the aforementioned KTM rider were on a similar trajectory — and were nearly side by side in the early stages when scrubbing the consecutive tabletops of the finish line section. His Yamaha machine appeared to be flowing through the rutted jump faces and corners thereafter with a plush stance — minimizing the bucking and swapping of many other riders in the class. Segment by segment, he continued to pull away from the latter portion(s) of the top-ten. However, he was unfortunately overtaken by that of Chance Hymas, Jo Shimoda, and Jalek Swoll, respectively. The barking of the opposing GasGas engine (i.e. Pierce Brown)would stagger many in his position...but he continued to press forward through the final five (or so) laps. Proving that his stamina was top-tier, en route to an eventual finish of seventh, for seventh overall (as well) in the 250cc classification.