HUNTER LAWRENCE

Honda’s Hunter Lawrence was well within the fight for an overall championship, and presented a sense of swagger in practice rounds on Saturday, that couldn’t be mistaken. He was stylish and calculated on the motorcycle, creating an excellent foundation for furthered success in the laps that were to follow. Despite missing his shifts before the gate(s) fell (i.e. downshifting to first, due to altitude) Lawrence was somehow able to muster a start within the first five to seven positions when rounding the opening corners. He had moved into fourth by the conclusion of lap one, with Aaron Plessinger and Chase Sexton striving to overtake him. However, he (Hunter) had his sights set on overtaking the Kawasaki rival, of Jason Anderson (who was just ahead). Relentless pressure, enabled the Australian to eventually pass the New Mexico resident in the right-handed corner, just after the middle section of rollers on the racetrack...where Hunter’s swift entry and exit to the inside proved to be a spectacular attribute that propelled him around the veteran. The hunt for the lead was then actualized. The chase, would transpire until roughly the twenty-seven minute mark of the moto — where Lawrence would track-down Justin Cooper, in the same portion of the racetrack in which he passed Anderson! Revealing the inside maneuver once more, the number ninety-six had then obtained the lead while appearing rather fresh...with plenty of longevity in the tank, to capture the win through the checkered flag. Though his brother (Jett) would follow in his tracks per se, and overtake the Yamaha rider as well, Hunter would keep the athlete aboard the number-one Honda behind him as all was finalized — and Hunter Lawrence would be designated as the first moto winner! For the second round of action, Hunter would claim third in the opening standings, and pursue the tandem of Cooper and Chase Sexton who led the field around. However, with Sexton crashing just before the fourth circuit of competition, Hunter made his way into the runner-up standing...though the New York native (i.e. Cooper) was riding with spectacular grit at the pinnacle of the pack. It didn’t seem as though Cooper could be caught, at least initially. However, the narrative began to sway in favor of the Lawrence tandem, with Jett now residing third. With a little over five minutes on the clock, however, the “current” second-place run would be nullified — with Jett hopping past him, in the rollers before the Monster Energy Fly Away jump. This deterred Hunter to third...but not for long, however. The athlete aboard the number ninety-six would shortly thereafter, make the pass on Justin Cooper (two corners after his brother had taken the lead, before the thirteenth circuit was completed), and Hunter was following the trail of Jett, all the way to the finish line. Though listed in second, the effort given by the number ninety-six to conclude this final bout, was impressive — and equated to a notable runner-up feat in the record book.