From GIZMOMODS / ROCK RIVER / YAMAHA
Traveling to the Southwest region after last week’s event in Detroit, the Gizmo Mods/Rock River/Yamaha team was determined to generate tremendous performances while stationed in the town of Glendale on Saturday. With athletes racing in both divisions, both team members and competitors alike were willing to give one-hundred percent effort, from the moment the initial green flag would wave.
The number seventy-five of Marshal Weltin returned to the 450SX classification for Saturday’s event, and after transferring into the night show with solid qualification times, he would speed through the seven-lap heat race while battling some of the best athletes in all of the sport. Crossing the finish-line in thirteenth, he embodied a replicated sense of intensity for the Last Chance Qualifier as well. And from start to finish in that particular event, Weltin would execute distinguished laps with confidence — finalized in eleventh as the checkered flag was thrown, while seeking to heighten his skillset even more in the weeks to come.
TJ Albright was exceptionally proficient throughout practice on Saturday, where he soared through rhythm lanes and across both whoop sections with commendable momentum. He too, would transfer into the heat races thereafter with a notable gate choice; establishing a magnificent pace on lap number one, and proceeding to climb through the leaderboard and into a transfer position. Ultimately residing ninth as action ceased, Albright’s fortitude then carried into the main event that followed as well. Though the circuit was demanding and the competition was fierce, Albright gathered every point possible with an exceptional showing in the Arizona finalé — racing to seventeenth in the record book, while aspiring to surge even higher at the next round of the championship.
Devin Simonson was a standout athlete amongst Saturday afternoon’s qualification sessions, where the number ninety-one solidified his claim for a solid gate choice in the heat races thereafter; ultimately preparing to qualify for the main event. His momentum via heat two of the night show was well-respected, engaging in an allout charge from beginning to end, to secure fourteenth before exiting the raceway. His willingness to persevere through adverse and challenging circumstances was evident in the LCQ, too — where he continued pursuing a higher standing, to obtain fourth at the checkered flag! And with a twenty-second place finish in the finalé, the Yamaha rider certainly proved that his skillset is elite within the stacked 450cc division.
The number eighty of Michael Hicks rode exceptionally well amongst practice rounds in Glendale, and immediately advanced to the night show program thereafter. The Yamaha athlete raced forward with extraordinary technique while alongside other world-renowned competitors, and clinched a standing of eighteenth, in 450SX heat two, as competition concluded. In the Last Chance Qualifier that followed, Michael’s lap-times were paralleled to those at the front of the field — and after residing nineteenth at the end of the moto, Hicks’ determination would undoubtedly, continue to carry him forward with immense success.
With an approaching weekend off from competition, the Gizmo Mods/Rock River/Yamaha assembly is set to continue furthering their team via hard work and extensive planning for the rounds on the horizon. Their competitiveness and desire to succeed are top-tier, which will certainly translate to even higher results in the rounds to come.
