VOLUME 58 ISSUE 36 SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 P61
Monster Energy/Star Racing Ya-
maha's Justin Cooper and now
enjoys a 23-point lead with just
two motos to go.
"It was just a hard day; it's re-
ally hot," said Lawrence who had
his own special trackside view-
ing section for his biggest fans.
"It's been one of the toughest
days we've had in a while."
Lawrence's win gave him a
sweep of the two Fox Raceway
rounds in the 2021 series, as the
track also held the opener back
in May. The track was run in re-
verse direction this time, though
it seemed to make little differ-
ence to Lawrence, who also won
last year's Fox Raceway National
and is three for three here.
While Lawrence's older Honda
teammate Roczen's chances
of overtaking Ferrandis were
extremely slim, he nevertheless
came out firing in the first moto,
holeshotting the race and build-
SIDELINED
At least three star riders sat out the
Pala 2 National, including Honda
HRC's Chase Sexton. "After tests and
an ultrasound this week I have found
that I have an enlarged spleen and it
wouldn't be safe to race with it," he
said. Sexton is still a question mark
for the Hangtown finale. Justin Barcia
was also absent, for the third race in a
row following a concussion just before
the Unadilla National. His status for
Hangtown is also unknown. Monster
Energy/Star Racing Yamaha's Aaron
Plessinger was also on the sidelines.
"As much as I want to be racing today,
I think it's time I let my body heal a bit,"
he said on the eve of the race. "I've
tried to ride it out, but the pain just isn't
really going away. The last two races
have really weighed on me not being
able to finish, and I don't want to do
that again. Hopefully I will make it back
for Hangtown."
POSITIVE TO SIXTH
Twisted Tea Suzuki's Max Anstie
returned to action after missing the
Ironman National due to a positive
Covid-19 test, and he put in his best
ride of the season for sixth overall in
the 450 class. Red Bull KTM's Mar-
vin Musquin, who also tested positive
before Ironman, was still out and did
not attend Fox Raceway 2.
COOPER HONORS
SOLDIERS
Cooper Webb wore a special pair of
Alpinestars boots on which were writ-
ten the names of the 13 U.S. military
servicemen who were killed in the
recent suicide bombing at the Kabul
airport in Afghanistan, as well as the
message: "All gave some, some gave
all" in honor of all of the soldiers that
were serving there.
Briefly...
(Above) Eli Tomac seems to have
returned to his championship form
again, winning for the second time in a
row, but it comes too little and way too
late. Runner-up in the championship
is not out of reach, though.
