-
Home
- TV Shows
- TV Schedule
- NASCAR
-
Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Games
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
Supercross & Motocross
SX: Can Brayton Bounce Back?
Justin Brayton battled his way to a coveted factory seat via an unconventional path thanks to a lot of scrapping and hard work. But what's he going to do with the opportunity?
Justin Brayton is headed back to Joe Gibbs Racing for 2013 (Photo: Honda Red Riders)
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Round 4 of the Monster Energy Supercross Lites West Championship from Oakland, CA will air on SPEED Sunday, January 29 at 5:00pm ET. #SXonSPEED
After a strong start to his '12 Monster Energy Supercross campaign, Justin Brayton has found nothing but bad luck over the past two weeks. The Iowa native just missed the podium in Anaheim, but has backed it up with just a 14th-place result in Phoenix, followed by a main event DNQ last weekend in Los Angeles.
In light of Trey Canard’s season-ending injury, Brayton has become the face of the factory Honda program. Anticipation was high for Brayton after signing on for the biggest opportunity of his career to date, but the season has been rocky to say the least.
Every new relationship in the sport has its hitches, as a rider and his team work to find that groove together, mostly through trial and error -- just ask James Stewart and Joe Gibbs Racing. So, it’s no surprise to see a few hiccups early on with the Honda camp.
Brayton currently sits 12th in the premier class championship, dropping eight spots over the past two weeks, but there is a silver lining to the misfortune he’s experienced -- the season is in its infancy. Another strong effort like he registered at the opener could turn his season around, and given his dedication to his craft, an effort like that should come soon. They’ve tasted success -- they've already demonstrated that this partnership is capable of garnering strong results.
Prior to the start of the season, I picked Brayton to round out the top five riders in the championship. He is a rare example of a rider that has scrapped his way into the elite purely through hard work. He fought his way up via the ranks of the AMA Arenacross Series, and entered the world of Supercross through logical progression -- which is probably the feeder series intention, but far from the norm. Unlike many of his counterparts in the championship who seemed destined for major league success from the time they were amateurs, Brayton wasn’t picked up immediately and groomed for his future as a star rider by a factory team. Instead, he let his professional résumé (force) open doors and now it’s landed him at arguably the most decorated team in the sport at American Honda.
Heartbreak is purely the nature of the sport. No rider goes through a career without facing some kind of adversity. What's more telling is how he responds to those dim moments and that's ultimately what determines whether a rider can make it at this cutthroat level.
Brayton is the feel good story of the industry, and many want to see him continue to succeed. But, no one wants that more than Brayton himself. Now's the time to prove it; Brayton needs it, and American Honda needs it.
After a strong start to his '12 Monster Energy Supercross campaign, Justin Brayton has found nothing but bad luck over the past two weeks. The Iowa native just missed the podium in Anaheim, but has backed it up with just a 14th-place result in Phoenix, followed by a main event DNQ last weekend in Los Angeles.
In light of Trey Canard’s season-ending injury, Brayton has become the face of the factory Honda program. Anticipation was high for Brayton after signing on for the biggest opportunity of his career to date, but the season has been rocky to say the least.
Every new relationship in the sport has its hitches, as a rider and his team work to find that groove together, mostly through trial and error -- just ask James Stewart and Joe Gibbs Racing. So, it’s no surprise to see a few hiccups early on with the Honda camp.
Brayton currently sits 12th in the premier class championship, dropping eight spots over the past two weeks, but there is a silver lining to the misfortune he’s experienced -- the season is in its infancy. Another strong effort like he registered at the opener could turn his season around, and given his dedication to his craft, an effort like that should come soon. They’ve tasted success -- they've already demonstrated that this partnership is capable of garnering strong results.
Prior to the start of the season, I picked Brayton to round out the top five riders in the championship. He is a rare example of a rider that has scrapped his way into the elite purely through hard work. He fought his way up via the ranks of the AMA Arenacross Series, and entered the world of Supercross through logical progression -- which is probably the feeder series intention, but far from the norm. Unlike many of his counterparts in the championship who seemed destined for major league success from the time they were amateurs, Brayton wasn’t picked up immediately and groomed for his future as a star rider by a factory team. Instead, he let his professional résumé (force) open doors and now it’s landed him at arguably the most decorated team in the sport at American Honda.
Heartbreak is purely the nature of the sport. No rider goes through a career without facing some kind of adversity. What's more telling is how he responds to those dim moments and that's ultimately what determines whether a rider can make it at this cutthroat level.
Brayton is the feel good story of the industry, and many want to see him continue to succeed. But, no one wants that more than Brayton himself. Now's the time to prove it; Brayton needs it, and American Honda needs it.
SX Seattle
LATEST HEADLINES: MOTO-RACING
-
MOTOGP: Crutchlow Takes Career-Best Result
Cal Crutchlow worked his forward to claim a runner-up result in the… -
PHOTOS: MotoGP - French Grand Prix
Dani Pedrosa leads the MotoGP World Championship after securing his… -
MOTOGP: Dovi Leads, Ducati Scores Double Top Five
Andrea Dovizioso and Nicky Hayden took full advantage of the wet… -
MOTOGP: Le Mans Race Day Ticker (UPDATED)
Notes and quotes following Sunday's dramatic French Grand Prix. -
MOTOGP: Pedrosa Third To Eclipse 3000 Points
Honda teammates Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez stand 1-2 in the '13… -
MOTOGP: Lorenzo 'Couldn't Do More Without Crashing'
The works Yamaha team suffered through a disappointing outing at… -
MOTOGP: Pedrosa Wins Pivotal French GP
MotoGP title hopeful Dani Pedrosa registered his second consecutive… - More News
