CHASE SEXTON | GRIT-208 | 450SX

CHASE SEXTON | GRIT-208 | 450SX

Chase Sexton would be on-point from the moment action began on Saturday, beginning with an abundance of stellar lines during qualification. The whoops were becoming cupped out rather early, but his chassis seemed to be on point when driving toward the final two or three. With little room to relax on this track, the busy-structure of this particular Tampa SX round would fit his determined nature, and would translate into an audition for the main event via heat-race competition. Shifting into gear, his reaction time from the launchpad would be synonymous with first, as the Illinois native yearned to exhibit a masterclass of the course at Raymond James Stadium. He took the lead ahead of Eli Tomac, which was phenomenal in regard to the momentum-like pendulum that would sway in favor of both championship contenders. Sexton was striving to make a statement, proceeding to lead laps two, three, and four, as he continuously gravitated toward the checkered flag. There was little to critique on his behalf, as he constantly extended the gap between he, Aaron Plessinger, and Eli Tomac. Ultimately leading all nine laps in the process, Sexton would be well on his way to the main event at that point in time. Cooper Webb would hole-shot the finalé, but Sexton's ability to track to the inside would be the defining factor in him taking the lead before rounding corner number two. Immediately thereafter, Chase would conduct a series of phenomenal laps; hitting all of his marks with expertise while growing the lead between he and Cooper Webb that followed. Regardless of sand or the natural soil that was on the rest of the floor, Chase would thrive. However around fifteen minutes in, was when Webb began to reel in Sexton; little by little, with the crowd becoming more and more excited with roars of their own. The Honda rider could sense this, and noticed Cooper beginning to come closer, however a mistake would be made on behalf of number two, with only a few minutes remaining (in the whoop section). All seemed to be in favor of the twenty-three taking this outright victory, until Sexton's cross-rutting would force the bike to swap through the moguls and into the ground! The energy of the crowd was electric, and Sexton was frantic to return to the bike; but it was Cooper Webb who was still close enough to pass him, with under five laps remaining. Sexton would salvage a significant sum of points though, and remained in the silver medal position as results were cemented.

More from GRIT