CHASE SEXTON | GRIT-209 | 450SX

CHASE SEXTON | GRIT-209 | SX 450

Honda's Chase Sexton would again bring an elite sense of speed and bike-handling skills to RingCentral Stadium on Saturday, knowing that this would be a pivotal round in regard to keeping Eli Tomac's championship run dormant. Therefore he strove to set a tone in practice that was unmatched, as he constantly competed for the pole position amongst multiple qualification sessions. Regardless of the technicality, Sexton was sharp and on-point through every section of the course, which carried into the night show that followed. For his heat race, Chase would quickly move around Aaron Plessinger for second with Cooper Webb in front (of him) and Eli Tomac surging quickly from the third-place position. Sexton was in a conundrum of sorts, with waiting for the right opportunity to move past the number two, all the while hoping to not lose a spot to the red-plate holder who was rather quick in the whoop section(s). Yet prior to lap four beginning, an immense shuffle would have the top-three shifting drastically, with Tomac advancing past the Illinois native; all the while, Sexton overtook Webb for second! But with Eli's speed continuing to ascend as the moto went on, the gap between he and Chase grew greater, which led many to believe that the main event was Eli's to lose. Finishing second, Sexton would have a few tricks up his sleeve for the finalé that followed. His start would be immaculate, as he rounded the first turn with the entirety of the field at his rear wheel. Sexton was in a league of his own at this point, and proceeded to enact a multitude of laps that were unmatched by those who trailed. Ripping through corners with his Honda 450cc machine pinned, his focus was impeccable while seeking to push past the halfway point. That goal was accomplished (with flying colors) where he continued to adopt a flow that others in the field couldn't fathom. However just near (and on) the circuit of lap twelve, mistakes would begin to be made. A near wash-out prior to reaching the finish-line would be the predecessor for a disastrous crash that would occur just near the mechanic's area, when Sexton's weight distribution on the front-end caused an unforeseen jar (and toss) that left him scattered in the right-hander prior to the outlining barriers! Now being feet away from his motorcycle, Sexton would quickly attempt to remount and return to racing action...where he was categorized in second. His fight (for the lead) though, had now been deflated; and his mindset then shifted to not being overtook by Cooper Webb, rather than of passing Eli Tomac. The KTM rider would eventually latch on (and move around) in the left-hander before the finish-line, leaving Sexton to third with little time to counter. Eventually residing here (third), many could sense that Chase was bummed with the outcome of the moto, and rightfully so.

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