CHASE SEXTON | GRIT-214 | 450SX

CHASE SEXTON | GRIT-214 | SX 450

Seeking to continue to ride the wave of momentum that was generated in Detroit last weekend, Chase Sexton's sigh of relief would be coupled with a desire for more as he shifted into gear for round eleven of the 450cc SX championship. He would be greeted by ever-changing terrain upon the floor of Lumen Field, and immediately engaged in a layout that was heavily contrasted from where victory was accrued in the Motor City some seven days prior. Nevertheless, Sexton's aptitude on the Honda would portray balance and uniformed technique while he flowed through various corners; eventually residing first as time(d) trials were concluded and the divisional rounds of racing (i.e. heats) were next to be conquered. Acknowledging the thirty-second board before zeroing-in on the bracket in front of him, his reaction time would be superb prior to shifting through the transmission and entering into turn number-one. He was able to position his red front fender into third before the opening sequence concluded, focusing on hitting his marks and nullifying mistakes. He would stalk Jason Anderson, following the Kawasaki rider through a myriad of pathways while steadily gaining on the number twenty-one machine. Sexton was keen on making even newer lines toward the inner-most tuff blocks, steering a tighter arc amongst grooves that had already been made! Which led to him nearly clipping Anderson when moving to the inside in the corner after the finish-line, to begin the fifth lap; though Jason never wavered and would nearly rub plastic(s) with Sexton who was only inches to his right. This led to a brief impact between the two riders in the following ninety-degree bend, where it appeared as if Jason would stall the engine and cause a clashing of elbows to ensue, as Sexton moved forward. Once into the position, it was smooth sailing for the Illinois native, as he then sought to attack the rear wheel of Cooper Webb as much as possible. Though nearly making the pass (only feet from the checkered flag) it would be Sexton who claimed second after seeing Webb make a hand gesture of sorts (while in the air), seemingly wanting to "fuel Chase's fire" as the event concluded! With second-place in hand, he then headed to the finalé for the evening. Sexton's start was nearly perfect, running second to only Kevin Moranz who would make it difficult on the Honda rider for the first lap. However Sexton would push his way forward in the right-handed corner prior to the sand section, taking the lead and hoping to pull away. Proceeding to engage in a furious pace while leading the field around, those who watched were seeing a main event plot that occurred numerous of times in race's past. That was until another unfortunate mistake would be made on behalf of Sexton, where he weighted the front-end too much when entering the second right-handed corner following the finish-line! Up and over the handlebars, he was lucky to be injury free as they neared the halfway mark, but there was little time to waste as he frantically remounted the motorcycle. He would gather enough speed to be cemented in fourth but was then overtaken by Justin Barcia who pushed him to fifth. Residing here for quite sometime, he would eventually move to fourth for a brief while (as Ken Roczen began to fade), but would be passed by Jason Anderson subsequently as they neared the checkered flag as well. His speed in the latter moments of the moto, wasn't what it was in the initial stages (and rightfully so); which would leave him cemented in fifth as the final flag was thrown, hoping to rebound in the round of Glendale in two weeks.

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