race recap
CHASE SEXTON | GRIT-218 | 450SX
May 2, 2023 · Chase Sexton
CHASE SEXTON | GRIT-218 | SX 450
Honda's Chase Sexton would remain in the championship hunt prior to racing beginning in Nashville, however the pace of Cooper Webb and Eli Tomac would be characteristic(s) that the Illinois native had to acknowledge if he wanted to generate "one final surge" toward claiming the 2023 Supercross Championship. Therefore Sexton would come-out-swinging at Nissan Stadium, accruing tremendous lap-times in qualification throughout the morning hours prior to departing into heat number two. His leap from the gate wouldn't be as explosive as he envisioned prior to festivities beginning, circling the first turn inside the top five but knowing that there was little time to waste. He would move into third after a few segments had passed, behind Ken Roczen and Justin Barcia, as Kawasaki's Jason Anderson had leapt off track and allowed the top three riders to compete amongst themselves. Sexton was a bit behind Barcia (who was second) but the number twenty-three understood that this soil was deceiving and could subsequently force him into a mistake with any lapse of focus. The aspirations to move forward were far greater than any hesitation to stay within his current residency, therefore Sexton would work his way around Roczen before the sixth circuit was completed with a daring charge, and proceeded to speed to the rear wheel of Barcia just before the finish line. Though unable to make a move with a definitive pass, the field would have to acknowledge the speed of the number twenty-three on this deteriorating racing surface. For the main event, it was Eli Tomac who took an early lead; but Sexton knew that with Cooper Webb now on the sideline(s) (due to injury) that a legitimate "piece" to this championship equation was now obsolete, leaving he and Eli to quarrel over the title if things were to align in his favor. Sexton's initial placement (of around fourth) would be quickly advanced to third, and then second, following a pass on Justin Hill prior to completing the third lap. However at this point, Tomac looked to be in total control and multiple seconds ahead; leaving a gap to be overcome, if Chase wanted to grasp at an overall victory. Steadily though, the Illinois native would chip away; constantly gaining milliseconds on the red plate holder, until an opportunity to make a pass could be found, with just under ten minutes remaining on the clock! He would then drive his Honda chassis into the bowl(ed) turn after the finish line, pivoting to the left of Tomac's Yamaha, prior to unleashing immense velocities from the engine and hitting the "SX" triple! Eli would have no other choice but to oblige, and proceeded to allow Chase the lead, once and for all! Now in the "driver's seat," many would question if Sexton had the composure to hang onto the lead for the rest of the moto…and that's exactly what the Honda rider would do; solidified victorious as the final few laps came to fruition, and would cross the line with another win for this remarkable 2023 racing season!