CHASE SEXTON - GRIT 230 450MX

CHASE SEXTON | GRIT-230 | 450MX

Throughout practice on Saturday, it was evident that the number twenty-three of Chase Sexton was seeking to capture a victorious accolade by the time all was said and done in Maryland. The nature of this layout would favor the riding style of the Illinois native, as it encompassed both technicality and substantial velocities with the number of elevation changes in which were presented. Those attributes were satisfactory to the Honda rider, as he sped to a position of secondin the final running order and proceeded to lock-in to a mentality of elite competitiveness as the gate(s) fell for the first moto. His clutch release and shifting points wouldn't be as desired though, when charging into the opening corner...and he would be outside of the top-twenty, to begin the contest. However, Sexton's trek to the front was filled with momentum while weaving through traffic - though a nearly disastrous over jump (on the swaying, uphill triple) while battling for the top-fifteen, would send the Honda rider nearly crashing off course! Luckily, he regained his rhythm immediately thereafter and hopped back onto the raceway, doing his best to attack and gain as many positions as possible. Lap after lap, the hard-charging style of Sexton would embody a stance atop the foot-pegs where his chest remained over the bar-pad - in an attacking stance, seemingly for whatever bit of obstacle was thrown his way. He was having a bit of difficulty moving into the top-ten though, which would finally be established on the tenth-lap...but by that time, his biggest rivals in the series were rather far ahead. However, Sexton wasn't going to quit digging per se, and would pass the likes of Grant Harlan and Phil Nicoletti before all was said and done...eventually concluding the moto in ninth, but yearning to seek redemption in the final moto of the afternoon. Once the gate(s) fell for the latter segment of the event, it was easy to see that Sexton was aiming for the top step of the podium - and nothing else. He had nothing to lose, after passing his way into second, after beginning the moto in (roughly) the middle to latter positions of the top-ten. He had passed Justin Barcia after toppling that of "Henry Hill" and was now seeking to dethrone Jett Lawrence with twenty-four minutes remaining on the clock. And admirable charge was then conducted, as Sexton revved the 450cc machine to its highest limits while narrowing the gap between he and the Australian...but an eventual tip-over was then made on behalf of the number twenty-three with around eighteen minutes left on the clock (in the turn after "Henry Hill") as well. Many thought that Sexton would be defeated at this point, but the grit in which Chase Embody was then showcased at the highest level...where a nearly ten-second deficit was erased, as the checkered flag became nearer and nearer! Sexton would force the crowd to their feet as they screamed at the top of their lungs, where the number twenty-three would take advantage of Jett's subtle spin-out(s) and close the gap to under one-second as they neared the finish-line! With only bike lengths separating them as they stormed past the mechanic's area on the final circuit, Sexton would almost do the unthinkable as they surged past the checkered flag immediately thereafter...but it was Lawrence who ultimately prevailed. Yet with that tremendous effort, Sexton's ability to secure second in the final moto, was enough for the Illinois native to be finalized in fourth overall, respectively

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