CHASE SEXTON - GRIT 242 450SX

GRIT-242 | 450 SX

Seeking to return to the top of the leaderboard, KTM's Chase Sexton could be seen rounding the track amid practice sessions while surveying the fastest lines within the infield layout. He had been patient and methodical thus far throughout 2024, and the basis for his trek to the lead in Florida was no different - therefore as he monitored various opponents like Eli Tomac and Jett Lawrence, Sexton put their pathways into his arsenal of line selection before embarking on the night show that followed...contending for a top-tier standing around turn number one, he and the rest of his adversaries would excel, and as Sexton sped to a position of third his outlook for the rest of the sprint appeared more than sufficient. Bouncing through the rollers just after the finish line, the chassis of the KTM appeared to be tracking well with the abundance of power the motor produced - and as he pulled away from that of Benny Bloss after definitively securing the bronze medal position, the Illinois native would attempt to track-down Justin Barcia. All the while though, Suzuki's Ken Roczen had rebounded from a previous mistake and would surpass both, Sexton (who was now third) and Barcia (running second) to take the lead. Sexton's motivation was then at an all-time high, proceeding to follow the Suzuki racer as they closed-in to less than one minute remaining on the race clock. Seeking to make a pass, in the right-handed bend just after the latter "SX" triple, Sexton plowed into the outside berm while digging his front tire into the loam(y) soil...but the weight distribution aboard his chassis was a bit off, forcing the rider aboard the number one machine to the ground while Roczen sped away. Still remaining second at the finish line however, he was well on his way to a successful evening after establishing the fastest time in the moto. Sexton's KTM would "rocket" from the gate and into the lead while Eli Tomac attempted to combat the charge that was put forth by the Illinois native. But once he prevailed to an open raceway per se, Sexton flourished - leading through roughly eight minutes of action, before being attacked by both, Tomac and Jett Lawrence. Approximately twelve minutes on the clock remained when Sexton drifted too far to the outside after the latter "SX" triple...allowing Lawrence to move forward in the switchback thereafter, all the while Eli Tomac began to hound at his rear wheel. The battle for second would last until two laps remained, when to Sexton's surprise, Eli would somehow charge around the outside of the longest rhythm lane and through the right-handed corner that followed...with Sexton trying to object Tomac's aspirations, but unfortunately to no avail. Now third, Chase remained here through the checkered flag...hanging on for a solid day of competition while hoping to gain more points on Jett Lawrence in the coming rounds.

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