CHASE SEXTON - GRIT 247 450SX

GRIT-247 | 450 SX

May 20, 2024 9:45 am

The Illinois native was well within the hunt for a championship as the Foxborough round of racing came to fruition. He'd been in this position before, and appeared to maintain persistence as practice came about in Massachusetts. Though not necessarily striving for the pole position as in year's past, Sexton would be a bit more at ease when racing through the rutted canvas...compared to lets say, 2022, or last year's eventual championship quest. He focused on the bigger picture, and maintained that stance as the thirty-second board would go sideways for heat two. After the field had rounded turn one, and made their way into the opening stages of the moto, KTM's Sexton was established in a position inside the top-four; though this heat was stacked with riders, including Jason Anderson, Cooper Webb, and Jett Lawrence. Sexton quickly made move into third, passing the Kawasaki rider before attempting to track-down both Webb and Lawrence...though that notion never came to fruition. He contemplated riding at a higher level to try and advance, but knew in regard to the bigger picture, that a third in this race would equate to a prominent gate choice. Finalized here (i.e. third) he then focused on what was to come. The field of twenty-two then stormed from the gate(s) in the main event, while furiously charging into the initial laps with all attempting to occupy the highest positions possible. Sexton though, was commanding with his reach for the standing of a top-five residency...and he (rather quickly) took over third, as Jason Anderson was pushed to fourth. Rain was beginning to fall, and Ken Roczen (along with leader, Cooper Webb) weren't far ahead of him...making the opportunity to claim victory, rather tangible. The fight between he and Ken Roczen for second, seemed to last an eternity. Neither rider were giving up any inch of racetrack in order to further their quests, and it seemed as if no matter what Sexton was throwing toward Roczen, the German rider was able to defend! Attempt after attempt, bar-to-bar, both riders paced one another for almost the entirety of the main event! However, after a near leap off-track (nearing the finish-line) the urgency and true talent of Sexton prevailed...setting up a swift pass to the outside of Roczen beside the mechanic's area, with just over four minutes remaining on the clock. Now into second, he would aim for Cooper Webb. Corner after corner, Sexton sought a way to make his way around...but even when the margin became extremely close, Webb wouldn't falter. Eventually coming across the checkered flag in second, Sexton's admirable attempt was applaud-worthy in second.

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