GRIT 311 — 450SX — 7th — Chase Sexton

The Kawasaki competitor was eager to put forth a notable performance while stationed in Pennsylvania. Chase Sexton, who had steadily began to rise throughout the championship since returning to the tour from injury, was exceptional in practice on Saturday - and with a phenomenal blend of corner speed and brute strength (as he seemingly forced the chassis into optimal lines all across the raceway, many in attendance believed that he could battle for an eventual top-tier finish. As practice concluded, he would sprint onto the opening straightaway for 450SX Heat Two, and he knew that there wasn't any time to waste. He would propel his way into eighth, while battling with Shane McElrath. Sexton did his best to navigate through the now, deteriorated course. Rain had formed puddles and pure slop all around the circuit, where rhythm lanes were difficult to even roll through...much less jump!

Though somehow, the legendary prowess of Sexton was excelling. It wasn't quite up to the former champions standards, but Chase was able to navigate through the circuit at an impressive pace. And after battling with opponents including Justin Hill, the Illinois native would roll across the finish line double to take a seventh-place accolade. In the finalé, adverse conditions were set to be on-tap once more. However, Sexton was willing to fight — and battled while in the thirteenth-place position. He would move into tenth, quickly, while doing his best to attain clear vision. In the laps that followed, opponents including Cade Clason, Justin Barcia, and others, were overtaken!

Chase's trajectory was superb, and as he began to find small pockets of dry terrain (despite immense rain falling down), it seemed as if Sexton could vault well into the top-ten, even further! However, a mistake on lap eight would deter him to twelfth! He wasn't going to give-up, and then proceeded to claw his way past Garrett Marchbanks, Dylan Ferrandis, Dean Wilson, and others...showcasing his true grit, on the new motorcycle within the premier division! With two laps to go, he would be registered in the seventh-place standing once more - and he could see Shane McElrath, not too far ahead. With inside grooves now extremely deep, he would be aware to not drag the foot-pegs. or lessen his momentum to a point of stalling. It was his veteran aptitude that kept him upright, and in the end. seventh-place was generated by the Illinois native!