CHASE SEXTON INTERVIEW: “MY GOAL IS TO WIN”

Now seventh in the 2022 supercross 450 point standings, Team Honda HRC rider Chase Sexton would be much closer to leader Eli Tomac had it not been for a couple of bad results in Minneapolis and Detroit. Besides those two rounds, the 22-year-old has been a consistent top-five guy – and more often than not on the podium. Furthermore, the Illinois native took his first 450 Supercross win in San Diego two months ago. Make no mistake, sexton is “one of the guys” in Supercross. We recently spoke with chase about his Supercross education and being the only rider under the factory honda 450 awning.

2022 SEATTLE SUPERCROSS

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BY JIM KIMBALL

HOW HAS YOUR SUPERCROSS SEASON BEEN SO FAR? It has been pretty good so far, and a lot better than last year. I feel like I am part of a class now, and part of the guys that are upfront and can win races. Being upfront is exciting, but I’m still working hard, and trying to be more consistent. The last two weekends after Minneapolis have been a little bit better, but then of course Detroit happened. So, I just try to climb that ladder after the bad races and get back to the top step.  

Chase has had a string of bad luck when it comes to crashes. Unlike normal tip-overs or small mistakes, Chase’s crashes are typically big and glamorous.

IT MUST BE DIFFICULT AFTER A MAJOR CRASH LIKE THE ONE IN MINNEAPOLIS AND THEN DETROIT. It is tough to mentally reset and get back at it. But I accomplished that now and feel like I am back to where I was before that.  I am just excited to get racing. I like the upcoming tracks. We are over the halfway point now, and I’m excited to get going. 

Chase has already beaten opponents he had looked up to before he was racing as a Pro.

YOU HAVE DOWNPLAYED YOUR ROOKIE 450 SUPERCROSS DEBUT LAST YEAR, BUT IN HINDSIGHT, YOU WERE QUICKLY RACING UPFRONT. I guess I would say that it was okay. I just made a lot of mistakes and had a lot of races that I could have won that I threw away. That is where the frustration comes from, but I learned a lot. And you cannot really get learning any other way than going out there and doing it. I am glad that I did that last year. Obviously, I am still learning as we go, but I just feel more mature this year, and I feel more comfortable in the class. 

Chase currently sits seventh in the points in the 2022 Monster Energy Supercross season.

HOW IS IT NOW THAT YOU HAVE BEATEN EVERYBODY IN THE 450 CLASS, COMPARED TO LAST YEAR WHEN YOU WERE RACING AGAINST ALL YOUR HEROES? I can say that this year I have put it together a lot more. Last year, like I said, I had many opportunities to win, and either I would get passed by Cooper Webb or Eli Tomac late in the race. So, there was a little bit of doubt there, but this year, I feel like I am stronger towards the end of the races, which has allowed me to be more confident and as helped me put the race together.  

One strong point of his career in the 450 class so far is that he has been a very decent starter.

HAS MUCH CHANGED IN YOUR PROGRAM SINCE THE START OF THE SERIES. Everything has been the same since the start of 2022. Obviously, in the off-season, I moved from James Stewart’s place to Tyla Rattray’s. I have been riding there, doing some off-bike training, and everything has been going smooth. I am just having fun. It has been nice to be able to ride with people on the track and have somewhat a race condition during practice days, which I believe has helped me.  

Chase getting a soil sample in Indy.

IS TYLA’S FACILITY SIMILAR TO WHAT ALDON BAKER’S PLACE MAY BE LIKE? It is similar. I would say that Tyla is a little rougher around the edges, but the tracks are good and that is all that matters. Tyla gets the job done, and overall, the vibe there is good. Everyone gets along, and I love riding there right now.  

With Ken Roczen being gone, Chase is now the only 450 rider under the HRC tent.

LET’S FINISH UP WITH YOUR TEAMMATE KEN ROCZEN; HAS THE SIDELINE FROM RACING CHANGED ANYTHING FOR YOU? No difference really. I must go out there and do the best I can. My goal is to win, so it has not really changed my mindset at all. Obviously, I am bummed that Kenny is not here. I like having him as a teammate. We bounce ideas off each other. He is doing his job of getting healthy, so I am out here doing what I can and doing my best.

2022 SEATTLE SUPERCROSS