CHASE SEXTON INTERVIEW: “HE’S THE BEST OF THE BEST, THAT’S WHAT I’M UP AGAINST”

After losing the points lead to Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha’s Eli Tomac, Team Honda’s Chase Sexton is not content to settle for second. While Chase and Eli have both claimed several overall wins, Millville was the race where they truly battled it out, neck and neck, in both motos, making it one of the best races of the year. Moto two proved to be a game of cat and mouse. Until the checkered flag flew, it was difficult to determine who would win. Now five points adrift from Eli’s lead, Chase is returning to Washougal where he took the overall win in 2021. We caught up with Chase well after the Millville motos to get his take on the day, the rest of the series, and the upcoming Motocross of Nations at Red Bud.

By Jim Kimball

CHASE, I KNOW YOU ARE NOT HAPPY FINISHING SECOND TO ELI, BUT WHAT ARE SOME GOOD TAKEAWAYS FROM MILLVILLE? The good thing is that I am closer in speed (to Eli) than I have been the last couple of races. The first moto, I passed him and got a gap which was good. Obviously, I later fell so I didn’t get the win. But in the second moto, after he passed me, I kept it honest all the way to the end, and that is all I can do. I want to put some pressure on him and was hoping to see him make a mistake, but it did not happen.

Eli Tomac and Chase Sexton have fought hard and clean so far this season, making it an exciting one to watch.

WHAT HAPPENED WHEN YOU CRASHED IN THE FIRST MOTO? The first and second moto kind of flip-flopped. The first moto, I felt like I had really good pace; I got to the back of Eli, made a pass and tried to break away. Then I made this really small mistake; I missed a rut by a little bit, washed the front end, and my bike flipped over and tagged me in the back and ripped my jersey. Luckily I’m tall because that was not a good spot to go down, in the middle of that downhill. It was kind of a tricky situation to get out of there, and then I just sort of rode it in.

IN THE SECOND MOTO, IT APPEARED THAT YOU WERE MAKING ANOTHER CHARGE. For sure. We always know especially with a guy like Eli when the two-lap board comes out, the hammer comes out. That is what we get paid to do. It was a cat and mouse with lappers, and to see who could push more, so it was a good battle. I would like to have passed him, but we’ve got next week. I’ve got to start winning races.

After winning the season opener at Fox Raceway, Chase Sexton held onto the red plate until Eli Tomac took it from him at Round 7 of the 12 race series. 

Chase Sexton passed Eli Tomac in the first 450 Moto at Millville, something most riders cannot do when Tomac is on his “A” game. 

WHILE YOU TWO HAVE BEEN CONSISTENTLY ON THE PODIUM, AT MILLVILLE YOU WERE TRULY RACING EACH OTHER BAR TO BAR. It was cool, especially as we were so far ahead of third. It (the Championship) is going to come down to me and him. It is cool to race him with how much success he has had, especially outdoors. He’s the best of the best, so that’s what I’m up against, but I know I can beat him. I think it is going to be a good challenge. This might be the last time I get a shot at him outdoors. I want to take it to him, and I want to beat him. 

I KNOW YOU LIKE HARD PACKED TRACKS, SO I AM ASSUMING YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO WASHOUGAL COMING UP. The rest of the tracks I love, especially Washougal as I won there last year. Unadilla has been one of my favorites, and I like Ironman, all the rest of them are good for me. More rutted tracks are what I grew up on, it could not come at a better time, because I need it.  

WHAT WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT OBSTACLE AT SPRING CREEK? I think overall it was pretty hard-packed compared to what I am used to here. From the first practice on, it was choppy. It was sandy on top, but really hard packed underneath, which is harder when you have sand and hard dirt mixed together. The one long downhill was gnarly. You are going so fast, and it is kind of intimidating, but I did that pretty well today. It is one of my favorite tracks from a flow standpoint. It has a good character to it, and I am glad we got out of here with a podium. Now, on to the next weekend.  

LAST QUESTION: HOW ARE THINGS LOOKING FOR  TEAM USA AT THE UPCOMING RED BUD MOTOCROSS OF NATIONS? It is progressing, but there is no set-in stone team yet. Obviously, there has been conversation. They hope to announce the team at Unadilla. I am assuming in the off weekend we will have a set team, but as of right now, it is just talk. I am keen to race that race, and I want to go there and win. It is going to be a high-pressure situation because you have your whole country on your back, but it is something that I feel like I can take well. Hopefully I get the chance to do that.