'We have work to do with the SX setup' - Chase Sexton Talks Challenges After Third-Place Finish at SMX Playoff Opener

As the inaugural SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) Playoff series kicked off at zMax Dragway in Charlotte, all eyes were on Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Chase Sexton in the 450SMX class, the recently crowned 2024 AMA 450MX Pro Motocross Champion to see if he could challenge for the win just like one year ago.

Though Sexton showed speed and potential, he ultimately couldn't break through to claim victory in either moto for 4-3 moto scores and third overall. First year with the new team and machine for Sexton, this past season's Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship was tough to get comfortable with the bike throughout the series. He has been vocal about that recently, especially after his 450MX Championship and the bike looking very good outdoors. Reflecting on his race, Sexton had these thoughts at the post-race press conference.

"I wasn't really a close third. I was pretty far back, so we have some work to do. I would say the track was very, very Speedway-like, or I should say drag race-like today. There were a lot of straightaways, and honestly, I was just horrible in the flat turns where there wasn't a rut. I was good in the back (motocross) section where there were ruts, but when you had to turn off nothing, I was struggling. So improve on that, but these guys are riding good.”

Throughout the race, Sexton was visibly close to the leaders early during both motos and more in the second one, showing moments where it seemed he might close the gap on Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac and Team Honda HRC Progressive’s Jett Lawrence out front.

However, as the laps ticked by, he couldn’t quite find the rhythm needed to contend for the top spot in the later stages, pointing at the KTM machine and the struggles with hybrid/Supercross setup, which he seemed not too thrilled about.

"Yeah, no, we haven't quite figured it out yet. I thought we were good, but, it's still a lot different." He would later explain, “Yeah, I mean, you really had run Supercross suspension today just with how that rhythm section was and how tight and steep it was. So you couldn't really get away with an outdoor setup. Like I said, we have work to do with the SX setup and getting more comfortable. Most of the track was pretty outdoorsy, and it was really that Supercross section and some of the fast parts where you were hitting some pretty big g out’s you had to have enough holdup. I'll go back to the drawing board, try and work with the team, and come out stronger because I've got to get better.”

Chase reflects on last year’s inaugural SMX Playoffs, where he came out swinging to a 1-1 victory, and hopes for better ending races in this year’s final two rounds. "I'm not okay with it. I don't like losing, but I think compared to what I did last year if I can go the opposite way this year, that would be good. Last year, I was good, and then I just got worse throughout the rest of the races. This year, hopefully, I can bounce back next round, and then, obviously, the last one is really where everything's won at. If I can just kind of improve and keep myself in it for the last round and try to work some bugs out, we'll be in a good spot."

Sexton is still the points leader after Charlotte is up four points on reigning 450SMX Champion Jett Lawrence ahead of this weekend’s Texas double points round.