Race Report: Chase Sexton’s Struggles Continue Despite Team Adjustments
Arlington, TX – In a season marked by inconsistent performances, Chase Sexton of Honda finished sixth at the latest Supercross event, reinforcing concerns about his start and overall race execution. Despite improved lap times in the 49-second range once he cleared traffic, Sexton’s inability to secure a strong start proved detrimentally impactful.
Post-race comments reflect a sense of optimism and readiness, as Sexton remarked, “I felt more comfortable going into this weekend, and the bike was working great with the adjustments the team has made.” However, skepticism remains about the effectiveness of these changes, particularly given his current results.
In recent testing sessions in Florida, Kawasaki has taken a unique approach to support Sexton’s performance. Team personnel, including experienced rider Kyle Chisholm, have been collaborating to refine the bike setup. Chisholm, known for his work with Ken Roczen and Eli Tomac, tested Sexton’s bike to glean insights that could help identify and rectify underlying issues.
The team’s strategy involved starting with a stock RM-Z450 platform, gradually implementing modifications to better align with Sexton’s preferences—a method reminiscent of RCH’s previous work with Roczen. This approach aims to recalibrate Sexton’s machine for optimal feedback and handling, addressing the risk of creating a “franken-bike” setup that could hinder performance.
While these adjustments signify a proactive effort from the Kawasaki team to aid Sexton, the success of their strategy remains contingent upon reclaiming better starting positions in future races. Without significant improvements at the beginning of the race, progress may continue to be stymied.
As the team prepares for upcoming events, heightened attention will be on sexton’s ability to translate these technical refinements into competitive results on the track.
