Image: Octopi Media.

A consistent run across the trio of 450SX races in the Arlington Triple Crown for P2 overall had Chase Sexton in an upbeat mood on Saturday evening post-race, despite lapped traffic balking him in the final encounter.

Sexton went 3-3-2 for second overall and, although he made a minor error and went down while challenging for the lead in race three, it was a mistake from points-leader Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing) that soon elevated him into P1.

That drama-packed third outing saw Sexton briefly affected when putting Grant Harlan a lap down, which he said is a situation he generally has to be better at reading, and it ultimately enabled round seven winner Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM) to go by for a second main event victory of the year.

“Just the whole night show, I felt like my speed elevated from practice, which was good,” Sexton reflected. “I didn’t qualify fastest today, so I had a little bit more motivation, then first race I came from way back to third, which I was happy with – every race I felt like I had really good speed.

“In that last race I washed the front in the corner, just came in a little bit too fast. Eli [Tomac] was still within reach I felt like, so I still had my head down and obviously he made that mistake after the tunnel jump and made it easy on me. Overall, I felt really solid in every main event, it was some of the best riding and racing I’ve had.

“Obviously didn’t get the win, lapped traffic didn’t help, but we all deal with the same stuff so I just have to be better with reading those guys and getting around them a little cleaner, but I felt like I rode really well and there’s definitely more positives this weekend than last.”

Following his sixth podium this year, Sexton maintains third in the 2023 Monster Energy Supercross Championship standings as it approaches halfway, just five points from defending champion Tomac and with another two-time title-winner in Webb holding second, two points outside of the lead.