Round 13 of the 2023 Monster Energy Supercross Championship saw Chase Sexton back on the top step in 450SX, while Hunter Lawrence made it a double for Team Honda HRC, as he cruised to victory in 250SX East to extend his championship lead to 45 points. Both riders were available to the media following the races for this Debrief feature.

450SX

Image: Octopi Media.

Chase, great job tonight. How’d it feel to get that win?

It felt good, around the 10 minute mark the TV broadcasters were probably waiting for something to happen from me [laughs]. Got through a big mental barrier for me, to lead that whole race and ride solid, so especially with how gnarly the track was, I was pretty on point. So, that was a fun race and it was much needed.

Can you take us through how you prepare mentally for a day race with 80 degree temperatures compared to a night race?

Yeah, I woke up this morning and it felt like an outdoor race a little bit, getting up that early. Honestly, all day I felt super tired, but I was waking up a little bit more every session and for the night show I felt pretty good. It was a little bit to get used to, I didn’t really prepare at all, I didn’t wake up early this week or change anything, I kind of just did my own thing. I definitely felt a little bit groggy this morning, maybe that’s what I needed for a good main event [laughs].

You said this was a big hurdle to get this win. Do you think of any of that during the race or does it dawn on you after the finish?

I saw 10 minutes to go on the pit board, but this week I did only motos, no heat races or sprints. So, I really focused on the final 10 minutes of the main event, and when I hit 10 minutes I was like ‘Okay, this is where you make it or break it,’ that was my mindset. But, once the race was over it kind of hit me, so hopefully now that we got through that one, we can start clicking some off.

I know this is different to Daytona, but give us your thoughts on this track, knowing that going into the SMX Playoffs we’re going to be seeing tracks similar to this.

For some reason, I’ve always done well here. I like that they have a lot of dirt, the obstacles are obviously bigger, there was a 75 foot turning double when we walked the track yesterday, but they fixed that. It was definitely high speed and bigger whoop sections, so yeah, it definitely broke down more than it had in the past. As far as SuperMotocross goes, we don’t know what it’s going to be like. I’m assuming it’s going to be high speed like this, but yeah I enjoy the speedways, I definitely like it in the day more than at night, cause there were no shadows out there.

You basically have to win from here on out to contend for the championship. Does it make it easier for you knowing that’s the case?

Yeah, it’s all or nothing. It’s obviously hard when you’re racing these two guys and Eli and Cooper, everybody that’s on the gate. But, I’ve definitely gained some confidence since last weekend, I definitely rode well I just didn’t get great starts and this weekend the starts weren’t great, but I snuck around the inside well and came out in front, so if I can keep doing that and putting myself in good positions, we should be sitting good. But yeah, anything can happen, like Cooper and Eli were a little further back this weekend. We’re still pretty fart out, so got to win more of these races.

250SX

Image: Octopi Media.

Hunter, congratulations, how does it feel to be where you’re at, where it’s clicking and everything is intact? You’ve won six of seven races this year.

It feels really good. The sport’s so tough, the lows are unimaginably low, and so are the highs. It’s tough. When you’re struggling and in the trenches, you feel like you’re never gonna get it. But when you have it, you feel like you’re never going to lose it. So it’s cool, the sport is interesting and that’s why we’re emotionally invested in it. It’s good to enjoy these moments cause you work so hard for them. You need to look back at it and remember when you’re leaving the track going 10-12 or something at outdoors, and you’re like trying to say, ‘we did this good, we did that good’. You’re trying to find the positive, but in reality, you sucked [laughs].

With your 11th win, you’re now tied with Ricky Carmichael and Ryan Villopoto in the all-time 250SX wins list for 10th. What did you do leading up to the race today where everything seemed to click for you?

Yeah, day races are kinda weird. Not a fan of them… I feel like it’s really tough to get the same atmosphere as when you’re in a stadium and it’s at night. I do know the fireworks were a hell of a lot bigger than they are in a stadium [laughs]. It was hot today, it was warm. People don’t realize, I think we got lucky today, it was a little more high speed. When you’re training during the week, and it’s hot in Florida, on a traditional Supercross track there’s not much airflow and wind flow. So the heat really just gets to you, it was tough. But yeah, happy with a good day, and can’t complain.

You touched on the track, you were up front but it was very difficult to pass. Did you like the track?

It was, because it was so high speed. Well, it wasn’t crazy high speed, but it definitely was one line. So it definitely does promote close racing and you definitely have to be on the guy and then pretty much go on the inside. There weren’t really many passes on the outside today. Nothing crazy I don’t think.

Obviously, you’re riding well and you’re winning races. I’ve heard a lot of ex-pros speak very highly that your form is really hard to find flaws in your form. Are you a guy that studies that?

Yeah, we do take pride in everything we do, everyone kinda goes about their business in different ways. Some guys and coaches do sprints, or this or that technique. I feel like we have a really good balance of everything. And I feel like our technique and how we ride a bike, I say we regarding to Jett and I, we have a pretty high ceiling of potential in speed. So it’s cool. We put a lot of groundwork in and honestly, it all started just from when we first ever began riding. Dad just wanted us to be safe on a bike and good technique obviously promotes being safe on a bike.

Next weekend, are the gloves coming off? You’re both in a good spot in the championship. Can you guys race straight up? Is that going to be allowed?

Sure, why wouldn’t we be? We both know if we’re stupid enough to jeopardize our own championship hopes, we know what’s coming straight to us from the admin [laughs]. So yeah, I mean we’re gonna race clean. Ideally, we both get good starts and have a good battle. That would be really cool, but yeah, who knows, obviously we’re in for a good week of this brother vs that brother and all the shenanigans. So yeah, can’t wait!