Image: Octopi Media.

450SMX red plate-holder Chase Sexton was ‘not a fan’ of the Chicago track layout used for the second playoff event, struggling to find comfort as he completed the round a distant third overall.

Of the hybrid Monster Energy Supercross and Pro Motocross Championship targeted designs, last week in Charlotte was an even split of sorts between both.

While the finals at LA Coliseum appear to be weighted more towards a Supercross layout, the second post-season event just passed resembled more of an outdoors layout, with Sexton admittedly chasing comfort throughout the entire event.

“Last weekend I loved the track from the beginning and this weekend was the complete opposite,” Sexton explained. “Just not a fan of it, it felt like it was an outdoor track, but it felt kind of like a fair race a little bit… it was very fast.

“There was separation, obviously I got beat pretty bad, but I wasn’t comfortable on it. Definetely excited the last one is a supercross track, or somewhat of a supercross track, so that hopefully plays into my favor.

“Coming into this weekend, I didn’t… coming in I was guessing on what I am going to run for set-up, I tried to ride outdoors on Supercross stuff and it wasn’t good so I just was kind of scrambling this weekend. Definitely wasn’t my best.”

Despite his discomfort, Sexton – who went 1-1 to open the post-season – finished second in the opening 450SMX moto at Chicagoland, 8.459s in arrears of race-winner Jett Lawrence.

In race two, Ken Roczen (HEP Suzuki) found an improved setting that allowed him to challenge Lawrence, as Sexton finished the race third and 14.686s from the win.

“It was nice to come home and race, but from yesterday to today, I didn’t really have much speed,” Sexton added. “I don’t really know what it was. I was changing bike set-up every session, a lot, like bike changes. I was just straight up slower today. I was not happy to be on the podium, but it was somewhat damage control – I wasn’t comfortable.

“These guys pulled away from me, Jett first moto and both of them second moto. Definitely have another fire lit under me, was a good race last weekend, but like Jett said, you are only as good as your last race. Going into next weekend, it is back to Supercross, which is nice, very excited for that, and yeah I guess we will see what happens. I am very motivated.”

Entering the SMX finals this weekend, Sexton holds a two-point lead ahead of Lawrence as triple points are on offer at LA Coliseum, while Roczen sits third and a further eight points back.