Chase Sexton Secures 2024 450MX Pro Motocross Title at Ironman

Chase Sexton, the Illinois native, wrapped up the 2024 Pro Motocross season with a standout performance at Ironman Raceway, securing his first Pro Motocross Championship title. In the post-race press conference, Sexton reflected on his historic win and his season's journey.

Winning the championship felt incredible, especially in front of his friends and family. Sexton expressed his excitement, noting that it was amazing to be the 2024 champion. “Winning here adds to the special feeling. After the challenges in Supercross, I knew I had to give everything in the outdoor series. Ending the season with this title means a lot.”

The competitive nature of the series presented its challenges. Sexton mentioned that the outdoor series had been great for him after the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season. “I needed this series to turn things around. I felt comfortable on the bike from the start and think I reached a new level this year. The competition was tough, and winning wasn’t easy.” His resilience in overcoming past setbacks was crucial to his championship win.

Maintaining the championship lead came with significant pressure. Sexton admitted he was nervous despite having a 28-point lead coming into Ironman for the final round. “There are so many things that can go wrong, and I wanted to make sure I got the job done. Staying focused and performing well under pressure was a challenge.” His ability to stay focused and determined was vital to securing his title.

Looking back on his career, Sexton highlighted his 2022 battles with Eli Tomac as a significant learning experience. “Battling with Eli Tomac helped kickstart my outdoor career. Last year wasn’t great, but this year, I took my riding to a whole new level. I’ve worked on improving my consistency and performance throughout the season.” His growth and improvement were evident this year.

Transitioning to the 450 class, Sexton found the larger bike suited his style better. “I’m a bigger guy, so the 450 suits me better. I don’t ride as erratic, which fits the 450 more. Racing Eli (Tomac) and Jett (Lawrence) taught me a lot and helped build my outdoor career.”

Competing against riders like his teammate Aaron Plessinger added to the excitement of the series. Sexton praised Plessinger's performance, noting, “AP was really fast today. He had a great start and pushed hard. Racing against guys like him kept me on my toes. It was tough, but I’m happy with my performance.”

Reflecting on his partnership with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team, Sexton shared how the new team has contributed to his success. “Joining KTM has been a game-changer for me. The support and resources they’ve provided have been incredible. It’s been a great fit, and I feel like the team and I are really in sync. This championship is as much a result of their hard work as it is of mine.”

Looking ahead to the SMX Playoff (SuperMotocros World Championship Finals) series, Sexton expressed confidence. “I haven’t ridden SMX tracks much, but I’ve adapted well. The bike feels good, and I’m looking forward to the SMX series. With the bike setup and my preparation, I’m confident we’ll be in a good position.”

In the final Moto, Sexton aimed to finish strong. “I wanted to get the job done in the first Moto. I had a good pace and pushed hard. The second Moto was tougher, but I managed to hold it together and secure the win. It’s always good to finish strong.”

Commenting on the track changes for the year, Sexton found them interesting. “The wood section was a cool addition and made the track more technical. The new start was different, but overall I liked the track and felt it suited my riding style.”

As the new 2024 Pro Motocross Champion, Chase Sexton’s reflections on his season highlight his journey, challenges, and triumphs. His dedication and skill earned him a well-deserved championship title, and we expect to see more from Sexton in the upcoming SMX Playoffs in a couple of weeks.