Chase Sexton
Chase Sexton is an American professional motocross and supercross rider competing in the AMA 450 class, renowned for his precise riding style and multiple championships. Born on September 23, 1999, in La Moille, Illinois, he began riding at age three and turned professional in 2017 with the GEICO Honda team after a successful amateur career that included winning the 2016 AMA Nicky Hayden Amateur Horizon Award.[1][2] Sexton's early professional years were marked by challenges, including injuries in his rookie 2017 season, but he quickly rose to prominence, securing the 250SX East Region Championship in both 2019 and 2020 while riding for Honda.[3][4] In 2021, he transitioned to the 450 class as a rookie with the Honda HRC team, earning three podium finishes in Supercross and finishing fifth in the Pro Motocross Championship.[5] His career peaked with the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross 450SX Championship, where he claimed Honda's first title in the class since 2003 with six wins and 13 podiums, followed by the 2024 AMA Pro Motocross 450 Class Championship.[3][6] After moving to the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team in 2024, Sexton continued his success with additional victories, amassing 30 combined 450 Class wins across Supercross and Motocross by late 2025.[7] In November 2025, he announced a multi-year deal to join Monster Energy Kawasaki for the 2026 season, signaling a new chapter in his elite-level career.[8] Sexton has also contributed to Team USA's success in international events, including Motocross of Nations victories.[9]Early life and amateur career
Early life
Chase Sexton was born on September 23, 1999, in La Moille, Illinois.[3][10][11] Raised in a supportive family deeply immersed in motocross, Sexton was introduced to the sport by his father, Keir Sexton, who played an active role in nurturing his early passion and development.[12][13] The family's dedication to the sport created an environment where riding became a central part of his childhood, fostering his initial skills and enthusiasm.[14] Sexton began riding dirt bikes at the age of three, practicing on local tracks in Illinois and quickly developing a natural affinity for the discipline.[15][16] As his abilities progressed, the family relocated to Clermont, Florida, primarily to support his sister Katie's gymnastics career, which also provided improved training facilities and consistent year-round weather beneficial to his motocross development.[12]Amateur career
Sexton entered amateur motocross racing around the age of 12, competing in local and regional events in Illinois before advancing to national-level competitions by his mid-teens.[17] He participated in the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn's Ranch, earning multiple top finishes across the 85cc and 250cc classes from 2011 to 2016. Notable results include a victory in the 85cc (9-11) Stock class in 2011, second place in the Mini Sr. (12-14) class in 2013, third in Super Mini 1 (12-15) in 2014, and second in 250 B in 2015.[17] In 2016, at age 16, Sexton achieved major success by winning the Open Pro Sport class and finishing second overall in the 250 A class at the AMA Amateur Nationals, where he captured three of six motos in the 250 A division.[18][19] For these performances, he received the 2016 AMA Nicky Hayden Amateur Horizon Award, recognizing him as the event's standout rookie.[19][18] Throughout his amateur career, Sexton was noted for his smooth riding style and consistent performances, qualities that drew attention from professional teams and led to his signing with Factory Connection Honda in 2015.[4]Professional career
250cc career
Chase Sexton entered professional racing in the 250cc class at age 17, signing with the GEICO Honda team for the 2017 season following a standout amateur career highlighted by the AMA Horizon Award. His pro debut was delayed by multiple injuries, including a broken wrist sustained during preseason testing, but he finally competed at the High Point National motocross round on June 17, where he recorded mid-pack finishes such as 12th overall. Adapting to the intensity of professional competition proved challenging, with consistent results in the 8th to 12th range across Supercross and Motocross events; he concluded the year 12th in the AMA Pro Motocross 250 class standings after nine rounds. Riding the Honda CRF250R, Sexton focused on building endurance amid minor setbacks, laying the foundation for future progress.[2][20][21] By 2018, Sexton demonstrated improved consistency while remaining with GEICO Honda on the CRF250R. He secured his first podium finishes, including third place at the San Diego Supercross—his initial top-three in the series—and another third overall at the Tennessee National motocross round with a 4-3 moto score. Additional highlights featured a third at the Seattle Supercross and a runner-up moto at the Ironman National, contributing to six overall podiums across both disciplines. These performances earned him the 250SX Rookie of the Year award and a sixth-place finish in the AMA Pro Motocross 250 class, as he managed minor injuries to enhance his race stamina.[22][23][24][25][3] Sexton's 2019 season marked a breakthrough in Supercross, where he clinched the AMA 250SX East Region Championship aboard the GEICO Honda CRF250R with three main event victories, including his first at East Rutherford. Key highlights encompassed a fourth-place finish at the Atlanta opener—his strongest East start to date—and consistent top-five results that built a points lead over rivals like Austin Forkner. This title, secured with 193 points across 10 rounds, represented his inaugural professional championship and positioned him as a leading contender. In AMA Pro Motocross, he achieved a career-best fifth overall in the 250 class, bolstered by multiple podiums despite ongoing adaptation to elite competition.[26][27][20][1] In 2020, Sexton defended his 250SX East title with GEICO Honda in a COVID-19-shortened series of nine rounds, earning five main event wins—including Arlington, Tampa, and the decisive East/West Showdown at Salt Lake City—to finish with 218 points. The pandemic disruptions tested his resilience, but he maintained dominance with strong starts and error-free riding on the CRF250R. Post-Supercross, he transitioned to the factory Team Honda HRC program, concluding his 250cc tenure with back-to-back championships that affirmed his rise as a premier talent; minor early-career injuries had been overcome, enabling sustained high-level performance.[28][29][30][31]450cc career
Sexton made his debut in the premier 450cc class in 2021 with Team Honda HRC, transitioning from his successful 250cc tenure. In the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship, the rookie secured three podium finishes early in the season but faced setbacks from injuries, including a shoulder strain from a crash in Houston and a high-speed incident at Daytona that required stitches and dental work, ultimately finishing 12th in the standings.[5][32][33] In the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, he posted consistent top-five results across the 11 rounds, highlighted by an overall win at the Washougal National, to end the year fifth overall.[34][35] Remaining with Honda HRC in 2022, Sexton claimed his first 450cc Supercross victory at the San Diego round, leading wire-to-wire in a dominant performance before 41,902 fans. He built on that momentum with additional podiums but encountered challenges like a late-season crash in Atlanta, closing the year sixth in the standings. In Pro Motocross, Sexton mounted a strong challenge for the title, securing three overall wins at Fox Raceway I, Thunder Valley, and Washougal, which propelled him to second in the final standings behind Eli Tomac. His season culminated in a pivotal role for Team USA at the Motocross of Nations in RedBud, Michigan, where he finished second and third in the Open class motos to help secure the Chamberlin Trophy and end an 11-year U.S. drought.[36][37][34][38][39][40] Sexton's partnership with Honda HRC peaked in 2023 as he captured his first 450cc Supercross title, achieving six wins and 13 podiums en route to a 37-point championship margin—the manufacturer's first premier-class crown since 2003. The victory in the season finale at Salt Lake City sealed the deal after a hard-fought battle with Eli Tomac and Cooper Webb. Transitioning to the outdoor season still with Honda, Sexton adapted to the rigors of defending his indoor success but dealt with bike setup challenges and consistency issues, finishing fourth in Pro Motocross despite podiums at rounds like Hangtown and Southwick.[41][42][34] In a major team shift ahead of 2024, Sexton joined Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, seeking a fresh environment to build on his championship pedigree. He notched multiple podiums in Supercross, including a win in the mud at Arlington, to finish third overall in a competitive field led by Jett Lawrence. Outdoors, Sexton overcame an early-season goggle malfunction and crash at Fox Raceway to surge mid-season, securing seven overall wins, including six consecutive victories from Unadilla through Ironman and clinching the Pro Motocross 450cc title with 531 points—KTM's first since 2010—while noting significant improvements in the bike's handling and his confidence.[43][44] Sexton continued with KTM in 2025, where he remained a title contender in Supercross, securing runner-up honors with consistent top-three finishes but falling short of the championship amid intense rivalry with the Lawrence brothers. His outdoor campaign was derailed by an early-season shoulder injury from a crash at Fox Raceway, compounded by a goggle issue and subsequent sidelining for recovery, leading to a 14th-place finish in Pro Motocross with limited appearances in the final rounds. In November 2025, Sexton announced a multi-year move to Monster Energy Kawasaki for 2026, marking his third team transition in five years and emphasizing a desire for long-term stability after navigating injuries and adapting to new machinery throughout his 450cc ascent from promising rookie to multi-time champion.[43][45][46][34][47]Results and statistics
Supercross
Chase Sexton has competed in the AMA Supercross Championship across the 250cc East Region and 450cc classes, achieving notable success with multiple titles and consistent top finishes. In the 250cc East Region, he secured championships in both 2019 and 2020, amassing 5 total wins through consistent performances on the GEICO Honda team. Transitioning to the 450cc class in 2021, Sexton has recorded 16 career wins and 43 podiums across approximately 80 starts as of the end of the 2025 season, establishing himself as a premier contender in the stadium-based series known for its technical tracks featuring rhythm sections and triples.[3][5][28] In the 250cc East Region, Sexton's 2019 season culminated in the championship without a main event win, relying on five podium finishes across nine rounds to edge out rivals like Austin Forkner by three points. The 2020 season, shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, saw him dominate with five wins in seven starts, including victories at Arlington, Tampa, and the East/West Showdown in Salt Lake City, clinching the title by nine points over Shane McElrath.[26][48][28] Sexton's 450cc Supercross career began in 2021 as a rookie with Honda HRC, where injuries, including a thumb issue early in the season, limited his participation and resulted in three podiums but a 12th-place overall finish with 162 points. In 2022, he earned his first 450cc win at San Diego and finished fourth in the standings. The 2023 season marked his breakthrough, winning the championship with six victories, including back-to-back wins at Anaheim 1 and 2, and 13 podiums for Honda's first 450cc title since 2003. Moving to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing in 2024, he placed third overall. In 2025, despite crashes impacting rounds like Tampa and Arlington, Sexton secured seven wins—his career high—and 12 podiums to finish second in the championship, two points behind Cooper Webb.[49][36][7][50][51]| Year | Class | Overall Finish | Wins | Podiums | Points | Top Qualifying Positions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 250SX East | 1st | 0 | 5 | 170 | N/A |
| 2020 | 250SX East | 1st | 5 | 7 | 218 | N/A |
| 2021 | 450SX | 12th | 0 | 3 | 162 | 2 |
| 2022 | 450SX | 4th | 1 | 7 | 295 | 5 |
| 2023 | 450SX | 1st | 6 | 13 | 369 | 14 |
| 2024 | 450SX | 3rd | 2 | 8 | 307 | 6 |
| 2025 | 450SX | 2nd | 7 | 12 | 363 | 9 |
Motocross
Chase Sexton has secured 14 overall wins in the 450cc class of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship, complemented by 42 moto podium finishes through the 2025 season.[6][4] These accomplishments highlight his transition from the 250cc class to elite competition in the 450cc division, where he has consistently challenged for titles in the endurance-demanding outdoor series consisting of up to 12 rounds annually.[3] In the 250cc class, Sexton competed professionally from 2017 to 2019, achieving his best result with a 5th-place finish in the 2019 standings, marked by multiple overall podiums that demonstrated his rising prowess on varied terrain.[55] He moved to the 450cc class full-time in 2020, ending the shortened seven-round season in 5th overall after earning his first premier-class victory at the finale in Fox Raceway.[56][57] The following year, 2021, saw another 5th-place finish, bolstered by a breakthrough win at Washougal National via 1-3 moto results.[58][59] In 2022, Sexton elevated to runner-up status with two overall victories, including a dominant performance at his home track.[60] He placed 4th in 2023 amid a competitive field.[61] Sexton captured the 450cc title in 2024, dominating with seven round wins and clinching the championship one moto early at Ironman Raceway.[62] Injuries limited his 2025 campaign, resulting in a 14th-place finish despite a resilient victory at Washougal.[63][64] Notable highlights include Sexton's 1-1 moto sweep at the 2024 Red Bud National, where he overtook the points lead in front of his hometown crowd in Buchanan, Michigan, marking his fourth career perfect moto score.[65] Internationally, he played a pivotal role in Team USA's 2022 Motocross of Nations triumph at Red Bud, posting 2nd and 3rd in the Open class motos to help secure the overall team victory and end an 11-year U.S. drought.[66]450cc Class Year-by-Year Results
| Year | Overall Position | Overall Wins | Moto Podiums | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 5th | 1 | 3 | 201 |
| 2021 | 5th | 1 | 5 | 282 |
| 2022 | 2nd | 2 | 10 | 435 |
| 2023 | 4th | 2 | 6 | 339 |
| 2024 | 1st | 7 | 15 | 504 |
| 2025 | 14th | 1 | 3 | 147 |