Seeking to return to the top of the 450cc throne, Honda’s Chase Sexton appeared more motivated than ever to succeed while competing in the opening round of the SMX playoff system in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was evident that he was determined to claim victory before the 2023 calendar year was completed, and after falling short to Jett Lawrence’s dominant run through the outdoor season, Sexton would seemingly portray as much speed as possible from the moment his wheels hit the raceway in practice. His momentum was elite, and carried into the first moto where he occupied second Justin Barcia...but there was little time to waste in regard to Sexton’s game-plan, therefore a move would be made as Sexton shot to the flattened portion of the split lane to begin lap two. He held the inside segment of the two-way(ed) option when launching into the vicinity of the mechanic’s area — which solidified the move over the GasGas rider once and for all as Sexton proceeded to break away from the field immediately. It was a matter of racing the clock from that point forward, where the lap-times of the number twenty-three(d) competitor were phenomenal amongst the slick surface. From carving through crusted ruts, to tracking his rear wheel when swaying into outside berms, Sexton was astounding. His transition speed from corner to corner would never lapse with momentum, and his lead was constantly extending before he decided to maintain a level of poise when nearing the checkered flag. Ultimately leading sixteen laps in total, the rider from Illinois was ecstatic while returning to his pit area. He aspired to recreate that performance in the second moto and would begin third, just behind Ty Masterpool as the first full lap of action was completed. Making a definitive move on the Kawasaki rider by the fourth circuit, it was then a process of chipping away at the lead in which Ken Roczen had created. Minute by minute, the margin would diminish as the two neared a pivotal point on the eleventh circuit. It was here, where Sexton unleashed an abundance of speed in a quick-striking manner and proceeded to bombard Roczen with a series of moves, that led to a pass being made in the off-cambered corner! Sneaking to the inside and unleashing the clutch amid an overflow of RPM, he would exit the corner with immense aggression before blasting into the sand section...never looking back while he visualized the checkered flag ahead. Ultimately solidifying the win in the moments thereafter, the dominant one-one performance on Sexton’s behalf would be just what was needed for the confidence of the 2023 450SX champion!