Solid 450 Debut for Sexton at Loretta Lynn’s AMA Pro Motocross Opener

After a COVID-19-related delay, the 2020 AMA Pro Motocross series kicked off this weekend at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, where Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton made his premier-class debut, qualifying fastest and finishing eighth overall via a 13-3 moto tally. Sexton battled for the lead in both motos, running as high as third in the first outing before falls eventually set him back to 13th. He proved his speed in moto two, battling at the front and finishing on the podium, for eighth overall.

Christian Craig was thwarted by poor starts and a hard moto-two crash. He finished 14th in both races for the same position overall.

NOTES

• This was the first AMA Pro Motocross National for Loretta Lynn’s Ranch, the facility known for hosting the annual AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, which took place the previous week. For this event, minor layout adjustments were made to add length and technicality to the course.

• The Ranch won’t have to wait nearly as long for its second AMA Pro National, as next week’s race–originally slated to take place in Washougal, Washington–has been moved to the Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, track. It will be the first time a circuit has hosted back-to-back National rounds.

• After a dry week of racing for the AMA Amateur Nationals, the Ranch experienced a couple days of intermittent thunderstorms leading up to race day, leaving the course wet and muddy. The track proved to be extremely challenging for the pros, due to the rutted, technical conditions.

• Compared to the AMA Supercross series, concluded just under two months ago in Salt Lake City, the AMA Pro Motocross season sees Team Honda HRC presenting an entirely new rider lineup. Chase Sexton was promoted to the factory squad midyear following his second-straight 250SX East Region title, while Christian Craig is filling in for Ken Roczen for the entire series. Craig has served as a substitute rider for the team several times in the past, most recently in 2018. The pair know each other well from their time together at GEICO Honda.

• The team arrived in Nashville on Thursday, and mechanics began working out of the trucks (which had arrived a week earlier) in their designated paddock location. The trucks will remain in place this week for round two.

• The State of Tennessee did not require all event attendees to be tested for COVID-19, although everyone needed to pass a health screening prior to entering the premises. Event rules also dictated the use of face masks for all non-riders at all times.

• New rules regarding rider assistance were developed to allow social distancing, including only one mechanic and one team representative per rider allowed at the podium area.

• To align with local government and health officials, only 5,000 tickets were available for the event.

• Sexton posted the fastest lap during morning qualifying, with a 1’58.840” time in the final session. Craig had the 10th-best time, at 2’03.073”.

• GEICO Honda’s Jeremy Martin was fast in the 250 class, with 2-3 moto results giving him third overall. The Minnesota native had to come from behind in both outings. Teammate Jett Lawrence was also competitive, earning sixth overall, with Carson Mumford, Jo Shimoda and Hunter Lawrence earning 13th, 16th and 17th overall, respectively.

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Kayla Mead // Jonnum Media // kayla@jonnummedia.com // +1 (760) 822-4786