After a week off, AMA Pro Motocross kicked off its second half this weekend with the Spring Creek National in Millville, Minnesota, where Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton qualified fastest and finished fourth overall via an 8-3 moto tally. Sexton battled for the lead in both motos, running as high as third in the first outing before a fall eventually set him back to eighth. He proved his speed in moto two, battling at the front and finishing on the podium with the fastest lap time, for fourth overall.

Christian Craig showed good speed in both outings at round six, battling to a seventh-place finish with a 7-6 performance. He looks forward to improving his starts and maintaining a top position next weekend.

NOTES

• Round six saw cool temperatures and ideal weather conditions for Saturday’s race, compared to the warm weather the series had experienced at the previous rounds.
• With a week off following the RedBud National doubleheader, most of the Team Honda HRC crew spent time testing and prepping in Southern California with Christian Craig, while others tested with Chase Sexton at the James Stewart Compound in Haines City, Florida. Test rider Trey Canard also attended Honda’s media ride event for the 2021 CRF450R.
• Tickets were available for the Spring Creek National–with spectator access limited to public areas and social-distancing guidelines enforced–and will be for the remaining rounds. That said, all remaining events will limit spectator capacity to comply with social-distancing protocols.
• Everyone needed to pass a health screening prior to entering the premises, similar to previous rounds. Event rules also dictated the use of face masks at all times, with the exception of riders when wearing a helmet. Teams were asked to practice social distancing and only permit essential personnel in the team pods. Media interview opportunities were permitted in the pro paddock at the sole discretion of each individual team/rider, but all parties had to wear masks, even during filming.
• Veteran rider Justin Brayton visited Team Honda HRC in Millville this weekend, viewing the race from a “fan” perspective. He shared his guidance and expertise with the riders, aiding in a successful weekend for the team.
• The top three riders per class participated in a virtual post-race press conference Saturday evening. Several other requested riders will join an additional post-race press Zoom conference Monday evening.
• Sexton posted the fastest lap during morning qualifying, with a 2’02.557” time in the final session. Craig had the fifth-best time, at 2’04.603”.
• GEICO Honda’s Jeremy Martin was fast in the 250 class, battling forward in moto one to finish fifth. In the second outing, Martin started just outside the top five and fought for the lead with title rival Dylan Ferrandis. Martin finished runner-up via a 5-2 moto tally and now stands three points behind Ferrandis, in second. Teammate Jett Lawrence was also competitive, finishing fourth overall, with Hunter Lawrence, Jo Shimoda and Carson Mumford earning seventh, eighth, and 12th overall, respectively.
• Team Honda HRC will head to WW Ranch Park in Jacksonville, Florida, next Saturday for the seventh round.

Chase Sexton 23 “Today started off good. I had the fastest qualifier and felt really good on the bike. In the first moto, I got a good start but ended up going down with one lap to go. I had another good start in the second moto. I made my way up to second and stayed there pretty much the whole race. I made a little mistake and slid out, ending up third for fourth overall. I’m looking forward to the Florida race--kind of a home race for me.”

Christian Craig 62 “This weekend went well. It was a beautiful day and the weather was finally good, with no rain. For qualifying, I was sixth in the first practice and fifth in the second. I ended up sixth overall, which was my best so far. In the first moto I got off to a midpack start; it wasn’t the greatest, but I made some quick passes up to ninth and then found myself in a heated battle with a lot of top guys, ending up seventh by the checkered flag. I got a better start in the second moto and was in eighth for a while. Eli Tomac got around me and then we made some passes. I was pretty much locked onto him and we went through the pack pretty well. We got up to Justin Barcia at one point and then we both got stuck in fifth and sixth. I finished seventh overall; I’m right on that cusp of breaking the top five, which is what I want, so I just have to keep pushing.”

Erik Kehoe - Team Manager “Both Chase and Christian rode really well this weekend. Chase obviously had the speed to run up front all day, qualifying first, finishing third in moto two and posting the fastest lap, but unfortunately he crashed late in moto one, which hurt his chance for a podium spot overall. Christian continues to ride strong and had a solid effort; He wants to improve his starts to run up front.”

Jade Dungey - Mechanic (Chase Sexton) “Millville was a solid day for Chase and the team. We came up just short of the overall podium today, but it was great seeing Chase having the fastest qualifying lap, as well as battling with Adam [Cianciarulo] and [Blake] Baggett in the second moto. Chase will now head back home and get in another solid week of riding. We’re looking forward to one of his favorite tracks on the circuit at WW Ranch.”

Jordan Troxell - Mechanic (Christian Craig) “Overall I’d say it was Christian’s best day, start to finish. His starts were a bit off today, but he put in a great charge in the first moto. He sat behind Eli [Tomac] the majority of the race and even tried a couple pass attempts late in the race. The second moto was more of the same, staying in that top group and battling with Eli again. I know Christian can keep it rolling and look forward to next weekend’s race in Florida.”