Memorable Performance Puts Chase Sexton on Top of Pro Motocross Championship at Hangtown Motocross Classic

Round 2: Prairie City SVRA – Rancho Cordova, CA

Haiden Deegan Goes Back-to-Back to Open 250 Class Title Fight

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA – June 2, 2024 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – The second round of the 2024 Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, traveled to Northern California, in the shadow of the state capital of Sacramento, for the landmark 55th running of the Michael’s Reno Powersports Hangtown Motocross Classic Presented by Yamaha Power Assist Bicycles. Abundant sunshine and temperatures approaching 90 degrees greeted racers and fans at Prairie City SVRA in what became an instant classic of the 53-year championship. While one major storyline centered around the end of Australian phenom Jett Lawrence’s perfect record in 450 Class competition, it was Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Chase Sexton who left a lasting impression with a captivating victory that resulted in a dramatic shakeup of the early title fight. In the 250 Class, points leader and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider Haiden Deegan overcame misfortune in the second moto to prevail with back-to-back wins to open the season.

Moto 1

The first moto began with the Australian siblings of Jett and Hunter Lawrence leading the field through the first turn side-by-side. Hunter edged out his younger brother for the MotoSport.com Holeshot, but ultimately conceded the lead to Jett. The defending champion and entering points leader looked to sprint away, but a misjudgment on one of the downhills resulted in a hard crash. Jett was slow to get up and was forced to visit the mechanics area to attend to his Honda, which effectively ended his 24-moto winning streak in Pro Motocross. Hunter inherited the lead, followed by Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson in second and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Justin Cooper in third.

Lawrence and Anderson were able to establish themselves at the front of the field while Sexton, who started fifth, made the pass on Cooper to take over third. Sexton then put his head down to close in on the lead duo. As he looked to pressure Anderson for third Sexton had a miscue that caused him to lose ground and from there the KTM rider settled into a slower pace. The gap between each of the top three stabilized until Anderson tipped over with less than 10 minutes to go, which handed second to Sexton while Anderson remounted in third.

Sexton bided his time and mounted an attack in the closing minutes of the moto, which saw him close…