DENVER, Colorado: Chase Sexton made an aggressive pass on Cooper Webb early in the race to take the lead. He dominated the race after that pass and scored his 15th career win, but the question remains whether it will be enough.
“To be honest, I was a little fired up,” Sexton told Peacock’s Will Christien. "[Cooper Webb] crashed into me kind of hard on the start and almost took me out. I was kind of seeing red after that. Yeah, I made an aggressive move, but I had to. I knew I was faster tonight so I didn’t want him to get out front and break away.”
The move Sexton referenced came on the first lap when Malcolm Stewart jumped left on one of the straights forcing Webb to jump left as well. The accordion effect was worst for Sexton, but everyone made it through the turn.
Webb finished second and heads into the season finale with a nine-point advantage heading into Salt Lakes City. He needs to finish fifth or better there to record this third championship. Webb has finished worse than fourth once this year, in the second Anaheim, California, race.
“We were fighting for position,” Webb said. “I was trying to get Malcolm. I apologize if [Sexton thought I cross-jumped him] but I understand his frustration, for sure.”
Justin Cooper made the pass on Stewart for third at the end of the race and had a decision to make. Passing Webb would cost his teammate another two points and change the clinch scenario in Salt Lake City. During the post-race conference, Cooper admitted that factored into his decision, but also stated he was distracted by the battle to finish on the podium. Cooper scored back-to-back podium finishes for the first time in his 450 career.
Stewart kept Webb and Cooper honest. Sensing some vulnerability in Cooper, he pressed hard on the final lap and nearly spun in the final turn before settling for fourth.
Aaron Plessinger rounded out the top five.
In-Race Notes
Stewart got the holeshot and early lead, but a surging Webb passed him on Lap 1.
Sexton completed the first lap in third.
Sexton got around Stewart for second on Lap 2 and had plenty of time to catch and pass Webb. They entered this race with a 12-point gap for the championship.
Sexton continued to beat Webb in the whoops and on Lap 3, he pushed Webb high in the bowl turn leading to the finish line. Webb stayed upright, but lost the spot.
Stewart remained third on Lap 5 with Shane McElrath and Aaron Plessinger rounding out the top five.
Once in the lead, Sexton built his advantage to more than six seconds on Lap 9.
Plessinger took over fourth with 11 minutes, 30 seconds on the clock.
On Lap 11, Cooper took over the fifth-place position.
Stewart caught Webb on Lap 12. The additional two-point differential between second and third could be important in Salt Lake City.
Cooper joined the fight in the closing laps after getting a poor start that saw him ninth at the conclusion of Lap 1.
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