Cooper Webb broke his overall point tie with Chase Sexton in a dramatic finish in the Supercross Round 7 triple crown races in Arlington, Texas.
Going into the 450 races on Saturday, Sexton and Webb were tied for first in overall points with 121 points. After tonight’s racing, Webb now leads with 146 points and Sexton is in second with 141. Webb won two out of the three triple crown races to move ahead of Sexton in points.
In the first race of the 450SX triple crown, Justin Cooper claimed the hole shot with Ken Roczen and Aaron Plessinger not far behind. Sexton passed Plessinger for third while Jason Anderson crashed further back.
Roczen stayed on Cooper’s heels for the entirety of the race, successfully passing with about one minute left. Sexton raced nearly seven seconds behind second place Cooper.
Before the end of the race, Roczen nearly crashed in the rhythm section, allowing Cooper to get within striking distance. Despite the near crash, Roczen placed first, followed by Cooper in second and Sexton in third.
In the second race, Cooper Webb had a better start than in the first race, but Sexton and Cooper raced to the lead, with Cooper claiming the hole shot by a hair. Sexton managed to stay ahead of Webb, racing closely behind Cooper.
“Sexton is all over Justin Cooper,” commentators said.
Sexton and Cooper fought for the lead before Sexton edged Cooper out, moving into first place position. A small mistake around the next corner allowed Cooper to pass Sexton as Sexton crashed after over rotating his bike and losing his grip.
Webb and Justin Hill passed Sexton as he scrambled to get back on his bike. Webb caught Cooper, passing him on the outside.
Sexton passed Hill and was breathing down Cooper’s neck by the two-minute mark. Sexton passed Cooper right before the sand section in a pass that was “executed perfectly.”
Webb placed first, Sexton second and Cooper third. Anderson reportedly received a written warning following the race after a collision that occurred with Justin Barcia during the race.
Race three was an edge of your seat race as racers fought for the win. Shane McElrath claimed the hole shot ahead of Plessinger, Roczen and Webb. Sexton and Webb got caught in the pack, racing in seventh and eighth place.
As Cooper closed in on Roczen, McElrath lost control of his bike on the “slippery whoops” section, forcing him to ride of the track to gain control. Plessinger moved to first with McElrath in second and Stewart in third. Sexton moved to sixth while Webb remained in seventh. Anderson passed Stewart for third.
Roczen flew to first place while McElrath maintained second place. Both McElrath and Anderson rode closely behind Roczen as Sexton moved to fifth.
Anderson passed McElrath for second while Sexton passed Stewart and McElrath to ride in third place. Sexton was working to put distance between himself and Webb, according to commentators, as they were tied for first place in overall points.
In the same lap, Sexton passed second place Anderson and rode about two seconds behind Roczen with seven minutes left in the race. In one lap, Sexton had cut Roczen’s lead to one second.
Soon, the two were riding side by side. Sexton attempted to pass Roczen coming out of the whoops, but Roczen held on with five minutes left. Soon, Webb had moved to third, not far behind second place Sexton.
Sexton passed Roczen, roaring ahead in his newly claimed lead as Webb worked on passing Roczen. Through Roczen tried to hold on, Webb passed Roczen in the whoops.
With two minutes left in the race, Sexton’s bike stalled coming out of a turn, allowing Webb and Roczen to pass. Sexton passed Roczen to reclaim second place as Anderson joined the group of riders vying for first place.
“All four riders have a chance at this,” commentators said.
Anderson passed Roczen as Sexton attempted to pass Webb. Instead, Sexton crashed into the back of Webb’s bike. As he landed on the track, he was ran over by a lapped rider.
Webb won the third race of the triple crown, becoming the overall points leader. Anderson placed second, Roczen third, Barcia fourth and Sexton fifth.
The next Supercross race will take place at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Saturday.
| 1. Cooper Webb | Yamaha | 146 |
| 2. Chase Sexton | KTM | 141 |
| 3. Ken Roczen | Suzuki | 127 |
| 4. Jason Anderson | Kawasaki | 111 |
| 5. Malcolm Stewart | Husqvarna | 108 |
| 6. Justin Cooper | Yamaha | 104 |
| 7. Justin Barcia | GasGas | 99 |
| 8. Justin Hill | KTM | 86 |
| 9. Eli Tomac (injured) | Yamaha | 80 |
| 10. Jett Lawrence (injured) | Honda | 71 |
