Cycle News Staff | January 28, 2021
The shoulder injury that Chase Sexton suffered at the Houston 2 Supercross will force Honda HRC team rider to miss the next two rounds of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross in Indianapolis. Sexton hopes to come back at the third Indy round.
Chase Sexton will sit out the next two Supercross rounds.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27
Honda HRC Release:
Still suffering from the effects of his January 19 crash during the Houston 2 supercross, Chase Sexton is not making the trip to Indiana ahead of this Saturday’s Indianapolis 1 Supercross.
The incident saw the Team Honda HRC rider suffer a crash exiting the sand section, leading him to miss the third Houston round of the AMA Supercross series, and his right shoulder still lacks strength. X-ray and MRI scans were negative for fractures or tears, and doctors have diagnosed Sexton with a contusion and strain of the right rotator cuff and scapula.
While he continues a physical therapy program at his home in Florida, Sexton is still not physically ready to race. Currently, the target is for him to return for the third Indianapolis round, on February 6; however, he is being monitored day by day, and the decision could change.
In the meantime, Team Honda HRC will continue to be represented by Ken Roczen (who is currently leading the 450SX standings) and 250SX East rider Jett Lawrence.
“After my shoulder injury from Houston 2, I feel a little bit better,” said Sexton, whose birthplace of La Moille, Illinois, is just 250 miles from Indianapolis. “I have range of motion back, but I’m still pretty weak in the shoulder. The MRI results came back good; it’s just a really bad strain and contusion in my right shoulder and shoulder blade. I wish I was racing this weekend in Indy, especially it being my home race, but my goal is to be back for Indy 3; that’s what we’re shooting for. I’m trying to gain strength in my shoulder because I don’t really want to come back unless I’m ready to go win—I want to be 100%. It’s going to be a tough one, but hopefully, we can get back and start competing where we left off—in the lead. I’m looking forward to seeing everybody at the races. It’s a bummer I’m missing my home race, but I’m excited to be there next Saturday and finish off the season strong.”
FRIDAY, JANUARY 22
Honda HRC Release:
Team Honda HRC rider Chase Sexton crashed while leading the second round of the 2021 Monster Energy Supercross in Houston Texas. In just his second Supercross race on a 450, the rookie won his heat race and then took the lead to start the main event. He led the first six laps and crashed on the seventh lap of what ended up being a twenty-nine-lap main event. He was able to walk off the track under his own power but was holding his left arm. Sexton updated his status on Instagram on Thursday, January 21st:
“It kills me to say I won’t be lining up Saturday for the 3rd round of @supercrosslive due to my crash Tuesday night. I’ve been having problems with my right shoulder being weak and limited range of motion. Getting MRI done tomorrow back in Florida to see if there is any damage done internally. Hoping to be back next weekend at 100% for Indianapolis. Thank you for the support ??.”
This is what Sexton originally stated on Wednesday, January 20th.
“Went from a dream night to a disaster in a split second. I felt so good last night and especially in the main I was locked in and was very comfortable with the track until the crash. Thanks for everyone checking in and seeing how I am but as of right now my right shoulder is pretty banged up. Just waiting for further evaluations but hoping it’s just deep bruising! I’ll keep everyone updated as soon as I know more!”
Chase Sexton.
Sexton had similar comments in the HRC Honda press release.
“The day started off pretty good. I had pretty good practice qualifiers and was second in both of them. I got my first heat-race win in my second race on a 450, which was good. In the main event, I got a good start and was really feeling good out front—in control and hitting my marks really well. I put a pretty good gap between myself and [Eli] Tomac but made a small mistake that cost me big—hit the ground pretty hard. I’m really sore and my right shoulder is pretty beat up. I hope to be back racing here soon and try to finish the job and get my first win.”
Check out the Houston Supercross highlights, including Sexton’s crash here.
Read the 2021 Houston Supercross Round 2 results story here.
The third round will take place this Saturday, January 23rd back in Houston at NRG stadium.
Click here for the latest supercross news and results.
