Saturday Night Live: Salt Lake City

Up ahead, no one could touch Sexton, who finally, finally, showed his 2023 speed with his first fastest qualifying time of the year, then a dominant heat race win, and then a strong ride to win the main event. It was his second win of the year, but the first in a non mud race.

“It definitely means a lot,” Sexton said. “I had to kind of claw myself back to where I felt like I was riding good. It’s been a tough journey. The team and I have put a lot of work in. It’s taken us about, I don’t know, 16 rounds to get it good, but we’re in a good spot now. Today was a big day for me. I feel like I had really good speed and a really good start in that Main Event. I tried second gear [on the gate] for the first time all day and it paid off. I needed a good start and just rode a solid race. But overall, I’m looking forward to outdoors. I’ve been doing a lot of outdoor riding and testing and [I’m] ready to start a new championship. It’s a good way to end this one and head into that new season.”

Sexton closest challenger for the win was…Justin Cooper?! Yes, the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rookie gated well, successfully fended off teammate Webb, and then kept Sexton close throughout the race. “I was looking for this podium all year and it just happened to come at the last round,” said Cooper. “We saved the best for last. I just have to give it up to the whole team. Yamaha, they gave me a chance this year and really took me under their wing and worked hard with me. I had some great teammates this year and they pushed me the whole way. I’m glad to end on a high note.”

Webb dug deep through his thumb injury to collect one more podium, and try to keep himself in position to win the title if Lawrence faltered.

“It’s been a great year. Second in the championship’s not what you want, but as we can see Jett’s a once-in-a-generation guy and he’s the real deal,” said Webb. “I’m proud of my year, I’m proud of my team, I’m proud of my family. I truly know what we’ve been dealing with these last few races and rounds, I don’t know if there’s many guys that would’ve finished this season, so I can hang my head high on that. And I know I’ll be back stronger next year, and with some fight, and we know what we need to work on. Congrats to Jett and [that] whole team, they killed it this year. I just want to give it up to my team; they really invested a lot into me this whole year and they believed in me from the start, and I got back to championship form this year and probably the best version of myself. So, I’m super proud of that, super proud of the way I held myself in there all year. And it’s going to be a great thing, we’ll get surgery Monday on this thumb and enjoy my second baby coming and some down time. So yeah, we’ll be back next year, I know that’s for damn sure.” 

The 250 classes were expecting to have the most drama, what with a tie for the 250SX West lead between RJ Hampshire and Levi Kitchen. In practice, Hampshire had Kitchen covered, but in the heat Kitchen struck back with a clutch win, holding off his rival to the end. In the main, Kitchen’s starts, which had been on point most of the season, betrayed him, and he started behind Hampshire. He was close early but Hampshire made a few key passes early while Kitchen couldn’t find ways around Nate Thrasher and Jo Shimoda. This allowed Hampshire to get the buffer he needed to get away and put the title on ice, a culmination of a 10-year pro journey.

"It's so special," Hampshire reflected. "Everybody has their own story and I was determined to write my own. To have an opportunity to win a championship, just to be a part of that, is truly special. I've had so many ups, so many downs, and still people who just believed in me. My group, I would not change, and a massive thanks to everybody who has been involved and a part of the story. I was the fastest guy all day today, had a decent start in the Main Event, and did what I needed to do – in the end, we finally did it and it was a good race to clinch the championship!" 

"There's nobody who deserves it more than RJ," commented Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team Manager, Nathan Ramsey. "He works so hard, he's a warrior, and never, ever gives up. I'm so happy for the team, the crew, and everybody that's a part of this. We pulled this thing together and RJ brought it home for us! RJ's been working at this and dreaming of this forever, so to have him be able to finally wrap his head around it and learn how to piece it all together, here we are – champions."

In the 250 East, Haiden Deegan put on his best performance of the year with the fast qualifier time, a heat race win and the main event win, his third of the season. His title chances were slim since he trailed Tom Vialle by 15 points coming into the race, but Vialle struggled mightily in his heat, only taking ninth. Vialle recovered with a clutch, strong start from his gate way to the outside, and rode steady from there to lock up the 250SX East Championship in just his second season indoors.

"That's pretty amazing, to learn one year and then win this title in the second year,” said Vialle. “After I won Daytona and made it two in a row in Birmingham, I knew I could fight for the title. I made it to the end and I felt great all season. Going into Supercross this year, I enjoyed it even more and am very happy to win the championship. It's only my second year here and feel like I have a lot to learn, am still learning every race, but I'm really excited now to head outdoors in two weeks at Pala. Thank you to everybody that has been behind us for this championship."

Said Ian Harrison, the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: "Starting at the first race when Tom wrecked in the first turn and finished 18th, I literally thought the season was over and it was just going to be another learning year for him. And then he found his groove, started winning a couple of races, and was finishing on the podium, getting better and better – the next thing we knew, we were in the lead. Daytona was a special one for us, always tough to win, and I was really proud of him there. We had the points lead coming into the final round and I was quite confident until practice today, but then I felt a little bit nervous as the day went on because it seemed like some of the stress was maybe getting to Tom a little bit. I have to say, he handled himself really well in the Main Event, put himself in a good position, and finished where he needed to finish. I'm super proud, it's been a long time since we've won a 250 title and it feels really, really good."