For the second time this summer in AMA Pro Motocross it looked like we were in for an Aaron Plessinger win, only for his Red Bull KTM teammate Chase Sexton to hunt him down and pass him late in the race. The first time was at the second round at Hangtown when Plessinger lead the entire race and Sexton, who fell on the first lap and came from last place, passed him with only a few corners left in the race. It was a heartbreak for Plessinger, but considering it was a once in a lifetime ride for Sexton, fans were happy to see either one win.
The first moto at Washougal saw Plessinger rocket into the lead and open up a decent sized gap of just over five seconds. He led for thirteen laps before Sexton, who took a while to get into second, started to reel him in. However, for a minute it looked like Plessinger might rise to the challenge as he picked up his pace to match Sexton’s. He said in the post-race press conference:
“I was scared of him catching, he freaking dug into my, what was it, like a five or six second gap? He dug into about four seconds of it, and I got scared and I started running away! I just told myself I had to be perfect and that lap, I didn't make any mistakes. I just cruised and I was breathing good, and I just hit my lines really, really good. All the other laps I was thinking behind me so I would make mistakes and that was just a perfect lap.”
In his post-race TV interview after that moto, Plessinger said he was even trying to save up a little energy to be ready for the attack from his teammate. Just when it looked like he was going to put up a fight, and on a track that is known to be hard to pass on, Plessinger stalled his bike in a corner and Sexton snuck by. Clearly disappointed with his mistake, he was seen on camera hitting the side of his helmet afterwards. However, the fun-loving racer did not let it get him down for too long, nor did he seem to hold it against his teammate for passing him. The teammates seem to have a good relationship as Plessinger was seen ribbing Sexton after the race when asked how bad the roost hurt going up Horsepower Hill.
“For the first moto? I can't say [how the roost felt because] I was too far gone [looks over at Chase and laughs]. Chase said he was gonna get the holeshot and I had I told him he's got to beat me to the first corner first. So, yeah, that's how mine went.”
Loved by teammates and fans alike, Plessingers 2-3 for second overall on the day was well received. Perhaps the most patriotic rider on the circuit, he is quickly becoming known as Captain America. Rivaling RedBud fans over Fourth of July weekend, the Washougal fans introduced a new chant, “US-AP!”
“Yeah, these fans are up here crazy. They're awesome and going around the hot line for the first moto, I was like, 'Wow, they really showed out today.' But yeah, it's always a good time up here. It's a beautiful place and I think this is the most people I've seen here in a while. So, they were covering the whole hillside and then in between down where the ‘S’ corners are, I couldn't even see the ground. So, it was cool, they were loud, and they kept me going in that second moto for sure.”
A near moto win and second overall will The Cowboy’s confidence as the series heads into a two-week break.
“I would love a break. Outdoors is no joke, and getting two weekends off is, it's gonna be cool. You get to hang out with the family and do some stuff that I wouldn’t normally do. So, I'm ready for it.”
Speaking of fans and a couple of weeks off, it looked like Plessinger started his break only moments after the second moto when he exchanged his goggles for a drink of a fans… beverage.
“Yeah, I stopped. The dude poured it on me, a little bit got in my mouth, and I tried to spit it back out which in return, spit into my mouthpiece and then went straight into my eyes. So, the ride to the podium was pretty fun after that. Did taste all right though.”
After a little downtime with the family, hopefully Plessinger can carry this momentum into Unadilla, another track he has ridden well at in the past.
