At the 15th round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross in Philadelphia, a significant change took place in Chase Sexton’s team setup. Sexton, a prominent rider, was paired with a new mechanic named Kyle Defoe, replacing his previous mechanic Brandon Zimmerman.
Zimmerman, known for his successful collaboration with Adam Cianciarulo, had been supporting Sexton since the 2021 off-season, following him to the KTM team after Sexton’s move post the 2023 season.
This change came shortly after an incident in the previous race at Nashville SX, where a rock hit and cracked Sexton’s throttle body, resulting in a dramatic crash during the 450SX main event.
Despite sustaining injuries from the crash, Sexton clarified that the decision to switch mechanics was not related to the Nashville incident. Reports from Steve Matthes suggested that there were compatibility issues between Zimmerman and the KTM, prompting the change.
In a post addressing the switch, Sexton expressed gratitude towards Zimmerman, acknowledging their successful collaboration and emphasizing that the decision was made independently by the team and Zimmerman himself.
He clarified that the Nashville incident was a freak accident and not attributable to any fault on Zimmerman’s part. Sexton’s message conveyed respect and well wishes for Zimmerman’s future endeavors, indicating a positive relationship despite the change.
Despite the transition, Sexton showcased a return to form in the 15th round, demonstrating his usual speed by posting the fastest lap of the 450SX main event. He made an impressive charge from eighth place to finish second, securing his eighth podium of the season.
Currently occupying fourth place in the standings after round 15, Sexton’s performance indicated resilience and determination amidst the changes in his team setup.
