What Really Happened in Detroit?
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Chase Sexton’s and Cooper Webb’s seasons have been so, so different, yet they’re identical in three key metrics and close in a 4th. The chart says it all:
Sexton vs. Webb Through 6 Rounds
In Detroit, Webb secured his first win. Sexton has two (and finally has a podium that isn’t a win) and we’re locked in points.
The most insane part? We couldn’t have asked for two completely opposite riding styles. Webb is a model of consistency, always in the mix. Sexton, on the other hand, has already pulled off two massive comeback rides in just five traditional main events. Buckle up—this fight is just getting started.
The Invisible Race
Sexton’s (2) SNAFUs in the early moments of the Detroit main: jumping the gate, then running into the back of Grant Harlan coming out of turn, meant he was DEAD last.
But here’s what’s impressive: Sexton fought his way into third place by Lap 20, where he noticeably backed off the pace. From 22nd to 3rd, he lost just 1.8 seconds to the leaders (see bar graph). It’s an impressive feat, considering he had the 19 speed ‘bumps’ in the form of other riders.
Sexton vs. Webb: Detroit SX, Lap by Lap
Over those first 20 laps, Webb and Sexton were tied on head-to-head lap times at 10 apiece. Sexton continues to prove he has the speed to contend.
This was the race no one saw. Sexton’s race for survival. Webb’s race for his first win of 2025. And yet, despite their wildly different nights, the duo remain statistically inseparable. At this rate, expect this battle to stay neck and neck until the checkered flag drops in Salt Lake City.
Red Flag Mayhem
You can’t talk about the 250s without mentioning the chaos of the red flag with 7 seconds left on the clock. What followed? The craziest three-lap sprint in the sport’s history.
Anstie vs. Kitchen: Time Advantage Before and After Restart
The race was a tale of two halves. Before the restart, Anstie was in control—gaining 0.4 seconds per lap on Kitchen. Anstie outpaced Kitchen around the entire track except for the flat after the finish. But when the red flag waved, everything changed.
Now it was Kitchen’s turn to shine. Anstie’s lead evaporated, and Kitchen surged ahead, putting down nearly 0.7 seconds per lap over Anstie.
Anstie vs. Kitchen Before and After Restart
In the end, it was a mental battle as much as a physical one. Kitchen flipped the script and took the victory in those final three laps.
