Washougal, WA (July 27, 2019) – The results weren’t terrible for GEICO Honda’s trio of riders at this year’s Washougal National, but riders at the elite level only come to the races in search of podiums and wins. Due to that, overall scores of fifth, sixth and 12th didn’t leave the riders completely satisfied at the end of the day.
Chase Sexton went 4-6 for fifth overall. He fought hard to make up ground but couldn’t go as far as he wanted. “Not an ideal day yesterday at Washougal, between bad starts and tip overs it just made the day super difficult,” said Sexton. “Not complaining and I’m the only person to blame for it! I just need to be better, plain and simple. Fifth overall but that’s not what I show up to do. Going to figure it out these next two weeks and come out swinging for the last three!”
RJ Hampshire finished right behind in sixth overall via 8-5 scores. “Starts weren’t great on a track that was hard to pass on,” said Hampshire. “Felt pretty good first moto till a crash. Second moto just battled with [Justin] Cooper pretty much the whole moto. Couldn’t find a way around. Starts were important and I didn’t have them.”
Although Christian Craig’s 11-13 scores for 12th weren’t amazing, it was his best performance since returning from an injury suffered at High Point.
“Although I’m not happy with how I rode, I’m happy to finally finish the day consistently,” said Craig. “I had terrible starts both motos so had to work my way up which isn’t fun. This year had been nothing short of terrible so to even finish the day with a 12th overall is a positive. Washougal was a good building block going into the weekend off. Lots of work to do but I’m looking forward to Unadilla.”
Hunter Lawrence, who won a moto and finished on the podium at the previous race in Minnesota, was a late scratch from the race after suffering an injury practicing during the week. His timetable for return is not yet known.
After a weekend off, the team resumes racing at Unadilla in New York on August 10th.
GEICO Honda Results
Washougal National
Washougal, Washington
5. Chase Sexton (4-6)
6. RJ Hampshire (8-5)
12. Christian Craig (11-13)