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MOTOCROSS LUCAS OIL AMA PRO MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 9 / OCTOBER 10, 2020 FOX RACEWAY / PAL A, CALIFORNIA P84 Illinois' Sexton, who was wearing a slick set of Alpinestars gear, an homage to his favorite athlete and fellow number-23, Chicago Bulls' icon Michael Jordan. He rode off with his first-ever moto win, as well as his first outdoor national win in either class. "It's unreal," said Sexton after leading Craig across the finish line. "It feels a little bit like a dream. Since I was little, I always wanted to be a 450cc- race winner and a 450cc cham- pion. So, hopefully it's the first of many. That was a really good race. Christian and I were go- ing pretty good and Adam was up front. He ended up making a mistake, so it gave me the lead, and from there on I just rode it in. The team and I put so much work into it this year and I saved the best for last. So, this is going to be good going into the offseason. It was definitely the Michael Jordan gear that CIANCIARULO LOOKS BACK Never for a loss of words, Adam Cianciarulo reflected on the 2020 season. " What a year!" he said. "My rookie year of racing was one I will never forget, not just because of the global pandemic and unique racing schedule, but more impor- tantly, it has shown me that I belong in this class. I love this sport, and as a kid, dreamed of one day being up here competing against the best in the world. If you told me I'd be fighting for the championship in my rookie season and finishing sec- ond overall a couple of years ago, I would not have believed you. This sport has a way of kicking you when you're down, but it's about how you get back up and the people you surround yourself with. I truly believe that I have the best support system around me and a team and company in Kawasaki that has nev- er stopped believing in me. I can't thank them enough for that. My Monster Energy Kawasaki KX450 was a rocket ship all season long and always put me at the front of the pack each moto to fight for the championship. I am already fired up and ready to get this sophomore season of racing started!" AWARD WINNERS An impromptu awards celebration took place on the podium after the final 450 moto, with the top 10 riders in each class receiving their awards, as well as some specialty awards. Star Racing Yamaha was named Team of the Year, Rockstar Husqvarna's "Scuba" Steve Westfall was named Team Manager of the Year and American Honda earned the Manufacturer of the Year based on combined 250/450 points. Jett Law- rence earned what's now known as the Marty Smith Rookie of the Year honors, his teammate Jeremy Martin was named Comeback Rider of the Year, and series veteran Paul DeLau- Briefly... Somehow, Honda fill-in rider Christian Craig (62) didn't get on the podium with a solid 4-2. Craig has been showing his true colors (going fast) as of late. There is talk he'll be on blue, on a 250, next year. PHOTO: BROWNDOG WILSON