Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Justin Cooper and Cooper Webb finished the season strong, earning a second- and third-place finish, respectively, at yesterday’s Monster Energy AMA Supercross finale at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. Webb rode a strong pace to finish on the podium despite not feeling 100% with a thumb injury and kept himself in the title fight to the finish, ending the season comfortably second in the 450SX Championship. As for his teammate Cooper, the runner-up finish was a career-best result in the premier class to close out his rookie season on a high note. Also, adding to the successful conclusion to the 2024 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season, Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, earned the Manufacturers’ Championship for the most points from the top-placed finisher in both 450 and 250 classes at each round. Words: Yamaha USA
Despite tricky conditions inside Rice-Eccles Stadium, Justin Cooper was in the zone and had a good qualifying result in third. From there, he continued his strong form and grabbed the holeshot in his heat race, ultimately finishing second. In the main event, the New Yorker got another great start and claimed the lead. Although he was shuffled to second on that opening lap by the defending 450SX Champion, the rookie rode a strong pace up front to hold on to the runner-up position for a debut podium in the premier class. Cooper’s career-best result in the class also advanced him to sixth in the championship standings.
Coming into the weekend less than 100% with a thumb injury, Webb had a solid start to the day, qualifying sixth and finishing third in his heat race. When it came time for the gate drop for the final main event of 2024, he got a great start in third and kept cool under pressure during the opening laps. Once again, the two-time 450SX Champion showed grit and determination, riding a strong pace to cross the line comfortably in third to join his teammate on the podium. The North Carolina rider’s perseverance in the latter part of the season kept him in the title fight all the way to the final race, and he earned a runner-up finish in the 450SX Championship with four wins and a total of nine podiums.
After a successful debut season with the team aboard the YZ450F in Monster Energy AMA Supercross, Webb now shifts his focus to returning to full fitness. The North Carolina rider will have surgery tomorrow to repair the torn UCL in his thumb and aims to return to racing in the latter half of the Pro Motocross season.
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing now sets its sights on the 2024 Pro Motocross title campaign. In two weeks’ time, the team heads to Southern California for the outdoor season opener and Round 18 of the SuperMotocross World Series at Fox Raceway at Pala on May 25.
Jeremy Coker – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 450 Team Manager
“What a way to finish the season. Cooper showed heart the whole time, and for Justin to finish on the podium – it was an awesome race. We’ll go back to the Farm and get back to work on getting ready for outdoors. And for Coop and Eli, they’ll start their process of getting back to 100% with surgery tomorrow. We look forward to having them back with us later this season.”
Justin Cooper – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #32
“Yeah, it was the last round, and I saved the best for last, I guess. I’ve really been working for this top-three result all season, and I’ve been close a few times, but I really put the puzzle pieces together tonight. Getting the holeshot definitely helped. I was able to get away from those guys, click off my own laps, keep the focus on myself, and didn’t have to ride defensively at all. I just kept moving forward and brought it home in second.”
Cooper Webb – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #2
“It was awesome to end the season on the podium despite the adversity we’ve been dealt these past few weeks. I had to dig deep for that one tonight and I’m pumped to share the podium with my teammate for his first 450SX podium.”
“It’s disappointing to be missing the beginning of Pro Motocross, but fixing this thumb injury is a must to be at my best for the remainder of the year. The goal is to come back for the final stretch of the outdoor season and come into the SMX playoffs swinging.”
Image: Yamaha USA
