Read what a host of 450 and 250 stars had to say about their Salt Lake City.
Chase Sexton
“A little bit too late, obviously. Cooper had an awesome season. You can’t take anything away from him. He’s such a good competitor. I knew tonight was going to be a long shot. Nine points [to make up], especially going up against a guy like him, it’s nearly impossible. I did the best I could and rode really well at the end of the season; obviously missed that one race win that I needed. But you know what, we rode really well and can’t thank my team enough [and] the fans. And we’ll be back for outdoors and SMX. We’ve got two more championships to go after, so [we’ll] just try and build for next year, try and start off like this, and we’ll be in a good spot.”
Malcolm Stewart: “It was awesome. Of course, huge shout out to Cooper Webb. Winning the championship three times, that’s awesome. That’s a big accomplishment. And for me, Salt Lake City – I don’t know why – the fans just hype me up. I knew I had to give it everything I had. I wanted to get back up on the box. Last weekend stung a little bit, so I’m like, ‘You know what, I’m giving it everything I’ve got. This is the last race, round 17, so we’re going to give it everything we’ve got.’ And huge shout out to the Rockstar Husqvarna group, my mom and dad, and I know my brother’s watching in the [broadcast] booth… It’s been one heck of a season, and I’m so proud and thankful that I’ve been able to get up here another time, and like I said, [the] fans are awesome.”
Justin Cooper: “Yeah, of course they’ve got the championship battle going on, and me and Malcolm are having our own little points battle [for third overall in the championship]. So, a lot was going on out there. It’s been a great end to the season. Three podiums in a row, so it’s definitely special for me. I don’t take those for granted, and huge congrats to my teammate on the championship. It’s been an awesome two years with [Webb], learning the ropes from him and getting my 450 career started. I look up to him as a role model, and he’s an awesome teammate, so it’s always fun to – this year was cool; I actually battled with him some and not just be a distant guy in the pack. So, learning it, and it’s fun to battle with these guys up front. It’s tough, everyone’s riding really well. Malcolm was definitely finding his stride out there; he was riding awesome tonight, [I had] not much for him… Third in the championship is really special for me, and we’ll take it into outdoors now.” – Justin Cooper, when asked about the past two races competing while his teammate battled for a title.
Cooper Webb: “[This third championship] means everything. You don’t know how many nights I’ve woken up just wanting to get this again. And I never thought I’d be here again, so never give up on yourself. Never cut yourself short. I’m not maybe the best, but man, when you put your mind to something [then] you get it done. I’ve got to give it up to the Good Lord, my wife and my family. Man, they push me to be the best every day. And Yamaha for giving me another opportunity; I knew I wasn’t done after those two [championships]. It feels freakin’ awesome, man. I just couldn’t do it without everyone involved, the whole Star team… I wasn’t supposed to line up this January [due to injury] and I did, and here we are. It means the world. This may never happen again, so I’m going to enjoy the [heck] out of it. Thank you to all these fans, great team, teammates, everyone. It’s just a relief. Never give up on yourself, kids!”
250
Haiden Deegan: “That was wild. I just heard bikes revving behind me, [I was] like, ‘Oh my God, they’re going at it!” I’d seen Seth for a second, and then he was gone, and I was like, ‘Oh, no, they got into it.’ But congrats to Tom on the Championship, that’s super cool. And dude, the crowd was going wild. That was dope. Thank you to everyone, thank you to my fans for supporting me and my whole Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha team, love you guys.”
Julien Beaumer: “It was pretty wild having the three East title contenders going at it right next to me. I don’t know what to say; that was a wild one to be in the middle of, but I’m happy with my riding. My riding all day today was good, and we’re slowly getting better. I’m happy with where we’re at, and I’m ready to put this fight outdoors.”
Tom Vialle: “I had a great start. My first five or six laps were actually really good. I was feeling good, and I was like, ‘Okay, this is mine.’ And [then] I started to make a few mistakes, and Seth and RJ got me. They got a little gap, and my only chance was that… if something happened [to Hammaker and Hampshire], and that’s what happened tonight. I feel like that was all year, the whole Championship has been up and down, and I could capitalise tonight, and I’m really pumped.”
Seth Hammaker: “It was a great season. Came up a little short, that one’s a bummer when you get that close. That was a crazy race. Got off to a decent start and just chaos from there. Got around Tom; [I] had a little more pace than him at the beginning. And then Juju [Beaumer], [I] got round him, but then he kind of ran it in on me and, you know, teammate thing. Just wasn’t really expecting it; I shouldn’t have left the door open, I guess. Then RJ was coming in hot in that corner before the finish line and just took us both down. And yeah, [I] just tried to fight all the way to the end to get Tom. We got close, but second place is going to do this season. Huge shout out to everybody, my whole team. I really wanted to get this one done for them but, you know, I’ll be back… Gonna work hard for outdoors, keep this season of building going, and congrats to Tom.”
Image: AMA Supercross
