Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb came out on top in a thrilling premier class battle at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, advancing him to a tie for the lead in the 450SX Championship. His teammate Justin Cooper finished fifth in the tricky conditions at Round 6 of Monster Energy AMA Supercross and the SuperMotocross World Championship. Words: Yamaha USA
Webb had a strong start to the day in the Motor City, qualifying third. He found himself fourth after the first lap of his heat race and would cross the line third. In the main event, he quickly made his way to third and then to the runner-up spot on the following lap. Webb kept the leader in his sights, making for an edge-of-your-seat cat-and-mouse game for most of the main event. As the clock wound down, the North Carolina rider made his move, but the competition countered. The duo continued to battle, with Webb claiming the lead with three laps remaining and riding on to score his first win of the season and 26th-career 450SX victory. Tied in points leaving Detroit, Webb’s YZ450F will be sporting the red plate next weekend in Arlington, Texas, where he has five race wins.
Cooper qualified fourth and then got a stellar start to grab the holeshot in his heat race. It was a multi-rider fight at the front, and he was shuffled to fourth on the opening lap as riders jockeyed for position. The New Yorker continued to push and advanced to third on the final lap, where he would finish. In the main event, he got a solid start in seventh, making his way to fifth around the halfway mark. Cooper continued to ride a strong pace in the tricky conditions and battle for position, ultimately crossing the line just shy of a fourth-place finish.
Next weekend, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing heads to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on February 22 for more Triple Crown action at Round 7 of Monster Energy AMA Supercross and the SuperMotocross World Championship.
Rich Simmons – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 450 Team Manager
“It was a good day in Detroit. The guys qualified well. They got some good starts but didn’t quite ride to their full potential in the heat race. We just learned from that, and in the main event, I think both of them rode really well. Webb made some really good passes early to put himself in a great position for the win. Justin was strong all the way to the end and finished four-tenths off of Malcolm (Stewart), who had just won the race last weekend. So overall, I think it was a really good race. We leave with the red plate with Webb tied in points. We’ll get back to work this week and get ready for Arlington.”
Cooper Webb – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #2
“The night was amazing! I was able to have a good day in Detroit. Qualifying went well, and the main event was awesome. I got a great start, made some quick passes and I was able to hang in there the whole time. I felt super comfortable, kind of knew where I was going to make the pass, and I was able to execute. It was a great night to get a win.”
Justin Cooper – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #32
“Overall, it was a good day for me. I qualified well in fourth and finished third in the heat race. I had a good start in the main as well and then got shuffled around in the first few turns. It was a good race, and I kept going strong. I was around fifth or sixth and in a battle the whole time with Malcolm and Jason (Anderson). Jason had a crash at the end, and I moved up to fifth. I had one moment with a lapper in the sand and lost a lot of time on Malcolm, and had to recatch him. I almost got to him there at the end. I got to his rear wheel again, but he was riding well, and I really couldn’t make a pass stick. So, fifth on the night and another top-five finish. We’ll move on to next weekend and try and get that podium.”
Image: Yamaha USA
