Cooper Returns to 450MX Podium at Spring Creek
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Justin Cooper finished third overall with a 5-3 moto score at the Spring Creek National / Jul 14, 2024 /
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Justin Cooper returned to the podium with a third overall finish (5-3) at the Spring Creek MX Park in Millville, Minnesota. Sitting third in the Pro Motocross 450MX Championship after seven rounds, the New Yorker continues to build on his strong debut season, earning his fifth moto podium and second overall podium of the season in the tricky conditions.
Cooper had a strong qualifying in third, but did not get the start he was hoping for in the first moto and found himself seventh after the first lap. He did what he could to make his way forward but lost too much time and finished fifth. The team made adjustments for the second moto, and Cooper got a flying start to take his fourth holeshot of the season. He threw down some fast laps and had a gap up front, but the competition closed in and it turned into a three-rider battle. Around the halfway mark, the rookie was passed before the finish line. He tried to counter but was shuffled to the runner-up spot and then was passed in the sand rollers.
Cooper had the competition on his heels but kept cool under pressure and rode away to reel in the rider in the runner-up spot. As the clock wound down, he made an error and went off track, losing some time. It started raining in the final laps, but Cooper rode strong in the tricky conditions to finish third and secure third overall, maintaining third in the championship standings.
The Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team heads west next weekend for the Washougal National, Round 8 of Pro Motocross, and Round 25 of the SuperMotocross World Series on July 20 at the Washougal MX Park in Washougal, Washington.
Jeremy Coker – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 450 Team Manager
“End of the day, it was awesome. We made a big change in between motos to try to help Justin off the gate and on the track, and it paid off. It was a little bit of a gamble on our end, but he trusted us and it worked out. We have got to keep pushing, and I think we have good motivation for the rest of the season.”
Justin Cooper – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #32
“It was a good day. Any weekend we get a podium, it’s special. It’s the first couple for me in the 450 class, so we’ll take every one that we can get. We made some changes to the bike in the second moto. I got the holeshot and led for around 15 minutes. I kind of ran out of steam there and had to regroup and start charging again and then I got close to Hunter. So yeah, a podium is a good day, kind of where we think we need to be every race. We’ll try to take it to next weekend.”
2024 Pro Motocross 450MX Spring Creek Results
2024 Pro Motocross 450MX Championship Standings
About Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.
Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars [sold, serviced, and distributed by Yamaha Golf-Car Company], Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.
YMUS has a corporate office in California, three corporate offices in Georgia, as well as facilities in Wisconsin, Alabama, and Florida. YMUS subsidiaries Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America (YMMC), based in Georgia, and Yamaha Jet Boat Manufacturing U.S.A. (YJBM) based in Tennessee, each assemble and manufacture selected Yamaha brand products. YMUS owns Skeeter Boats [Texas] with its division G3 Boats [Missouri]. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company, Inc. (YMSC) with subsidiary Siren Marine [Rhode Island] and divisions Bennett Marine [Florida], Yamaha Marine Rotational Molders [Wisconsin] and Yamaha Precision Propeller Inc. [Indiana].
Yamaha Motor Finance Corporation, USA, dba Yamaha Financial Services, is an affiliate of Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA offering financing solutions to support Yamaha Dealers and loyal Yamaha Customers nationwide.
