Cooper Webb Returns to the Podium in Nashville
Momentum shifts back in Cooper Webb’s direction as the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider overcomes adversity to score a runner-up finish in Nashville / Apr 13, 2026 /
In addition to the stacked field in Monster Energy AMA Supercross’ premier class, it’s the elements that can test some of the best riders in the world. After the deep, rutted conditions at the previous round inside The Dome at America's Center in St.Louis, Nashville's Nissan Stadium delivered the opposite – a hard-packed, sun-baked surface that left little room for error on Saturday afternoon.
One thing never changes, however, and that is Cooper Webb’s drive to achieve the best results no matter what he’s faced with. That persistence and work ethic paid off in Tennessee, with the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider returning to the podium as he fought his way back from a bad start to finish second.
“Yeah, man, it was pretty gnarly,” said Webb about the conditions. “After last weekend, we had probably the softest track, and this one was like concrete. So yeah, it was tough – really sketchy. You wanted to push, but you really couldn’t. I’m happy with it, though. We made it through safe.”
It was a good day overall for the reigning 450SX Champion. After qualifying fourth, Webb got a strong start to the heat race in the top five and made his way to third on the second lap. He ran a good pace, setting the fastest lap on Lap 6 and ultimately crossing the line third. In the main event, Webb was 12th after the start. Despite the setback, he put his head down and made his way through to sixth, and then passed his teammate Justin Cooper on Lap 8. It was an eventful race in the tricky conditions, with multiple riders crashing.
“Qualifying went well, I was fourth and right in the mix,” said Webb. “Then I rode really well in the heat race, but ended up third. In the main event, I got a terrible start. I made some passes and got myself kind of into a podium position. I was catching (Justin) Hill and got around him, then Kenny (Roczen) gave us a little bit of a gift.
After making the pass on Justin Hill for second, Webb ran a strong pace in the closing laps to move closer to Hunter Lawrence. In the end, there was too much time lost in the beginning to advance further. After a frustrating few rounds off the podium, it was a nice momentum shift for the three-time 450SX Champion to score the runner-up finish.
“It was good to get second and get the ball rolling in a good way after these last few weekends,” said Webb. “I needed a podium for sure. We’re a little under the weather, so we will regroup and hopefully come back and get a win next week.”
It was an up-and-down day for his teammate Justin Cooper. The New Yorker showed strength from the start, grabbing the holeshot in his heat race and setting the pace up front. As the clock ran out, Hunter Lawrence closed the gap, but Cooper kept cool under pressure and threw down his fastest lap of the race on the penultimate lap, riding on to score his second consecutive 450SX Heat Race win. The tide turned with a chaotic start that set the tone of his main event, but thankfully Cooper kept it on two wheels. Back in seventh on the opening lap, he made his way through to fifth and battled for position, but dropped back to seventh after the halfway mark, where he would finish.
“It was a really tough day, honestly,” said Cooper. “All the way from the start of practice, this track, I felt, was the worst dirt of the year, and it didn't help that it was a day race, so the conditions were tough. I had a really good heat race. I was able to lead, start to finish. In the main event, I did everything but go down in the first turn. I hit a lot of people, and then just never found a flow. I continued to drop a couple of spots and ended up seventh. I’m just glad to get out of here on this one. It wasn't a great race for me, but we'll take the positives and bring it to next weekend.”
“Overall, it was a pretty decent day,” said Rich Simmons, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s 450 Team Manager. “Qualifying went well, and Justin had a great heat race – a good start and good lap times. Even Webb had good times in that heat race, but neither of the guys had a good start in the main event, and the track was horrendous. So yeah, happy to leave with a second-place finish. We will just keep working, take the positives from here, and move on to next weekend.”
The focus shifts to Round 14, which is the final Triple Crown event of the season and an all-new venue for everyone as Monster Energy AMA Supercross makes a long-awaited return to Cleveland, Ohio, on April 18. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb heads to Huntington Bank Field fourth in the 450SX standings and 28 points from the current points-leader, Hunter Lawrence, with teammate Justin Cooper maintaining fifth.