Thrasher Returns to the Top at Birmingham Supercross
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Nate Thrasher scores first win of the season at the Birmingham Supercross Triple Crown / Mar 24, 2025 /
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Nate Thrasher returned to the top step of the podium, securing his sixth career 250SX victory with a 3-3-2 score at the final Triple Crown event of the season at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama. Daxton Bennick overcame adversity to earn a top-five overall finish (8-7-4). Christian Craig made his supercross debut aboard the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing YZ450F, finishing 12th overall (11-15-13) in his first race back after having knee surgery last fall. Unfortunately, Max Anstie sustained a broken leg from a crash during qualifying that sidelined him from Round 5 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX East Championship.
Thrasher led the way for the team in qualifying with fourth in the combined times. He then had a good start in the first main event and managed to avoid getting caught up in the multi-rider pile-up on the opening lap, slotting into third, where he would finish. In the second main event, he was sixth after the opening lap but kept pushing and made the pass for third on the final lap to return to the podium. In the final race, Thrasher got a better start in the runner-up spot, riding a smart race in the position to finish second, securing the overall victory and his first win of the season. The Tennessee rider, who has shown grit and determination by pushing on despite feeling less than 100% with a broken finger, sits tied for fourth in the 250SX East standings and 21 points from the championship leader.
Bennick also had a strong start to the day in Birmingham, topping the timesheets in practice and qualifying fifth in the combined times. Unfortunately, it was a tough start to the night show as the young North Carolina rider got caught up in the multi-rider pile-up on the opening lap, went down, and rejoined in 14th. Bennick put his head down and steadily made his way forward through the field to cross the line eighth. With the less-than-ideal gate pick, he didn’t get the start he was hoping for in the second main. In 11th after the opening lap, he once again went to work and made his way to seventh. Bennick got a much better start to the final main event in sixth and made his way to fourth by Lap 2. He continued to push and made an attempt to pass for third but ultimately crossed the line fourth to earn a top-five overall finish.
It was a strong first race back for Craig, who returned to action and made his Supercross 450 debut with the team at Round 10 of the 450SX Championship. He qualified 14th in the combined times and had a solid start to the first race of the evening despite the less-than-ideal gate pick. In 11th after the first lap, Craig was shuffled to 13th but continued to battle for position and made his way back to 11th. In the second main, the Californian was 15th after the opening lap and worked his way through to 12th around the halfway point but ultimately crossed the line 15th. In the final race of the evening, Craig was 11th after the start. He did what he could to try and make his way forward but would cross the line 13th, ending the night 12th overall.
Anstie showed speed in practice, but unfortunately the 250SX East title contender had a crash during qualifying and broke his leg, sidelining him from the event. The British rider underwent evaluation on-site by the Alpinestars Mobile Medical Unit and will undergo further evaluation, with an update on his return to follow at a later date.
The Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team heads back west next weekend for Round 7 of the 250SX West Championship and Round 11 of Monster Energy AMA Supercross and the SuperMotocross World Championship at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, on March 29.
Jensen Hendler – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 250 Team Manager
“It was definitely an up-and-down day at the final Triple Crown of the season in Birmingham. Max had a big crash and broke his leg in qualifying, so that was a tough way to start the day. We’re all super bummed for him but know he will come back stronger. Both Nate and Dax had a great practice and qualifying, and were fast all day. In the first main, there was a big pile-up that unfortunately Dax got caught up in, but he fought back and was able to finish the night fifth overall. Nate rode great and got his first win of the season, which was awesome, and we’re looking to keep building on that. On the 450 side, Christian had a good start to the season, and we will continue to work on getting up to speed.”
Nate Thrasher – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #41 YZ250F
“It was a good day. I was finally able to ride like myself. I felt really good all off-season, we were putting in the laps and putting in the motos. At the season opener in Tampa, I felt really good all day, I just got unlucky and was cleaned out in the first lap but charged back to eighth from last, which was actually a good ride. Then I’ve just been battling injuries, and we were just trying to fight and stay in it. This week, I was finally able to practice after about a month and a half, so I felt like I was more like myself this weekend. I actually came out and qualified well. Before that, I was outside the top 10 and just trying to get through it. So this weekend, I was finally back to what I can do and proved it tonight. It feels great to get the win. I knew I had the speed this year and knew I could do it. It was just a matter of trying to get healthy and put it all together. We’ve got a lot of rounds to go, and we’re 21 points back, so we’re not out of it.”
Daxton Bennick – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #34 YZ250F
“It’s definitely a little frustrating. I was riding really good today. The results may not have been what I wanted – fifth overall – but I pulled it together in the last main and rode solid. I’m just happy to be healthy and to get another shot at it in two weeks.”
Chrisitan Craig – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #28 YZ450F
“It felt good to be back behind the gate! The results weren't the greatest, but I know what I'm capable of. We’re going to push hard to improve each weekend!”
2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX East Birmingham Results
2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX East Championship Standings
2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross 450SX Birmingham Results
2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross 450SX Championship Standings
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