Combined SMX points lead ‘definitely motivating’ Cooper

Premier class contender has posted a strong 2025 season to date.

Image: Octopi Media.

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Justin Cooper sits atop the SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) points tally after posting a consistently fast season of racing, indicating that it’s ‘definitely motivating’ to lead the premier class standings.

Cooper has been solid this season, having made all 17 Monster Energy Supercross races, while also competing in the eight Pro Motocross events contested so far. Six podiums across the board highlight his speed, with a P2 finish at the Indianapolis Supercross his season-high result.

It hasn’t all been smooth sailing, however, with the 27-year-old experiencing a violent fall during qualifying at the Spring Creek National, charging on to a hard-fought 10th-place finish. Taking the week off before Washougal, Cooper would again grit his teeth for a P6 overall result leading into the two-week break.

“I took the week off, I was definitely sore from Millville,” commented Cooper. “I kind of landed on my left side and head, so the trauma from slamming the ground at that speed is what has got me right now, but I taped up the shoulder and just tried to reset [at Washougal], and go into it like a normal day. I would say it was a solid day considering what we were dealt, but I’m looking for more after the break.”

Keeping Cooper on the line has been his position in the SMX standings, as the number 32 overtook absent teammate and 450SX Supercross champion Cooper Webb after the seventh round in Millville at the top of the points table with three regular season races remaining.

“It’s special,” Cooper continued. “It’s definitely motivating me, and probably why I am racing on. We have three more rounds before SMX starts up, and I’m looking to get back to form and finish this series out strong – we still have a shot at P3 in the outdoor championship, so we’ll rest up and come out strong for Ironman.”

Cooper now holds a 45-point advantage over Webb in SMX, while Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Chase Sexton is third and a further 31 markers down. In addition, he currently sits P4 in the Pro Motocross standings, eight points from teammate Eli Tomac in third place.

Three rounds remain in the American outdoor campaign for 2025, before the high-profile SMX post-season officially commences at zMAX Dragway in Concord, North Carolina, from September 7.