Image: Octopi Media.

Returning to Monster Energy Energy Supercross in 2023, Justin Hill achieved a welcome podium boost as he capped off the 450SX season with a P3 finish at the Salt Lake City finals.

Hill last competed in the series in 2020 with MotoConcepts, however, the final round in Utah that year would mark his final race before returning to the start line at the Anaheim opener in January this year.

The former 250SX West champion Hill slowly progressed throughout the season, notably finishing the final three rounds of the series inside the top five. Despite the field being depleted through injury, there were sure signs that Hill had clicked with his Team Tedder Monster Energy Mountain Motorsports KTM.

“To be honest, I didn’t really know where I stood after being out of the series for so long,” reflected Hill. “I didn’t know where I was going to be, I didn’t really think a podium was on the table, especially after the first few rounds where I was like, ‘okay, I’ve got a lot of work to do’. But, ultimately my goals were kind of reached, and then the goalposts just kind of kept moving.

“Then by today, I knew I wanted a podium… bad [laughs]. Last weekend too, I’ve been feeling good since New Jersey. That was really where my qualifying time was good, everything started to come around, and that’s when I knew it was time to get on that box. I always believe in myself, I think I’m as good as anybody, truly, and if I put in the work and keep it up, we’ll get it.”

Third place in the final round was enough to elevate younger Hill brother to eighth place in the 450SX standings with 212 points, edging Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo, who finished directly behind him in both the Salt Lake City main event and the series standings with 210 points.