Image: Octopi Media.

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Nate Thrasher is recovering from his second DNF in five starts to open the 2024 season after spectacularly crashing out of his heat race in Glendale, being concussed and suffering a bone contusion in the impact.

Thrasher exited Anaheim 1 as a result of falling while positioned sixth around the midway mark, but was fit to race-on in San Francisco the following weekend, where he was a lowly 18th in the rain-soaked conditions.

The 21-year-old managed to turn things around almost immediately by winning in San Diego and then backed that result up by finishing third at the Anaheim 2 Triple Crown, but this most recent non-finish has him ranked 11th in the standings.

“Glendale was going good until it wasn’t last night,” Thrasher said. “As you probably saw in my heat, I had a pretty gnarly crash and was transported to a local hospital. Thankfully, I will be okay and leaving with just a bone bruise and concussion. Going to get some rest, then back to work! Thanks to my team and everyone who supports me – see you in Seattle.”

In following the concussion protocol, Thrasher will now take advantage of a six-week break in the 250SX West schedule of Monster Energy Supercross 2024, with the western regional series now set to resume in Seattle on 23 March.