Image: Octopi Media

Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha’s Justin Cooper took the win in a wild 250SX West main event at Atlanta 2, stretching his points lead in the championship as Hunter Lawrence grabbed second ahead of a gritty ride from Cameron McAdoo (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki).

With the battle for the championship coming down to the wire, the leading duo grabbed heat race wins, setting up a showdown in the main event.

Off the line, Cooper found his way to the lead before the end of the first lap, with McAdoo further down the order in sixth place. After a few laps, McAdoo had a massive crash bringing out the red flag.

During the red-flag delay, McAdoo pleaded his case to be evaluated by the Alpinestars medical crew to clear him to race, the medics eventually sending him back to the starting line.

As the gate dropped on the restart, it was McAdoo with a miraculous run first to the corner, with Nate Thrasher (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha) ending up with the lead. Cooper made quick work of the duo though, getting back to the lead and taking off for the win.

Hunter Lawrence (Team Honda HRC) made a charge from deep in the top 10 to take second place, passing McAdoo who ran second until the latter stages of the race.

McAdoo’s heroic ride ended with a podium, taking third place and keeping himself in the title hunt. The podium didn’t come easy for him though, Thrasher making a late charge nearly passing him in the final section, the rookie taking fourth on the night.

Garrett Marchbanks (Club MX Yamaha) took fifth place on the night with Muc-Off Honda’s Mitchell Harrison finishing in sixth place. FXR Chaparrel Honda’s Coty Schock continued his great form by taking seventh on the night.

Pierce Brown recovered well from a crash filled afternoon of qualifying to take eighth place, followed up by rookie Seth Hammaker (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) in seventh.

Rounding out the top 10 was Jalek Swoll (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) who worked his way into the top 10 late in the race. A tough night for Ryan Sipes ended with a trip to the Alpinestars medical unit following an LCQ crash that ended his night.

The series returns for the last of three races at Atlanta Motor Speedway this Saturday, with McAdoo now nine points back from Cooper in the championship standings.

Detailed results