Image: Octopi Media.

A clean, consistent seventh place in Houston for 450SX debutant Justin Cooper saw the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider satisfy his top 10 objective, delivering a commendable performance to commence his stint in the premier class of Supercross.

Cooper won the 2021 eastern regional title and as a result, is no longer eligible to compete in the 250SX class despite being injured in the pre-season last year and forced out of his championship defence altogether.

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing provided the 25-year-old with the opportunity to contest select 450SX races this year, and with NRG Stadium marking his first appearance of the season he qualified 14th quickest and secured his ticket to the main event courtesy of a seventh-place finish in heat one.

Making a promising step in the final, Cooper sliced his way forwards from outside of the top 10 to edge Ken Roczen (Progressive Insurance Ecstar Suzuki) for P7 in the closing stages, also finishing ahead of rookies Christian Craig (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) and Colt Nichols (Team Honda HRC) who have competed in the opening rounds.

“Yeah, it was good,” Cooper stated. “We got better and better throughout the day. There is a lot of learning going on right now, so it’s great to get the first one out of the way. The goal was to be around the top 10, and we achieved that. I finished seventh and even made a last-lap pass and felt good toward the end of the race. I just felt like I had a good flow and wasn’t pushing over my head, but I wasn’t riding too slow, either.

“Everything came a lot easier for me in the main event, even though the track so was messed up. For my first 450 race, I’m just glad to click my laps off like that and be that consistent, and work my way through the pack. I’m looking forward to Tampa next weekend.”

With select rounds on the cards for Cooper in this year’s Monster Energy Supercross Championship, he is set to make his next appearance this Saturday at Raymond James Stadium when the series resumes in Tampa.