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JUSTIN COOPER
250 SX / 9TH
IMAGE / KILPATRICK WORDS / LANNAN DESIGN / MOTOPLAYGROUND
>> Justin Cooper is yet another rookie looking to carry that amateur success over to
the pro ranks of professional racing. Just one year ago, young Cooper finished up his impressive amateur career by decorating himself with the Nicky Hayden AMA Horizon Award at the prestigious amateur race at Loretta Lynn’s. This paved the way for him to land a spot on the Star Racing Yamaha team for the 2018 Monster Energy AMA Su- percross Series. Justin turned pro for the last few rounds of the outdoor series in 2017 where he turned many heads. The young rookie was now ready to boast onto the scene as the opening day began in Anaheim. His fiery style was proving to be fast indoors as well and he qualified a strong, ninth position. Justin lined up for the second 250SX Heat and was eager to get the ball rolling in the packed house of Angel Stadium. As the gate dropped, Justin did not exactly launch off the line like he wanted but he was determined to correct it. He was just inside the top ten for about a half a lap before making quick work of the riders in front of him. He made clean passes and was just outside the top five by the beginning of the next lap. Cooper was pushing hard to catch the riders in front of him but sadly, it got the best of him. He placed his front tire just a little too high in one of the berms and was forced to get up close and personal with the Anaheim soil. He got back up quickly but was only able to climb back to tenth before the checkered flag flew. He was now forced to line up for the Last Chance Qualifier. When the gate dropped for this one, he got off to a decent start and was focused on keeping his Yamaha on two wheels for the first few sections. He then begin to make some moves and was sitting in third place by the beginning of the second lap. Justin was then side by side with Har- rison as they mirrored each other through one of the rhythm sections. Justin eventually made the pass and would go to work on the leader, Auberson. He pushed hard and made the pass for the lead in the very next corner and the rest was history. He would win his first LCQ in Air Wheelie fashion. Next was the race that counts, and Justin was ready to give it his all. He lined up to the very inside and got a good jump when the gate fell. Unfortunately, he was pinched off very quickly and began dodging tuff blocks as he had no choice but to go outside the track boundary. He rounded the first corner close to last place, and he knew he had his work cut out for him. He began to put some very im- pressive moves together and used the fifteen minute long race to his advantage. Justin would claw his way up to a very commendable ninth place finish in his rookie debut.
68 GRITMOTO • JANUARY 8, 2018