MARIETTA, Ga. – August 25, 2024 – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac returned to the podium at the 2024 Pro Motocross season finale at the Ironman Raceway in Crawfordsville, Indiana. In just his second race back from injury, the multi-time champion earned a 4-3 moto score in the punishing conditions to end the day third overall. Justin Cooper added another top-five overall finish during his 450MX rookie season with his 6-4 moto score.
Tomac had a strong start to the day, qualifying sixth. He then got a good start in the first moto and was fourth after the first lap, where he would finish. In Moto 2, the Colorado rider got another good start in the top five and made his way to third on the fourth lap. Tomac continued to ride a strong pace to earn his first moto podium of the outdoor season and first overall podium in two tries. Despite being sidelined for 10 rounds of the SuperMotocross World Championship, Tomac heads into the three-round post-season playoffs 11th in the combined points.
Cooper qualified fourth for his first Ironman National aboard the 450. He didn’t get the start he had been hoping for in the first moto and was eighth after the opening lap. Undeterred, the New Yorker kept pushing and made his way to sixth on Lap 3, where he would finish. In the second moto, he got a much better start and grabbed his sixth holeshot of the season. Although he was shuffled to fifth in the opening laps, he kept pushing and made his way to fourth to secure fifth overall. Cooper enjoyed a strong debut season in the 450MX Championship, finishing fourth in the points standings with two overall podiums and eight top-five overall finishes. His combined efforts in both Monster Energy AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross have him heading into the SuperMotocross World Championship Finals fifth in the 450SMX points.
Cooper Webb, who continues to prepare for the SMX Finals after spraining his thumb at the penultimate Pro Motocross round at the Budds Creek Motocross Park, heads into the SMX playoffs with the 10th seed.
Next up for the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team is Round 1 of the SuperMotocross World Championship Finals at the zMax Dragway in Concord, North Carolina, on September 7.
Jeremy Coker – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 450 Team Manager
“All in all, it was a good day and a great finish to the season. Eli rode phenomenally and got back on the podium in his second race back. Justin had a good ride and had a good first year outdoors on the 450. It’s definitely something to build on. Now it’s on to SMX. We’re going to go to work and look to come out swinging in the finals.”
Eli Tomac – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #3
“We got back on the podium. That was definitely the goal coming into here – to have two solid motos — and we were able to do that. I got good starts today and was in the mix with the lead group, which was also nice. Overall these were two important races to get under our belt and to get back into the groove. We learned a lot for next year. Now we’ll get ready for these SMX races.”
Justin Cooper – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #32
“The last National of the year at Ironman went okay. We were fifth overall. I don’t really gel with this track. I don't know what it is, but I’ve always struggled here a little bit. The track was definitely tough today, but all in all, it was a good first season outdoors on the 450 and definitely something to build on. We’re going into SMX now. We’ll get ready for that and get back on supercross.”
2024 Pro Motocross 450MX Ironman Results
2024 Pro Motocross 450MX Championship Standings
2024 SuperMotocross World Championship 450SMX Combined Points
