Justin Cooper has been steadily climbing the ranks in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series, and his persistence paid off in Indianapolis. After five rounds of consistent performances, Cooper matched his career-best finish by securing second place in the 450SX main event. Starting in fourth, he trailed Justin Barcia for much of the race before making a decisive pass. Cooper then capitalized on a mistake by Chase Sexton to claim the runner-up spot.
In the post-race press conference, Cooper reflected on his journey to the podium, emphasizing that this breakthrough felt long overdue.
A Long Time Coming
“I feel like it’s been right there the whole time,” Cooper said. “Last week in Daytona, I had great speed and almost made the podium after starting around tenth. Everything has been moving in the right direction—my speed, fitness, and confidence are all there. Tonight, I started in the top five despite a tough heat race where I had a bad gate pick for the main event. I chose the inside line and got a decent start. From there, I stalked Justin [Barcia] for a while. I noticed he was struggling in the whoops, so I took advantage when he missed a rhythm before that section. Once I passed him, I focused on maintaining my pace. Chase [Sexton] went down in the sand, and I just stayed consistent, hitting my lines and avoiding mistakes. On a track like this, that’s what mattered most.”
Thriving in the East
Cooper, a New York native, seems to excel when the Supercross series heads east. The softer dirt and breaking-down whoops play to his strengths, particularly his ability to jump through technical sections.
“The whoops weren’t really jumpable tonight—it was more about balance,” Cooper explained. “They were rutted, so keeping the bike straight was key. I focused on limiting mistakes and sticking to the big lines. I felt like I was gaining time on the riders ahead of me by staying consistent and setting up my passes carefully. The track was tricky, and with so many laps, I had to stay locked in until the end. It got pretty gnarly out there.”
Progression and Momentum
Cooper’s performance in Indianapolis is a testament to his growth in only his second full season of 450 Supercross. Despite being underrated, his progress has been impressive. He currently sits fourth in the championship standings.
“Compared to last year, I’ve made progress across the board,” Cooper said. “I’ve been closer to the podium more frequently this season. Last year, I only fought for a podium spot in the final round, but this year, I’ve been in the mix a lot more. I felt like I should’ve had a podium by now, but better late than never. Riding with these guys in my second year has given me more experience. Justin [Barcia] is a tough competitor—he doesn’t let you pass without a fight. I made sure to set up my pass carefully, and once I got by him, I focused forward. The track was deteriorating quickly, so staying focused was crucial.”
A Rising Contender
With finishes of 4-5-4-4-2 in the last five rounds, Cooper has proven he’s a legitimate podium contender. His consistency and ability to perform under pressure are paying off. As the season progresses, the question remains: Can Cooper maintain this momentum and add more podium finishes to his resume?
One thing is certain—Justin Cooper is no longer flying under the radar. His determination, skill, and adaptability make him a rider to watch as the Supercross season unfolds.
