Cooper Webb Ends Pro Motocross Season on a High at Ironman National
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb finishes the 2026 Pro Motocross season in style with an overall podium, while teammate Haiden Deegan rebounds from a Moto 1 crash with a runner-up finish in Moto 2 / Sep 1, 2026 /
Every athlete hopes to close a chapter of their career on a high note. For Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb, it was a storybook ending to his Pro Motocross campaign as he celebrated a season-best third overall (3-8) with his team at Ironman Raceway. It was also a strong finish for his rookie teammate Haiden Deegan, who overcame adversity from a first-moto crash to return to the podium with a runner-up finish in Moto 2, ending the day ninth overall (16-2).
With one last shot for a win and all three classes crowning champions at the final round in Crawfordsville, Indiana, anticipation was high for an exciting conclusion to the outdoor season. It did not disappoint, with the drama starting early in the first 450MX moto. Deegan grabbed the lead, but crashed with Hunter Lawrence right on his heels, collecting the Australian in the process.
Amid the chaos, Webb, who got a great start to the moto in third, was there to take over the lead. After leading the first lap, the North Carolina rider began to drop back and was fifth before the halfway mark. But Webb, true to character, kept fighting and moved back into fourth on Lap 11. He continued to push all the way to the checkered flag, and when the rider ahead crashed in the final corner, Webb crossed the line third.
In Moto 2, Webb got a decent start and made his way into the top five early, but was shuffled to seventh four laps in. Under pressure, Webb held onto seventh until around the halfway mark and ultimately rode on to finish eighth, which secured third overall with the 3-8 score.
“Ironman, my last ever pro national, was a hell of a day,” said Webb. “Honestly, I felt good all day. I was able to get third in the first moto and third overall. It was a freaking crazy day, and just such a great weekend. My last ever race at a pro national is emotional. Thanks to the team and all the boys for getting me here. It's been a great season and a heck of a way to end it.”
Deegan qualified fourth, then got a great start to the first moto. Although he narrowly missed the holeshot, he quickly claimed the lead. Unfortunately, he crashed shortly after on the opening lap and found himself at the back of the field. After losing time early in the moto, he had a lot of ground to make up and climbed his way back to 16th.
In Moto 2, the 20-year-old bounced back with a strong finish. Deegan got another great start despite his gate pick and was fourth. He battled with Jett Lawrence and made the pass for third on that opening lap, then closed in on Hunter and moved into the runner-up spot on Lap 3. Deegan ran a strong pace, but the leader amassed a healthy gap up front, with Deegan riding it on home in second. The result secured ninth overall on the day and third in the 450MX standings.
“I think I set a record for holeshots and first-lap crashes,” Deegan joked in his post-race interview. “We’re definitely gonna get that fixed.”
“We had a decent qualifying with P4,” he added in his team debrief. “Then in Moto 1, I got a great start and crashed on the first lap and got 16th, so that wasn't great. Then in Moto 2, I got another decent start. We had a bad gate pick, but pulled a good start, rode a good race, and finished second. SMX is up in another week. It’s back-to-back, so ready to come out swinging.”
The focus now shifts to the SuperMotocross World Championship postseason, with Webb seeded third in the 450SMX Championship. Deegan’s strong premier-class debut, which included seven overall podiums and 12 moto podiums, has him heading into the postseason as the seventh seed.
“Overall it was a good day at Ironman,” said Rich Simmons, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s 450 Team Manager. “In qualifying, Haiden was a little bit off the pace compared to the last couple of weekends, but I thought it was the best qualifying for Webb, speed-wise. Then a good start for both guys. Unfortunately, Haiden went down again on the first lap, and Webb got into the lead, which was cool to see for his last national. Then he sent it on the last lap to get third in that moto. It was a bad race for Haiden, but a good regroup for him in that second moto to finish second. Then a big push for Webb to get the overall podium. So I’m happy for him, happy for the team. I think that's great for him to go out with a third overall.”
After a weekend break, the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team heads to Columbus, Ohio, for SMX Playoff #1 at the Historic Crew Stadium on September 12.