Thrasher Returns to the Podium with Runner-Up Finish in Pittsburgh
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Nate Thrasher advances position in 250SX East Championship with a second-place finish at Pittsburgh Supercross / Apr 28, 2025 /
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Nate Thrasher put in a good fight to score a runner-up finish as the series made its long-awaited return to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for Round 9 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX East Championship at Acrisure Stadium. Christian Craig came back from a difficult start in the 450SX Main Event to finish 14th.
The final round of the East Coast swing brought more rain, which resulted in an abbreviated schedule on race day with just two qualifying sessions at the new venue. Thrasher qualified sixth and was sixth after the start of his heat race. The Tennessee rider quickly went to work and made his way to fourth on the opening lap and then to third on Lap 3. In the final laps, he closed the gap to second but ran out of time and finished third. In the main event, Thrasher grabbed the holeshot and led for most of the race. With around four laps remaining, he was passed by the reigning champion. He countered back, but ultimately was shuffled to the runner-up spot, where he would finish. Thrasher’s second podium finish of the season advanced him to fourth in the 250SX East Championship as the Eastern Regional 250 class gets a weekend break before the final East-West Showdown at the series finale in Salt Lake City, Utah.
After qualifying 12th in the 450 class, Craig got a great start to his heat race in fourth, slotting in behind fellow Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider Cooper Webb. The Californian continued to battle but ultimately crossed the line seventh. In the main event, he did not get off the gate as he had hoped and found himself 16th on the opening lap. Craig continued to push in the tricky conditions and advanced to 13th with six laps to go, but would cross the line 14th.
Next weekend, the Western Regional 250 class returns to action for the penultimate round of Monster Energy AMA Supercross and the 16th round of the SuperMotocross World Championship at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on May 3.
Jensen Hendler – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 250 Team Manager
“All in all, it was a good night in Pittsburgh. Nate continued to make progress throughout the day, and had a good heat race and got a great start to the main event. He grabbed the holeshot, led most of the race, and finished second. He really wanted that win, but there were a lot of positives to take away, and we’ll get back to work over the break and come out swinging in Salt Lake. Christian got a great start in his heat race. He just unfortunately didn’t repeat it in the main, but we’ll get back to work and keep chipping away at it. Next weekend we’re back to the West Coast and are looking to finish these last two rounds strong and bring home the championship.”
Nate Thrasher – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #41 YZ250F
“It was a good night overall. I’m definitely a little bummed, but we gave it everything we had and can’t be mad about it. A couple of mistakes cost us tonight. So I’ve just got to clean that up and be a little bit better. Overall, my riding’s pretty good. We have a little bit left to work on, but we’re in a better spot than we were a couple of weeks ago, so I’m happy with that. We’ll go back to work and try to be better for Salt Lake.”
Christian Craig – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #28 YZ450F
“It was fun racing in Pittsburgh. I felt pretty good all day, but a bad start in the main made it hard for me to do much. I know I'm a lot better than my results. We’re going to keep working to finish the last two rounds on a high note.”
2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX Pittsburgh Results
2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX East Championship Standings
2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross 450SX Pittsburgh Results
2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross 450SX Championship Standings
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