Tomac and Webb Make it a Nashville Double Podium
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac and Cooper Webb finish second and third to keep the championship battle close / Apr 21, 2024 /
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac and Cooper Webb graced the podium together for the fourth time this season, finishing second and third, respectively, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. Webb’s podium result kept him close in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross 450SX Championship, only five points down with three rounds remaining. Tomac finished the night with the race’s fastest lap time and advanced to third overall in the standings. Justin Cooper started the main event outside the top 15 and raced to an inspired sixth-place finish in the challenging conditions.
The outdoor stadium sustained rain on Friday, which led to a shortened schedule with no free practice. Despite the tricky conditions, Tomac found a good pace to qualify fifth. The Colorado rider had a good start in the heat race to start third and kept cool under pressure to finish third. Tomac learned from the heat race and got an impressive start in the main event, grabbing the holeshot and leading the opening half of the race. Just after the halfway mark, there were some downed riders on track, and he found himself in a less-than-ideal line choice to hold off the competition and was shuffled to second. From there, he tried to keep up the pace but ultimately settled for the runner-up spot, his fifth of the season.
As riders faced the challenge of an ever-changing track, Webb struggled to find a good flow. Despite those challenges, he was third overall in qualifying and finished second in his heat. The North Carolina rider started the main event with a good jump out of the gate, which helped him settle into fourth. He advanced to third after a rider went down, and as the race went on, Webb kept his laps consistent to collect another podium and earn valuable championship points in the title chase. The two-time 450SX Champion sits just five points out of the lead with three rounds remaining in the series.
Cooper had the same sentiment about the tricky track, but in his usual style, the New Yorker was fast in the qualifying sessions to finish second overall. The heat race proved to be a challenge for the class rookie, still scoring fourth to set himself up with a good gate pick for the main event. Cooper’s night would continue to be one of adversity after starting 17th in the main event. Not one to back down from a challenge, he made it all the way back up to sixth by the time the checkered flag flew.
Next weekend, the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team heads to Lincoln Financial Field for a day race in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Round 15 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the SuperMotocross World Series on April 27.
Jeremy Coker – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 450 Team Manager
“All in all, it was a really good night for the team. It was a gnarly track, for sure, with a lot of people crashing and getting hurt. We stuck it out and got through it. Eli was riding great, and Coop rode a smart race with the big picture in mind. Justin had a really good ride through the pack. He was behind (Justin) Barcia a little too long, otherwise I think he could have gotten (Jason) Anderson, but he rode a really good race. So, all in all, it was a good points night for the team, and we’re looking to come out swinging next weekend in Philly.”
Cooper Webb – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #2
“Nashville was an up and down day and night. Qualifying went pretty well. I was second in the heat. Then in the main event, I started third and ended up third, so it seemed like a third-place kind of day. The track was super tough, and I didn’t really seem to gel with it, but we made the most of it, and we’re on the podium again. That’s what needs to happen at this point in the year, so we’ll go back to work this week and come out swinging in Philly.”
Eli Tomac – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #3
“I gave it my all, that’s for sure. I was really good at the beginning of the race after an awesome start. I was able to come into the turn from the outside, which gave me a great angle for the first turn. I led some laps and had a few good lines. I wish I could have fought Jett a little bit harder when he passed me, but unfortunately, I got a little caught up from some downed riders. Overall, I’m happy with the second, but I just need to be a little bit better to get the win.”
Justin Cooper – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #32
“Overall it was a good day. The track conditions were tough all day. It was dry and slick, so it made for a tough race track that could catch you off-guard. I would have liked to have a little less mistakes in the heat race, and the start just wasn’t there in the main event, so I had to get to work to get that sixth.”
2024 Monster Energy AMA Supercross 450SX Nashville Results
2024 Monster Energy AMA Supercross 450SX Championship Standings
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