Justin Cooper Bio
Justin Cooper (born August 31, 1997) is an American professional motorcycle racer who competes in AMA Supercross and Motocross. He is the 2021 AMA Supercross 250cc West champion and was a member of the winning USA team at the 2022 Motocross des Nations. Cooper rides for Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing, one of the most established teams in American off-road motorcycle racing.
Early Life and Background
Justin Cooper was born on August 31, 1997, and grew up in Cold Spring Harbor, New York. The seasonal climate on Long Island limited year-round outdoor riding, a challenge that shaped his early development. Unlike many of his future rivals, he did not relocate to a warmer region for winter training and instead adapted his schedule around the off-season.
After finishing high school, Cooper attended college briefly before committing fully to a professional racing career. He balanced his education with amateur competition, a path that gave him a more measured entry into the sport than riders who turned professional immediately after graduating from the amateur ranks.
Path to NASCAR
Cooper’s progression followed the traditional American motocross pipeline. He built his reputation at the amateur nationals, where he won four AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Tennessee. These annual events serve as the most important showcase for up-and-coming talent in the United States.
His 2017 amateur titles in the Open Pro Sport and 250 A classes drew attention from professional teams. That success led to his professional debut with CycleTrader.com/Rock River Yamaha at the final rounds of the 2017 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship. The late-season starts gave him a chance to gain national-level experience before the following full season.
Justin Cooper Career
Early Career (2017-2020)
Cooper turned professional in 2017 and spent his first full seasons developing with CycleTrader.com/Rock River Yamaha. He worked to translate his amateur speed into consistent finishes in the 250cc ranks of both Monster Energy AMA Supercross and the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship.
During this period he earned his first Supercross podiums and Motocross overall results, building the race craft that would later support a championship run. His progress through these developmental years established him as one of the top 250cc prospects in the country.
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing (2021-2024)
Cooper moved to Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing and, in 2021, won the 250SX West Region championship in the Monster Energy Supercross series. That title marked his arrival as a leading rider in the premier American indoor series and confirmed his potential at the highest level of the sport.
The same season he competed in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship 250 class, finishing second overall behind Jett Lawrence. He followed the title with continued strong results across Supercross and Motocross, and was part of the United States team that won the 2022 Motocross des Nations, one of the most prestigious events in international motocross.
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 450 Era (2025-Present)
In the 2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season, Cooper moved into the premier 450SX class and finished third overall in the standings. He accumulated 281 points across the 17-round series without recording a main event win, a sign of consistent front-running speed in his first full premier-class campaign.
He produced multiple top-five results, including a second-place finish in Indianapolis and a third-place run in the final round in Salt Lake City. These results highlighted his smooth transition to the larger, more powerful machinery and positioned him as a contender heading into the outdoor season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Cooper is known for smooth, consistent riding and a measured approach to race craft. He excels on technical tracks where rhythm and balance matter more than raw aggression, and he works closely with the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing crew to refine bike setup each week. His Supercross background gives him strong whoops and rhythm-section skills, while his outdoor results show race-long pace in varied conditions.
Notable Races and Milestones
His signature achievements include the 2021 AMA Supercross 250cc West Region title, a runner-up finish in the 2021 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross 250 class, and selection to the winning USA squad at the 2022 Motocross des Nations. His 2025 podiums in Indianapolis and Salt Lake City marked his first premier-class highlights.
Justin Cooper Career Wins
Justin Cooper’s most significant career win is the 2021 AMA Supercross 250cc West Region championship, secured while riding for Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing. Beyond that title, his career has been built on consistent podium finishes in both Supercross and Pro Motocross rather than a long list of main-event victories.
AMA Supercross and Motocross Highlights
Cooper captured the 250SX West Region title in 2021, his breakthrough season at Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing. He added multiple 250cc Supercross podiums and 250 Motocross overall podiums in the seasons that followed. In 2025, he stepped up to the 450SX class and posted his first premier-class podiums, including a runner-up finish in Indianapolis and a third-place result in Salt Lake City.
Other Wins and Performances
Cooper won four AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch before turning professional, taking the 2017 titles in the Open Pro Sport and 250 A classes. He was also a key member of the United States team that won the 2022 Motocross des Nations.
Justin Cooper Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Cooper grew up in Cold Spring Harbor, New York, where he developed his early riding skills in a region not traditionally known for year-round motocross training. Limited public information is available about his parents or siblings.
Personal Life
Public details about Cooper’s personal life, including marital status and family, are limited. He has focused much of his adult life on his racing career, balancing a brief college stint with amateur and then professional competition.
2025 Season Performance
Cooper’s 2025 season is defined by his move into the 450SX class with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing. He finished third in the 17-round Monster Energy AMA Supercross standings with 281 points, recording no main event wins but maintaining steady top-five pace throughout the year.
Key results included a second-place finish in Indianapolis and a third-place run in the season finale in Salt Lake City, both of which signaled his growing comfort on the larger machine. His consistent scoring established him as a regular podium threat in his first premier-class Supercross campaign.
Looking ahead, Cooper’s 2025 Supercross effort sets the stage for his outdoor debut in the premier class of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. With the support of a top Yamaha program and proven Supercross speed, he is positioned to be a factor in the 450 title fight in the seasons to come.
