Cold Spring Harbor sits on the North Shore of Long Island — a small village of about 10,000 people, two hours from Manhattan by train, surrounded by the kind of dense northeastern forest that couldn't be further from California's sandy training tracks. It is not a traditional birthplace for supercross champions. Justin Cooper was born there anyway, and has spent his career proving that geography is not destiny.
His 250SX West championship in 2021 came in his third professional season and established him as one of the class's elite performers. Ten or more race wins across multiple seasons in the 250 category confirmed the talent was real. Now, in 2026, racing his first full season in the 450SX premier class with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing, Cooper is alongside two of the sport's most decorated champions — Cooper Webb and Haiden Deegan — learning what it takes to compete at the highest level, week by week.
"Racing in the 450 class with Cooper and Haiden — I couldn't ask for better teammates to learn from. This is where I want to be. This is where I'm going to figure it out."
— Justin Cooper · Monster Energy Yamaha Star RacingThe Star Yamaha System
Bobby Reagan's Star Racing program is one of the most sophisticated rider development operations in the sport. The infrastructure — mechanics, data engineers, media teams, video analysis, physical training support — is factory-level in every dimension. Joining the program for a debut 450 season gives Cooper tools that no privateer or secondary team can match. The YZ450F is an updated machine for 2026, and the team's institutional knowledge of how to develop riders and motorcycles simultaneously is unmatched in the paddock.
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing
Founded in 1999 by Bobby Reagan, Star Racing built its reputation as one of the sport's top privateer teams before Yamaha Factory support elevated it to full factory status in 2005. In the two decades since, it has produced 19 national support-class titles and multiple 450SX champions. In 2026, the roster of Webb, Cooper, and Deegan represents one of the sport's most star-studded factory lineups.
Yamaha Motor Sports →✦ Justin Cooper Career Highlights
- 250SX West Champion 2021
- 10+ career 250SX race wins
- Born: Cold Spring Harbor, New York
- 2026: Premier-class debut — full 450SX season
- Star Yamaha teammates: Cooper Webb and Haiden Deegan
- 90% top-10 rate in 2024 SMX 450 campaign
- YZ450F — updated 2026 championship machine
- Bobby Reagan's Star Racing program — factory support
- Building championship capability round by round
- Long Island, New York — proves geography isn't destiny