The battle for a top-ten position in the 450cc class, especially in the year of 2024, was one prestige. No path into single digits would come easy, and as we’d seen in the races thus far, an array of variables could be presented — leaving the winner of one particular round, battling for a next mid-pack finish the following weekend! Nevertheless, the landscape for racing would be dry as the series returned to Anaheim Two. And that of Yamaha’s Justin Cooper was rather excited to showcase his skills on this hard-packed surface. Though as the Dirt Wurx crew manicured and applied moisture throughout the time(d) trials of Saturday, it was evident that the immense technicality of this track was rather challenging. It kept all in the 450cc field on their toes, but Cooper splendidly excelled; and as he eventually transferred into main event one of the night show (while earning the overall pole position), there was little time to waste following the collapsing of the steel brackets. Diving into turn number two, he quickly located a series of pathways around the edges of the course that had yet to be tapped into. Therefore on laps two and three (as traffic became a bit clearer) he was able to leap from plateau to plateau with effortlessness, and prepare for the swaying bend that would rattle many in the field. All the while, the gap between he and Jorge Prado (after passing the Spanish rider) would stay relevant and of a significant distance; where at anytime, the opponent aboard the GasGas machine could retaliate and strike...however his fortitude from the eight minute mark (and onward) was a catalyst of sorts that kept him storming to the finish line. Eventually categorized in tenth, there wasn’t much down time before the second moto began. As the green flag waved, the process of dispersing amongst the pack (again) was at the forefront of all at the head of the field. Chasing none other than teammate Cooper Webb (along with Jason Anderson) who lead, the margin of error when propelling through these established trenches was becoming smaller and smaller. Leaping onto the start straightaway on laps six and seven, he could hear the engine of Jett Lawrence not too far behind him (especially upon descending into the forthcoming left), but regardless of what was occurring in his rearview, he persevered. The staying power and ability to endure was magnificent, and despite going back and forth with his former 250cc competitor (and being overtaken) he was eventually categorized in a tremendous standing of fifth behind that of Aaron Plessinger. It was then time to solidify a significant overall, and though a sea of yellow flags were set to be displayed, Cooper managed to accelerate amongst the carnage and chaos. Sweeping through the corner that preceded the final double, every lap, he could monitor as to how far he was distancing himself from Honda’s Dylan Ferrandis — while saying within a reasonably close distance to his teammate, Cooper Webb. Just like days at the test track, the New York native would follow the former champion around — carving his way to the checkered flag, with another solid finish (i.e. sixth) for eighth overall on the evening.