JUSTIN COOPER

Justin’s Cooper true talent, and speed, on the 450cc motorcycle was displayed in Lakewood on Saturday. The rider out of New York was remarkable in practice and qualified with a third place standing prior to embarking on the opening moto of the afternoon. He would rocket from the starting grate while generating as much traction on the rear tire as possible, claiming the hole-shot and leading the field around with poise, to begin the sixteen-lap bout. As minutes would pass, the lead of Cooper’s would extend...with the New York native appearing to be in total control of the pack who trailed, as he rolled through the corners with promising technique. His line choice was beyond spectacular, and his momentum in-and-out of corners, was top notch — leading to the gap, over the Lawrence duo, being sustained through the eleventh lap. However, at that point in time, Hunter Lawrence had omitted the margin that was once quite the distance...and made the pass on Cooper through the infield roller section, as Justin drifted to the outside in the corner thereafter. Now second, Jett was the next opponent to then quickly overtake him...passing him via an inside pathway, in the corner before the finish line, just moments later. Now third, he would reside here through the checkered flag, after proving that his skillset in the premier division, was more than adequate. Taking the hole-shot (again) in the second round, Cooper appeared to be mimicking his antics of the 250cc days! He was out front and leading, and making great time...but Chase Sexton would rival him and nearly make multiple passes stick! The critical juncture would occur however, just before ten minute mark...where Sexton would leap to the inside of the Yamaha rider (over the turning roller before the finish line) and nearly clip the New York native! With Sexton then crashing to the ground, it was time for Cooper to regain command of the field. He would do so, looking stellar, and appearing to be in total control of the pack until around three minutes remained. It was Jett Lawrence knocking at the door...and the athlete with the number one aboard his machine wasn’t going to let this moto win slip away. The opportunity to take the lead (on behalf of Jett) was then presented in the rhythm section/rollers after the finish line with just over two minutes left on the clock...where a Cooper’s miscalculation and drifting wide, (into the left-handed bend that followed) allowed Jett to make the move once and for all. Cooper had no choice but to oblige, and did his best to counter the Australian in the final few laps...but all the while, Justin would have to deal with the relentless willpower of Hunter, too! And the ninety-six, simply wasn’t going to take anything less than a second-place standing...and immediately claimed the runner-up standing from Justin in the second corner (i.e. left-hander) on the racetrack. The one-two punch by the Lawrence brothers, was enough to force Cooper into third once and for all...and though finishing here, his execution of laps led throughout the day, definitely showed promise — while obtaining third overall.