MARIETTA, Georgia - Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, is pleased
to announce a three-year partnership with the Monster Energy
Star Yamaha Racing team to field their campaign in both the 450 and 250
classes of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross and Lucas Oil Pro
Motocross Championships. The Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing 450 team
will be spearheaded by Aaron Plessinger and
newly-crowned 2020 250SX and 250MX champion Dylan Ferrandis, while
the 250 team has signed two-time 250 MX Champion Jeremy Martin and Christian Craig to join returning riders Colt Nichols, Justin Cooper and Jarrett Frye.
A long-time partner in the 250 support class
and amateur ranks, the Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing team has had
a history of success with 11 titles in the professional championships
and multiple Amateur National titles. The team will now add the 450 premier class to its tent to provide a consistent
program for riders advancing through the SX/MX racing ranks. Together,
Star and Yamaha will continue to work towards the goal of winning
championships. Along with key sponsorship from Monster Energy, the team
will receive full support from Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA.
Plessinger returns with
Yamaha for his third season in the 450 class. Two of the titles added to
Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing’s tally were earned by Plessinger in 2018 – the 250SX West and 250MX
Championship. The Ohio native has shown promise in his first two years
in the premier class, but unfortunately has had injuries that have
sidelined him for a good part of both championships in 2019 and the
2020 Pro Motocross season. As Plessinger
returns to the team, he looks to build on his progress and come out
swinging in 2021.
Making his 450-debut next year, Ferrandis
looks to keep his momentum rolling with the Monster Energy Star Yamaha
Racing team as he transitions to the premier class. After a great
2019 season with the 250SX West Championship and runner-up finish in the
Pro Motocross 250 class, the Frenchman was on fire in 2020. He won
both the 250SX West and 250MX Championship, scoring three supercross wins
as well as eight moto wins and three overall victories in motocross.
Jeremy Coker will be the team manager for the Monster Energy
Star Yamaha Racing 450 squad.
resh off a stellar 2020 season,
Martin returns to Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing’s 250 team to fight
for the crown. Earning back-to-back titles in the Pro Motocross 250MX
Championship in 2014 and 2015, Martin is eager to seal the deal in the
Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and continue to add to an
already accomplished 250 class career.
Craig also joins Star Racing’s powerhouse 250 line-up in
2021. The Californian has challenged for top honors on multiple occasions
and was in the fight for the 250SX West Championship before being sidelined
with an injury early in the season. Craig looks to fight for
top honors in 2021 with the Monster Energy Star Racing squad.
Nichols returns for his fifth season with the team. The
Oklahoman hit the ground running in 2019 with his first 250SX win at Anaheim
I and went on to score multiple podiums to finish third in the
championship. Unfortunately, injuries have kept him out of most of
this year, but now that he is close to full fitness, Nichols aims for
the crown in 2021.
Cooper also returns with the team for 2021. Since his first
full season with the team in 2019, the New Yorker has impressed. He
finished second overall in the 250SX East Championship with
six podiums and went on to take his first overall win in Florida, ending
the year third in the Pro Motocross 250MX Championship. Cooper
carried that momentum over to 2020, scoring his first Supercross win at
Anaheim I and finishing second in the 250SX West Championship. After
coming back from a preseason injury, Cooper made a late season charge
in the Pro Motocross Championship returning to the top of the podium
at Thunder Valley to finish fifth in the standings.
Stepping up to the professional ranks at Round 6 of the Pro
Motocross Championship was one of Star’s top amateur riders, Frye. The
19-year-old impressed with solid results, including a best result of sixth
overall at the final race of the season.
Lead by team manager Wil Hahn, the Monster Energy Star Yamaha
Racing 250 team has more top up-and-coming riders lying in wait: Nate Thrasher, Matt LeBlanc and Nick Romano. Thrasher, who recently
joined the team had a good showing at the final two rounds of the Lucas
Oil Pro Motocross season. Both LeBlanc and Romano have multiple
Amateur Nationals and show a lot of promise for the future. All three
riders full-time professional debut is yet to be
determined.
Jim Roach – Yamaha
Racing Department Manager for YMUS
“The Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing team has had a tremendous amount of
success over the years with both their Amateur and 250 Supercross and
Motocross programs,” said Roach. “Beginning in 2021, the Yamaha 450
program in both championships will transition to the Monster Energy
Star Yamaha team, as well. The overall goal is to continue the success
that the team has had, and to work toward winning 450 Championships. Having
the Amateur, 250, and 450 Supercross and Motocross programs with
the Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing team also ensures a smooth
transition for riders stepping through the program. It is an exciting time
for Yamaha, and we look forward to the upcoming racing season!”
Jeremy Coker -
Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing 450 Team Manager
“I have worked for Star Racing for six seasons and will be going on my
seventh full season of racing with the team,” said Coker. “For
the last five years, I was the Engine Technician and have been a part
of a total of 10 championships wins. I am really looking forward to
the opportunity to step up and manage the 450 program and look to take
Dylan and Aaron to the top step of the podium throughout the seasons
ahead.”
Wil Hahn –
Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing 250 Team Manager
“Coming off of two championship wins this season, I’m really looking
forward to next season with the goal of carrying that success
forward into 2021,” said Hahn. “We have a great lineup with Colt, Justin
and Jarret returning, some great additions with Jeremy and Christian,
and a bright future with Nate, Matt and Nick. I can’t wait for
the new year!”
Aaron Plessinger - Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing 450 Team
I’m really excited for next season with Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing.
I really had a good run with the team in 2018 with the 250 Supercross
and Motocross title,” said Plessinger. “I love
the team over there. I love the people on the team. I think we work really
well together. The last two years haven’t been too good for me with some
injuries and bad luck. I’m looking forward to getting back to
my winning ways and having a good time doing it. Going into 2021, I
couldn’t be more confident. With this team going in behind me I think
we can do extraordinary things next year.
Dylan Ferrandis - Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing 450 Team
“It’s been a dream of mine to fight for a championship in the 450 class in
the U.S. I’m so happy to be able to do that with the Monster Energy
Star Yamaha team,” said Ferrandis. “I feel at
home there. I’m still feeling in paradise with two championships this
year, but we will get back to work to fight next season.”
Jeremy Martin -
Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing 250 Team
“I’m very excited to have the opportunity this late in the year to get
back on the Yamaha for next year moving forward into 2021 with
the Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing team,” said Martin. “I’ve won
two championships with them in the past so I’m excited to pick
up where I left off and end my 250 career with a
bang!”
Christian Craig -
Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing 250 Team
“Moving to the Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing Team is quite a big deal
for me. Bobby (Reagan) has talked to me every year the past few years
to get me over here but the timing didn’t feel right. Finally
this year, I knew I needed to get out of my comfort zone if I wanted to
take my career to the next level,” said Craig. “Their whole program has a
lot of structure, which is something that has always benefited me
and helped my confidence. I’m extremely grateful to start the next chapter
in my career with these guys and look forward to putting in the
results I know I’m capable of.”