race recap
COOPER WEBB - GRIT 232 450SMX
September 13, 2023 · Cooper Webb
COOPER WEBB | GRIT-232 | 450 SMX
Debuting on the Yamaha YZ450F, North Carolina's Cooper Webb would relish amongst his home state of North Carolina as practice began on Saturday. This hybrid racing surface was one-of-a-kind in regard to what had been presented thus far in 2023, and though Webb would depart early from the 2023 AMA Pro Motocross Championship, the former 450cc SX Champion seemed well-prepared for the atmosphere that was upon him following time(d) trials. His competitive spirit would be apparent as he sat aboard the line for moto-one, scanning the initial straightaway as a means to gain as much ground as possible prior to embarking on the first full lap. And as the pins unlatched shortly thereafter, it was Webb who assembled an opening standing of tenth prior to attacking the rear wheel of Adam Cianciarulo. The former amateur rivals would put on quite the show for the crowd in Charlotte, where there was no lapse in desire to partake in a feud with the Floridian. However, Webb's multitude of instances with sly precession would lead to a pass being made, where he (Webb) also took advantage of a mistake on behalf of Jett Lawrence. This allowed him to secure seventh for a brief while before beginning in another fight amongst the prolific Australian competitor...but even with an incredible line of defense, Lawrence was able to infiltrate and make his way around - with one lap to go! Though overtaken, the eighth-place score (which Webb obtained) would still be recognizable amongst this fierce 450cc pack. Not long thereafter was the field corralled amongst the gates to be unleashed with unbelievable fury, and Webb was immersed in it while fighting for position. Cooper was persistent enough through the first circuit to secure seventh, though he and Lawrence would battle (again) which eventually led to eighth place being Webb's as lap number three was solidified. However he wasn't done in regard to clashing amongst various other factory opponents, where he, Justin Barcia, and Aaron Plessinger were cast into an array of circumstances where the adversaries were only separated by mere feet! Webb's tenacity was enough to simultaneously move past Ty Masterpool, while following "AP" through the last seven minutes (or so) of action...and upon sweeping past the referee who waved the checkered flag, it was Webb's who's (second) debut on the Yamaha 450 equated to eighth overall on the day.