It was a steep learning curve for Cooper Webb in Charlotte upon return to Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing, adapting to the latest YZ450F and new surrounds, as well as the unique hybrid track layout on his way to eighth overall.

After spending more than four years at Red Bull KTM, Webb split with the brand and his reunion with Star Racing was made official just hours out from the opening SuperMotocross World Championship playoff.

High levels of anticipation surrounded his return to the team where he won a pair 250SX West titles, plus a 250MX crown, and after not lining up since the High Point National in June, he qualified sixth fastest ahead of the motos at ZMax Dragway.

Webb was 10th after the first lap in moto one, able to gain two positions by race’s end, before another tough start left him with work to do and he was then able to go one better than he did in the first moto for P7.

“The race day was up and down for me,” explained Webb. “Practice was decent – I was second and then sixth overall, which was good. The first moto, I definitely didn’t ride very well. I got a bad start, and the track was really tricky to pass on today. You kind of got stuck in a pace and I feel like that’s what I did.

“In the second one, once again, I got a really bad start, which didn’t help, but I felt like I rode a bit better. I’m a little bummed with the overall result, but at least I know what we need to work on and I think we made a good game plan on what that needs to be. We’ll work hard this week at the Star Racing facility and come back next weekend swinging.”

The points system for the SMX post-season works in the favor of riders like Webb who didn’t score as they would have liked in playoff one. Double points are on offer next time out in Chicago, before a potential 75 points are up for grabs as the post-season concludes at LA Coliseum.