Although not having been crowned champion in either Monster Energy Supercross or Pro Motocross this year, Justin Cooper’s consistency throughout the SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) regular season has earned him the number one seed entering the playoffs this September, with added points often playing a critical role in the title picture.

The addition of the SMX standings has added a sort of ‘series within a series’ over the past couple of years, with the sport’s top riders targeting the number one seed and the maximum 25 points that are earned as a result, while other riders who are on the bubble of the top 20 fight for a direct entry – avoiding the pressure-filled LCQ at each of the three rounds.

For 2025, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper has pieced together a solid campaign both indoors and out in the premier class, avoiding injury and time spent on the sidelines throughout each discipline, which has had a large impact on his competition and the individual champions this year.

Image: Octopi Media.

After earning his third 450SX title, teammate Cooper Webb was less of a factor outdoors, posting a series of results in the back-half of the top 10 before exiting the series altogether after a knee injury sustained at RedBud. 450MX title-winner Jett Lawrence (Honda HRC Progressive), on the other hand, missed the majority of Supercross due to an ACL tear occurring at Glendale’s fourth round.

Then there is Chase Sexton (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), who has had two separate stints on the sidelines during Pro Motocross and is currently situated fourth overall, just six markers from Webb. Interestingly, Sexton’s withdrawal from the outdoors effectively sees him forfeit the third-seeded position, leaving Webb with 20 points and Sexton on 18 when we arrive in Charlotte, as it currently stands.

Given Sexton’s ability to fight for championships, two points could prove crucial in the final analysis, and he should know, as this is the exact amount he lost the Supercross championship to Webb this year. It could get worse, too, as Hunter Lawrence (Honda HRC Progressive) is currently on 471 points, which is 45 from Webb and 39 off Sexton.

Image: Octopi Media.

Although both riders are in jeopardy, 39 seems certainly attainable (a 3-3 scorecard makes 40 points), meaning that Sexton’s absence could ultimately create a five-point swing, which we know can be absolutely critical in any title picture. Lurking, too, is Malcolm Stewart (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing), who also presents a risk in the background.

Returning to Cooper, he finished third in Supercross and is currently situated P4 in the 450MX points-race with a round to spare, and all things considered, it’s been a good season for the New York native. We can’t forget that it was only a year or two ago that his full-time 450 transition appeared somewhat shaky, as not a lot of options seemed open to the former 250SX West champion.

But as the season lengthens, consistency is becoming increasingly important, as Webb pointed out in a social media comment recently, where he noted: “Sucks when you aren’t the fastest but still win a championship, huh.” This was a tongue-in-cheek response to Phil Nicoletti’s Canadian 450 Pro Championship victory.

Image: Octopi Media.

The comment was a sneaky reference to himself lifting the 450SX crown again this year, since at certain stages he wasn’t mentioned alongside the likes of title rivals Lawrence, Sexton, or Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing), who are notoriously recognized for their outright speed.

In 2025 and in SMX terms, however, Cooper being able to sustain front-running speed throughout both series while staying healthy is an incredibly difficult thing to accomplish. Harping on about consistency doesn’t mean he wasn’t fast, either. Six podium finishes – with a season high of P2 in Indianapolis – as well as a further 11 top-fives underline the 32’s efforts.

Overall, all of this matters because as has been the case in many title fights, single-digit points can be the defining factor as to who ultimately walks away as champion. Take 450SX this year, or 2017 when Ryan Dungey edged Tomac by four points, plus even 2006, as Ricky Carmichael beat both Chad Reed and James Stewart by two points – it does happen.

That’s why Justin Cooper’s three-point advantage at the head of the field matters, because when it comes down to it – even with the unique double and triple point-scoring system for playoff two and the SMX Final – the championship decider can come down to extremely tight margins.