Slaw Dog
Monster Energy/Yamaha Star Racing’s Colt Nichols won’t be returning to the team in 2022.
The 2021 Monster Energy Supercross 250SX East Region Champion broke both his arm at the 2022 West Region season opener and has been out of action since. Due to the pointing out rule in Supercross, Nichols is forced to move the 450 Class in 2023 and it looks like that will begin early.
There was some thought that Nichols may return for the last four rounds of Lucas Oil Pro Motocross, but he announced on Instagram yesterday that the team has be gracious enough to let him get a head start on preparing for 2023 with a yet to be announced new team.
“I wanted to take a minute and bring everyone up to speed on my plans for now and in the future. But first I want to thank STAR Racing, Bobby, Brad, Jeremy, and all of the other staff currently and in the past for all that you have done for me the past 6 years. You all had a big part to play in allowing me to reach one of my childhood goals of becoming a Supercross Champion and helping build the foundation that I now having moving forward in my career. I truly could not have achieved these things without your unwavering support. Bobby kept resigning me when i got injured believing I could win a championship one day and I will be forever grateful to everybody apart of STAR racing. As much as I am going to miss my STAR team, I am really looking forward to my next chapter in my journey as I move up to the 450 class next year, and thankful to STAR for allowing me to start this journey early to get a head start on next season. In the next few weeks I will be able to share more, but you will see me on a new bike/team, gear, and all the rest. This has been a year I would rather forget having not been able to truly show what I was capable of, but it only gives me more motivation to make this step into the 450 class a successful one. Thanks to my family, friends, sponsors, and most of all fans for always supporting me through these injuries and comebacks. 💕💕”
At this time Nichols’ 2023 deal has not been announced, but rumors have him riding a 450 for a new team next year.
Main image: Yamaha
