Troy Dog
Notice that this column now has a sponsor? That’s right! Troy Dog joined the Blu Cru and you should too! Have you seen the new 2024 models with the special livery? Go look right now! It’s amazing.
If you’re an avid listener to the weekly Squad Pod on the Vurbmoto Podcast Network then you know I’ve been bringing some serious hype on Casey Cochran. I basically have been saying that everyone needs to watch out because when this kid turns pro he’s going to go on to win everything.
Obviously that’s not fair to him nor is it fair to his competition that he has to move up and race in the pros. For that bit I’m sorry. However, Cochran has all the makings of being a great champion in this sport one day and here is why.
Cochran has been winning Loretta Lynn’s championships since he was on a Cobra 50 in the (4-6) class. In all he has accumulated six championships at the Ranch and he might have one more year there next year depending on what Rockstar Husqvarna decides to do with him. Sure, amateur titles don’t always translate to pro stardom, but hear me out. This kid is built differently.
Cochran was a member of Matt Walker’s Moto X Compound for the longest time. That’s where I first heard of him. He also was one of those riders that chose to race an RM85, which I’ve been told is an incredible all-around bike still to this day to learn the fundamentals on. Eli Tomac once harnessed his skills on an RM85 and look at him now. Many others did the same.
The support from Husqvarna may have been there in recent years, but I’m not actually sure how much help Casey has gotten over the years from OEMs. Like, he hasn’t been on a team until after Loretta Lynn’s last season. He’s always been on his own program and under the radar it seems. That’s perfect. Some of his biggest competition has had support form the Orange Brigade, Blu Cru, or Team Green Kawasaki, and he’s beaten them all for titles over the years. (Does Team Cobra count?) This has got to put a fire in him and I think the underrated aspect of his program is really going to make his pro career something special. The hype has been there for Cochran, but at the same time it hasn’t. I was always trying to figure out why he wasn’t a guy on a factory supported ride.
Now with Rockstar Husqvarna in his back pocket, Cochran has been on a heater in 2023. He’s developing at a steady pace and his next move is turning pro tomorrow at Budds Creek. I think he’s going to put in a very consistent day and turn some more heads.
It’ll be interesting to watch the rest of this story play out. Will the group keep him down for A class next season? Will he turn pro at Anaheim 1? Or will he race Mini O’s and the spring nationals and then turn pro for the outdoors? Or will he race next year fully in the Pro Sport classes and jump in some nationals here and there next summer like Dax Bennick did this year?
Your guess is as good as mine, however I’m certain that no matter how this plays out, Casey Cochran is going to turn into a great champion in this sport. He’s got what it takes. You can count on that.
Main image: Husqvarna
