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Haiden Deegan is Star Racing Yamaha’s elite rider at the moment. He’s stacking wins, chasing titles, dominating headlines, and pulling numbers on social media that rival anyone in the sport. He’s arguably the biggest star in motocross. But Star Racing wasn’t always the powerhouse it is today.
In fact, there was a time when the team wasn’t even in the conversation for podiums—let alone championships. Jeremy Martin and Cooper Webb changed that narrative.
Back in 2012, both riders were standouts in the amateur ranks, but neither had firm pro deals lined up. Bobby Regan, the owner of Star Racing, saw something in them. He gave both riders a shot—and the ripple effect changed the sport.
Martin dipped his toes into Pro Motocross at the final three rounds in 2012 before going full-time in 2013. By the following year, he shocked the field, winning the 2014 season opener at Glen Helen and eventually claiming the 250 Class championship. He backed it up with another title in 2015.
Webb, like Martin, turned pro in 2013. The North Carolina native making his debut at Hangtown. Though the two weren’t exactly close—putting it mildly—they pushed each other constantly, both on and off the track.
Together, Martin and Webb helped turn Star Racing from a mid-pack team into a title-winning juggernaut. During their run, they secured three Pro Motocross championships (Martin: 2014, 2015; Webb: 2016) and two 250SX West titles (Webb: 2015, 2016).
Now, more than a decade later, Star Racing is the elite 250 team in the pits—churning out champions, race winners and title contenders.
And Deegan? He’s the lead horse of the new era.
Following Martin’s emotional second-moto win at his home track in Millville this past Saturday—his final professional race—he reflected on the next generation with heartfelt admiration.
“It’s an honor to be able to battle with these guys,” he said. “I mean, to see the pace of the next generation. I mean, I was good back in my day, but these guys are really good now.
“I definitely put a lot of heart into it,” he continued. “To keep the keep the number one at bay ain’t… it’s not easy, right? To keep these guys, like I said, that next generation speed is insane.”
Deegan, who finished behind Martin in that second moto and took the overall, was asked what it meant to receive that level of praise.
“He’s raced a lot of badass dudes on a dirt bike,” he said.” So, for him to say that it’s awesome. Age is just a number clearly for him. To go out there in the second moto and dig like that, I’m going to be honest, I sprinted towards him. But with like five laps to go, I’m like, it’s all yours, I ain’t got really nothing left in the tank. So, yeah, props to him, but man, he was moving.”
As Deegan carries the torch for Star Racing into the future, it’s worth remembering who laid the foundation: Jeremy Martin and Cooper Webb.
Images: octopi.media
