Christian Craig: “I have asked and have been granted an early release from my two year contract with Star Racing Yamaha”

Last night Christian Craig took to Instagram to provide an update. The 2022 250SX West Division Champion announced he asked for, and was granted, an early release from his two-year contract with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing. Craig was brought in prior to the 2025 season to serve as a rider and a 250 developmental coach, training and mentoring the team’s young riders. Now, his second stint with the team has come to an end. 

Craig missed the first half of the season as he recovered from a knee injury suffered at last year’s SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) finale. He made eight main events and finished 19th in the 450SX Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship, with a season-best finish of 11th at the final two rounds in Colorado and Utah.

He has not raced since the Salt Lake City SX finale in May, even though Cooper Webb went out with a knee injury around the midway point of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship. No word yet on whether or not this early release from his contract might explain why Craig did not get to race a YZ450F at the final few rounds to try to get into a guaranteed spot in the SMX Playoffs. Craig sits 29th in the 450SMX standings, which would force him to race all three Wild Card races in order to get into the two points-paying motos. 

Reports are he is linked to a deal that would see him race the FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) overseas. 

Below is Craig’s update.

“Just wanted to give everyone an update on what I’m doing. I have asked and have been granted an early release from my two year contract with Star Racing Yamaha. I’ve had a lot of great memories riding blue including winning a 250 SX Championship together. Thanks to everyone for the support and will update you on my future soon ❤️”

SuperMotocross

Position	Rider	Hometown	Qualifying Points	Points
1	Justin Cooper	Cold Spring Harbor, NY	670	25
2	Jett Lawrence	Landsborough, Australia	580	22
3	Malcolm Stewart	Haines City, FL	517	20
4	Cooper Webb	Newport, NC	516	18
5	Hunter Lawrence	Landsborough, Australia	516	17
6	Chase Sexton	La Moille, IL	510	16
7	Eli Tomac	Cortez, CO	475	15
8	Aaron Plessinger	Hamilton, OH	459	14
9	Justin Barcia	Monroe, NY	381	13
10	R.J. Hampshire	Hudson, FL	366	12
11	Ken Roczen	Mattstedt, Germany	288	11
12	Dylan Ferrandis	Avignon, France	285	10
13	Jorge Prado	Lugo, Spain	280	9
14	Joey Savatgy	Thomasville, GA	277	8
15	Jason Anderson	Edgewood, NM	262	7
16	Shane McElrath	Canton, NC	221	6
17	Colt Nichols	Muskogee, OK	220	5
18	Valentin Guillod	Switzerland	201	4
19	Justin Hill	Yoncalla, OR	194	3
20	Mitchell Harrison	Lansing, MI	194	2
21	Coty Schock	Dover, DE	191	0
22	Harri Kullas	Estonia	158	0
23	Mitchell Oldenburg	Alvord, TX	134	0
24	Benny Bloss	Oak Grove, MO	131	0
25	Benoit Paturel	France	131	0
26	Lorenzo Locurcio	Venezuela	121	0
27	Kyle Chisholm	Clearwater, FL	78	0
28	Grant Harlan	Justin, TX	72	0
29	Christian Craig	Temecula, CA	69	0
30	Fredrik Noren	Lidköping, Sweden	67	0

Full Standings