Monster Energy Factory Yamaha have officially announced that Josh Grant will fill-in for the injured Aaron Plessinger for the remainder of Monster Energy AMA Supercross, beginning this weekend in Seattle. The long-time veteran has yet to race in 2019 after not securing a ride following the 2018 season.
Grant began the 2018 season with Monster Energy Kawasaki but sustained a fracture to his right tibia in Arlington and missed the rest of the season after undergoing surgery to repair the injury. The injury also ruled him out for all but one round of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship.
"Although I’m bummed for Aaron, I’m really excited to have this opportunity with Yamaha,” Grant said in a statement. “I plan to hold the fort down for him while he takes the necessary time to heal. I was coming off of an injury last season in supercross, it was unfortunate and took longer to heal than expected but it allowed me to reset my entire body and I feel surprisingly fresh this year.
"The last time I rode a Yamaha was 2014. From the moment I hopped on the bike for the first time last week, I noticed right away that the team has made a lot of changes that helped the bike in so many ways. I felt comfortable right away and I look forward to bringing that comfort to the race track on Saturday nights.”
Grant spent a number of years on a Yamaha (2009-2010; 2013-2014) and garnered his lone Monster Energy AMA Supercross win with JGR Yamaha in 2009.
Plessinger has been ruled out for the remainder of supercross after sustaining a broken heel in a crash at round 10 at Daytona. Plessinger underwent surgery on a broken right heel on March 14.
“This has been a difficult season with injuries for our team. Aaron will miss the remaining rounds of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season while recovering from surgery after his Daytona accident,” team manager Jim Perry said in a statement. “So, with plenty of racing to go, Josh Grant will fill in for six remaining supercross events starting this weekend in Seattle, Washington. It will be exciting to see Josh line up on the number 33 YZ450F, the brand he won his first supercross main event on.”
