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 ❤️”
| Position | Rider | Hometown | Qualifying Points | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jett Lawrence | Landsborough, Australia | 580 | 166 |
| 2 | Hunter Lawrence | Landsborough, Australia | 516 | 151 |
| 3 | Eli Tomac | Cortez, CO | 475 | 135 |
| 4 | Ken Roczen | Mattstedt, Germany | 288 | 117 |
| 5 | Justin Cooper | Cold Spring Harbor, NY | 670 | 115 |
| 6 | Cooper Webb | Newport, NC | 516 | 112 |
| 7 | R.J. Hampshire | Hudson, FL | 366 | 109 |
| 8 | Chase Sexton | La Moille, IL | 510 | 92 |
| 9 | Joey Savatgy | Thomasville, GA | 277 | 89 |
| 10 | Justin Barcia | Monroe, NY | 381 | 86 |
| 11 | Dylan Ferrandis | Avignon, France | 285 | 66 |
| 12 | Justin Hill | Yoncalla, OR | 194 | 62 |
| 13 | Benny Bloss | Oak Grove, MO | 131 | 57 |
| 14 | Shane McElrath | Canton, NC | 221 | 54 |
| 15 | Coty Schock | Dover, DE | 191 | 52 |
| 16 | Valentin Guillod | Switzerland | 201 | 49 |
| 17 | Dean Wilson | Scotland, United Kingdom | 57 | 23 |
| 18 | Marshal Weltin | Ubly, MI | 50 | 21 |
| 19 | Malcolm Stewart | Haines City, FL | 517 | 20 |
| 20 | Harri Kullas | Estonia | 158 | 15 |
| 21 | Mitchell Harrison | Lansing, MI | 194 | 14 |
| 22 | Aaron Plessinger | Hamilton, OH | 459 | 14 |
| 23 | Mitchell Oldenburg | Alvord, TX | 134 | 11 |
| 24 | Jorge Prado | Lugo, Spain | 280 | 9 |
| 25 | Jason Anderson | Edgewood, NM | 262 | 7 |
| 26 | Derek Drake | San Luis Obispo, CA | 24 | 6 |
| 27 | Colt Nichols | Muskogee, OK | 220 | 5 |
| 28 | Kyle Chisholm | Clearwater, FL | 78 | 4 |
| 29 | Grant Harlan | Justin, TX | 72 | 3 |
| 30 | Jeremy Hand | Mantua, OH | 34 | 1 |


