RECAP – Round 7: Spring Creek

At a highly praised track among most riders and industry members, round seven at Spring Creek was another great day of racing. Haiden Deegan continued to stretch his point streak, further cementing himself as the odds on favourite to be crowned champion. Meanwhile, it was a similar story in the 450 class with Jett Lawrence. After failing to beat his brother Hunter in moto one, Jett came back stronger to win moto two and take home the overall victory in the 450 class. Among all the possible story lines to draw from at round seven, non were better than the farewell to professional racing that Jeremy Martin had.

Jeremy Martin.

Yep, the headline says enough. Jeremy caps off a successful career at the race track he grew up on in a one-off farewell race with Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha and leads laps while cruising to a moto two victory. Round seven at Spring Creek is located in Millville, Minnesota and the race track is owned and operated by Jeremy Martin’s family. He grew up in a house on the property and has had his fair share of success there during his professional career.

Martin is a two-time 250 class Pro Motocross champion (2014 and 2015) and has always been recognized for his prowess in the outdoors. After his championship winning years, Martin would continue to show signs of brilliance before continuously being sidelined with injuries. While missing so much time off the bike due to injuries, Martin never regained the dominance he once had, but would always loom as a threat anytime he lined up on the gate. Ahead of the 2025 Pro Motocross season, Martin would take some time away from racing and joined Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha during the latest Supercross season to front their VIP experience. In May, PulpMX’s Steve Matthes reported that Martin had signed a three-race deal with Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha and would make his return to Pro Motocross racing at the opening round in Pala, California. Although, a crash at round two at Hangtown would derail his plans and Martin decided to sit out round three at Thunder Valley but return for a final time at his home race, Spring Creek.

Martin began the day setting fast lap times in both 250 Group A qualifying sessions. He had the seventh fastest lap of the first session (1:59.800) and then improved in the second session by setting the third fastest lap (1:57.517), registering himself third overall in combined 250 class qualifying results. Martin clearly had the pace. The only remaining question was, did he have the fitness to handle 30 minutes plus two laps? Over the course of his career, Martin was known for being one of the most physically fit riders and there are countless stories of him out working others during training sessions. Martin couldn’t have asked for a better start to moto one than what he had. He began with an impressive holeshot and led the 250 field to begin the moto. Although he got passed by Seth Hammaker shortly thereafter, Martin held strong in second place before he teammate, Haiden Deegan, passed him on lap seven. Fortunate for Martin, he would only remain in third position for one lap as Hammaker crashed while leading. Martin would continue the moto strong and managed to finish in third after getting passed by Jo Shimoda on lap 10.

Moto two began the same for Martin as did moto one, if not better. He nailed another holeshot and would hold this lead for the opening three laps. By lap four, Martin succumbed to the pressure by Shimoda and took hold of second position. Unfortunately for Shimoda, he began to have issues with his rear brake and would lose control of the race lead after a mistake in the corner connected to the start straightaway on lap seven. With Shimoda’s bike issues and Deegan starting the moto outside of the top five, it was best case scenario for Martin. From lap seven onwards, Martin held control of first place. While passing the mechanics area on his final lap, three mechanics from the Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha team hung their pit boards out in sequential order to read “Job Well Done”. Observing Martin on his final lap it was clear he was taking in his final moments as a professional and celebrating over every jump with his local fans. Martin crossed the finish line celebrating and would secure second place overall on the day with 3-1 moto finishes, two points shy of the overall victory from Haiden Deegan.

It was an incredible scene at Spring Creek. Fans, event staff, teammates and even competitors were thrilled for Martin. It was a farewell race that felt like a dream. Getting two holeshots, leading laps, winning you’re final moto and securing an overall podium position—an ideal send off into retirement that all racers would desire. Now imagine accomplishing all of that on the race track you grew up on, and being able to celebrate immediately after with close family and friends. Martin ended his career the same way his career was defined, a scrappy underdog with sound race craft and fitness to propel him to become a winner.