Brandon Clarke
Words and Photos by Brandon Clarke
It’s a sunny Friday morning in Anaheim, California, and the atmosphere is buzzing with anticipation as the 2025 Monster Energy Supercross season kicks off. Under the shadow of the iconic “A” at Angel Stadium, the Monster Energy/Star Racing Yamaha pits are alive with the hum of preparation—mechanics fine-tuning bikes, riders preparing to ride for press day, while everyone shakes out the first-round jitters. Amidst the organized chaos, Jake Price, the 250 suspension technician for the team exudes calmness—even cracking jokes about not knowing what to do with his hands during a video interview. That aside, this is his domain, where precision meets passion, and where championship dreams are made one click at a time.
Jake Price is the mastermind behind the suspension and chassis setups that help some of the most talented 250 riders perform at their peak. But Jake’s journey to becoming a factory-level technician started at the same place most of us can relate to, his local track.
Humble Beginnings
Jake started his motocross journey as an amateur racer, though he modestly claims he wasn’t particularly good at it. He worked as a mechanic at a dealership, where his passion for tinkering with suspension blossomed. His skills earned him a reputation as a “suspension Jedi,” a title he fully embraced as he began to gain traction in the local racing scene. Before stepping out on his own, Jake was recruited by Bubba Pauli, team owner of ISRT Kawasaki (formerly known as MaddParts Kawasaki) for a single round of Supercross. His exceptional performance led to a full season offer, launching his professional career.
When asked if he had attended mechanic school, Price explained that his path was shaped more by hands-on experience, hard work, and connections than by formal education. “I planned to go,” he admitted, “but my success tinkering, and strong work ethic brought me here.”
In his second season of wrenching for Pauli’s team at the Seattle round of Supercross, Price was approached by Star Racing Yamaha. Transitioning to Star was a dream come true, but Price didn’t want to leave Pauli’s team high and dry. Bobby Reagan, team owner of Star Racing, commended him for his commitment and allowed him to finish the season wrenching for Pauli’s rider, Josh Cartwright on the weekends, while spending his weekdays building suspension at the Goat Farm in Georgia, home to Star’s training facility. This arrangement ensured he didn’t leave anyone hanging.\
The Day-to-Day Grind
Price’s role on the team leaves him very little down town. Aside from crisscrossing the country to go to 31 rounds of racing, Price’s workload involves building one to two test sets of suspension weekly and servicing another three to four sets. As the team’s roster, at times, feels infinite, he’s thankful for a recent hire who helps manage the strenuous workload.
Reflecting on how his privateer days prepared him for factory success, Price shared that working with limited resources taught him resilience and creativity. “You just have to figure out how to make it work,” he said. “Privateer riders are also a great way to get your foot in the door.” His advice for anyone aspiring to enter the sport? “Get to the races and introduce yourself to everyone.”
Finding Fulfillment in the Details
For Price, the most rewarding part of the job isn’t just podium finishes—it’s the moments of inspiration that lead to breakthroughs. In fact, he keeps a whiteboard in his shower to capture his best ideas. Translating these “eureka” moments into tangible improvements, like a rider navigating whoops more cleanly, is what brings him the greatest satisfaction.
Why Suspension Matters
While pro riders can adapt to almost any setup, Price emphasizes that proper suspension settings make a huge difference, especially for the average rider. “If your bike is wacky and hard to ride, it’s just no fun,” he said. “For pros, perfect settings allow their talent to truly shine.”
Price’s advice for weekend warriors looking to optimize their suspension includes:
- Regularly checking your sag (at least once a month if not more.)
- Experimenting with fork height to address front-end issues like knifing in corners.
- Remembering that suspension and chassis setup go hand in hand.
- Sending your suspension to a professional for set up and servicing.
Life at Star Racing Yamaha
When asked about the pickiest rider on the team, Price laughingly gave that nod to Nate Thrasher, noting that his top priority is keeping Thrasher happy. Thanks to countless hours of testing and innovation from his trusty whiteboard, they’ve nailed some settings that Thrasher loves. On the flip side, Price was asked which rider he gets frustrated by knowing that his settings could be better. He didn’t want to name names, but it’s a pretty fair assumption he carries a yellow number. Price said that the unnamed rider could ride a shopping cart and make it work if he had to.
At the end of the day, balancing rider feedback with his own intuition is an art for Price. He combines feedback, visual observations, and his theories to make the necessary changes, always prioritizing the rider’s needs.
Off the Track
When Price isn’t coming up with new ideas at the shop or at the track, you might find him skateboarding. Yet, his passion for suspension keeps him constantly learning and innovating. He expressed that every day is an opportunity to improve—both for himself and the riders who trust his expertise.
