Photo: Shift One Photography

There’s nothing better than a good comeback story, and Rockstar/Husqvarna’s Austin Stroupe is writing one of his own. The former amateur prodigy and factory level professional took a few wrong turns in his career, but the North Carolinian looks to be back on track.

After returning to action as a privateer on a borrowed machine in the AMSOIL Arenacross series, Austin won a Lites East main event and scored a fill-in ride on the Rockstar/Husqvarna when the defending Champion Kyle Regal went down injured. Austin quickly paid the team manager Junior Jackson back with a podium in the Arenacross class in his first ride on the Husky and Junior rewarded the #981 with some job security through the remainder of the 2016 AMSOIL Arenacross series.

Unlike in Monster Energy Supercross, the AMSOIL Arenacross resets the points later in the season—the top riders in points advance to Championship chase—so if Austin can ride like we know he’s capable of, he could theoretically end this comeback story with a Championship. We hope at the very least it gets Stroupey back to where he belongs: racing for AMA Supercross and Motocross Championships.

Check out team manager Junior Jackson announcing the signing on Instagram:

Author

Dan Lamb is a 12+ year journalist and the owner of MotoXAddicts.