P2 podium celebrations for Malcolm Stewart at Salt Lake City Supercross finale

Formally announced in conjunction with the SMX League earlier today, the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team proudly enters the 2026 SMX World Championship series with a stacked five-rider roster led by 450 Class teammates Malcolm Stewart and RJ Hampshire, as well as the young and talented 250 trio of Ryder DiFrancesco, Casey Cochran and Daxton Bennick. Stewart and Hampshire will both be onboard the new Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition, while DiFrancesco, Cochran and Bennick will be equipped with the latest Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition machines. All five riders will contest the entire 28 regular season races of the indoor stadium season of AMA Supercross and the outdoor season of Pro Motocross, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, culminating in the post-season SMX Playoffs and World Championship Final. The experienced 33-year-old Stewart will enter his fifth-consecutive year racing the Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition, determined to build upon the form that saw him earn a first-career 450SX victory at his home round in Tampa, Florida. He finished fourth in the final championship standings indoors, with a total of three podiums to his credit. "It's really, really exciting to be back with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna for 2026," Stewart commented. "I feel like for myself, it's been a career year, these guys are awesome to work with, and I'm just really glad that we came to a mutual agreement to renew the deal into the new year. I can't wait to make more memories with this team down the road, so I'm already getting ready for A1 and hopefully for another strong year together." After transitioning to the 450MX category outdoors this past year with immediate success – including an overall podium at Ironman MX – and carrying that trend through the SMX post-season, Hampshire is stepping up to the premier class full-time in 2026. Also a Floridian, and at 29 years of age, the 2024 Western Divisional 250SX title winner will add excitement to the 450SX class when the gates drop in January. He also stood on the Motocross of Nations (MXoN) podium with Team USA this year. "I'm really excited to get this new season kicked off in my first year on the 450 full-time," explained Hampshire. "It will be my first time racing Supercross on the 450, so it's a new chapter in my career, and kind of like another fresh start for me. I can't wait to get into the stadiums and get ready to go racing here at A1!" Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing's 250 lineup is also on-track to make an impact, featuring three new incoming prospects for 2026. Cochran makes his return to the Husqvarna team, while DiFrancesco – also already a Rockstar Energy athlete within the group – transfers to the FC 250 Factory Edition, and Bennick is a welcomed addition to the roster. DiFrancesco enjoyed a promising 2025 campaign that saw him lead his share of laps throughout the SMX season, and now, the 20-year-old Californian is hoping to capitalize on that front-running experience upon entering the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna effort. "I'm looking forward to the upcoming season with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna," DiFrancesco said. "Especially based on the improvements that we made last year, just to apply what we learned for the season ahead. I'm excited to get back at the races, and even though it's not a super-long off season, I'm always excited to move forward and keep making progress in my career." For Cochran, he spent much of his decorated amateur career with Team Husqvarna, initially making his professional debut as part of the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna squad with a breakout 250MX podium at Spring Creek in 2024. The 19-year-old Tennessee native missed the majority of last season due to injury but is working hard to rebuild in the new year with the team's full support behind him. "Super-stoked to be back on Rockstar Energy Husqvarna for 2026," Cochran commented. "It's great to be back with the team and with a lot of familiar faces, so I'm looking forward to the upcoming season. We've got a good amount of time to get ready before Supercross, and I'm excited to get some good laps under my belt. I'm ready to get it all underway." Another new recruit for Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing is Bennick, who himself has immense experience with KTM Group machinery from his highly-successful amateur career. At 19, he has already claimed two podiums in 250SX, and the 2023 Nicky Hayden AMA Motocross Horizon Award recipient from North Carolina arrives with growing experience on his side upon already finding comfort at Husqvarna. "I really like the bike so far and I'm enjoying the new team – it's all going really well," Bennick explained. "I'm really happy with everything and I'm super-excited to learn as a team, keep improving together. We're pumped up and ready to do this in 2026!" Once again managed by Nathan Ramsey and with Sean Murphy returning as an integral part of the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna organization for 2026, the team is anticipating a successful season ahead. "I'm feeling really confident about our lineup of riders for 2026," stated Nathan Ramsey, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team Manager. "With Malc and RJ on the FC 450 Factory Editions leading the group, I have high hopes for what they are capable of in that championship fight. Then you throw in the young 250 riders, who are full of potential for long, successful careers with the team, I couldn’t be more excited for 2026. Ryder, Casey, and Dax are more than capable of being consistent podium guys who can battle for race wins and ultimately end up being championship contenders. With all that being said, it will be a quick off-season and it is crucial that we hit our marks to be mentally, physically, and technically ready to make a big splash in 2026." Click here to watch the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team talk with SMX broadcast reporter Jason Thomas about the upcoming 2026 SMX World Championship series. Following the 17-round Supercross season that spans January through May, the series will continue with 11-rounds of Pro Motocross between May and August, before culminating in the postseason Playoffs and World Championship Final that will take center stage next September.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire charged to a hard-fought sixth-place result at the 2025 SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) Final in Las Vegas tonight, which saw the premier class newcomer claim a solid P7 in the standings to complete his first 450SMX post-season. Onboard the Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition, Hampshire set the fifth-fastest qualifying time on what was a mixture of tight, technical sections, combined with high-paced outdoor obstacles and sand elements. An average start in Moto 1 had his work cut out for him, although an inspired charge saw RJ finish in sixth position. An improved start to Moto 2 had Hampshire in the battle throughout the early stages, although a deteriorating race track kept the Florida native measured in his approach, posting a convincing fifth-place result to complete what was a successful series. Hampshire entered the premier 450 division full-time at the beginning of this year’s Pro Motocross Championship after taking the 250SX East Class title down to the final round and ultimately placing third. The impressive 29-year-old then went on to establish himself as a regular top-five contender in both the outdoors – where he finished P5 in the 450MX standings – and the 450SMX post-season. “All in all, it was another solid weekend!” reflected Hampshire. “I felt good on the bike in timed qualifying, then didn't get the best start in Moto 1, but I felt like I rode well. The second moto, I got a good start, but I felt a little tight in the beginning and I figured it wasn't worth risking it too much out there. I didn't feel overly comfortable on the high-speed sections, but I think overall I was sixth for tonight. It was a solid few races of SMX, and I'm excited to be leading into next year with a solid base." 450SMX teammate Malcolm Stewart remained on the sidelines for the Las Vegas SMX Final, still recovering from an incident at Playoff 1. The 32-year-old enjoyed a solid regular season campaign in 2025, earning fourth in 450SX – which featured a career-first win in Tampa – as well as seventh overall in Pro Motocross. Results 450SMX Class – SMX Final 1. Jett Lawrence (Honda) 2. Hunter Lawrence (Honda) 3. Eli Tomac (Yamaha) 6. RJ Hampshire (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) 9. Justin Barcia (GASGAS) 14. Chase Sexton (KTM) Standings 450SMX Class 2025 after 3 of 3 rounds 1. Jett Lawrence, 166 points 2. Hunter Lawrence, 151 3. Eli Tomac, 135 7. RJ Hampshire, 109 8. Chase Sexton, 92 10. Justin Barcia, 86 19. Malcolm Stewart, 20 22. Aaron Plessinger, 14

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire raced to a well-earned sixth-place result at the second SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) Playoff round in St. Louis, Missouri, racing forward throughout both 450SMX motos tonight. Equipped with his Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition, Hampshire set the fourth-fastest qualifying time on what was an extended, technical course within The Dome at America’s Center, before a climb through the field in the first outing saw him land seventh position. Another mid-field start in Moto 2 had the premier class newcomer Hampshire playing catch-up throughout the 20-minute plus-one-lap duration, with the 29-year-old powering to an improved P6 finish, and claiming sixth overall for the weekend. Just seven points separate Hampshire – currently ranked eighth – and fourth position in the 450SMX championship standings, with triple points on the line in Las Vegas set to shake up the overall placements one final time in season 2025. “All-in-all, it was a solid weekend,” commented Hampshire. “Nothing too special, I just clicked off my laps and managed to post a good one in qualifying for P4. I had good speed in Moto 1, but just a couple of mistakes cost me a bit, but I felt really good for it being my first kind of Supercross-type race on the 450. I was stoked on how everything felt and I know that we’ll continue to make progress. Second moto, again not a great start, but on a track that was hard to pass, it’s decent that we’re leaving here with a sixth place. We’ll take it, and now we’ll come out firing for the last one in Las Vegas.” Despite an attempt to ride in the first qualifying session, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing 450SMX teammate Malcolm Stewart ultimately withdrew from racing at SMX Playoff 2 while still recovering from the effects of a minor back injury suffered last weekend. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Amateur Factory Elite prospect Landon Gibson was also in action for the 2025 SMX Next World All-Stars in St. Louis, record an eighth-place result during Friday's opening race of the weekend, before finishing ninth tonight onboard his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition. Next Race: September 20 – Las Vegas, Nevada Results 450SMX Class – SMX Playoff 2 1. Hunter Lawrence (Honda) 2. Jett Lawrence (Honda) 3. Eli Tomac (Yamaha) 6. RJ Hampshire (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) 7. Chase Sexton (KTM) 11. Justin Barcia (GASGAS) Standings 450SMX Class 2025 after 2 of 3 rounds 1. Jett Lawrence, 91 points 2. Hunter Lawrence, 85 3. Eli Tomac, 75 4. Chase Sexton, 68 8. RJ Hampshire, 61 11. Justin Barcia, 47 17. Malcolm Stewart, 20 19. Aaron Plessinger, 14