RJ Hampshire takes P6 overall in St. Louis to complete second SMX Playoff round

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