This Week in Powersports Racing – The week of February 9, 2025

Malcolm Stewart claims maiden 450SX Main Event victory in Tampa

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Malcolm Stewart has captured a first-career 450SX Main Event victory, with the Floridian putting in a spectacular performance in front of his home crowd at Tampa’s fifth round of the 2025 AMA Supercross Championship.

Stewart’s day during Round 5 of the season started off in convincing fashion, with the 32-year-old charging to the third fastest lap time on a dry, technical Tampa circuit which put him and his Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition to the ultimate test.

A hard charge in his Heat Race saw Stewart capture a commendable second-place finish, maintaining momentum from qualifying into the night show at Raymond James Stadium.

In the Main Event, Stewart got off the line well, with steady progress forward seeing him in second position by the midway mark. From there, he continued to close into the deficit of the leader, before utilizing his superior whoop speed to complete what was ultimately a race-winning pass. That was all that he needed, as he went on to record his maiden premier class race win.

“This has been an emotional rollercoaster to get here,” reflected Stewart. “I did my knee in ’23 and from that point I wasn’t sure… especially after last year, just not being able to figure it out and I was so down on myself. I felt like I was fighting everything, until my Dad sat me down and said ‘Look, either quit racing or go out there and make sure you have fun, because that’s why we do this in the first place.’ Fast forward from there to now in 2025, I had a great off-season, and I felt like I was in a position to do this. At my home race, I couldn’t hear my motorcycle at times the crowd was so loud! Between my Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team and my also family, it’s been a real effort together – this one is special!”

Last year’s 250SX West Champion RJ Hampshire made a welcome return to racing in Tampa, lining up as one of the favorites for the opening round of 250SX East Class competition.

The Florida local wasted no time in getting up to speed, with the experienced racer trading times atop the qualifying timesheet, before posting the second-fastest lap-time entering the night show.

A holeshot in the opening Heat Race of the series saw Hampshire complete a clean race, inching away from his rivals and taking a comfortable win, setting the tone for the Main Event onboard his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition.

Unfortunately for Hampshire, a mid-field start was followed by an incident with a tuff block becoming attached to his motorcycle, ultimately losing significant time in the process. Reverting to a points-salvaging mode, he would cross the line in 18th place.

“I was really excited to go racing again in Tampa,” commented Hampshire. “I qualified second and felt really good fighting for that top spot, and then took that into the Heat Race, which I won. Main Event, I didn’t get a good start and got pushed around a bit during the opening laps, and then around lap three I caught a tuff block on my footpeg, and from there the rest is history. I couldn’t get it out for some time and it’s disappointing because I felt really good tonight. It is what it is, I have dug myself a bit of a hole, although we’ve done it before and I know I can get out of it, so we’ll just get after it in these next rounds.”

Next Race: February 15 – Detroit, Michigan

Results 450SX Class – Tampa

1. Malcolm Stewart (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)

2. Cooper Webb (Yamaha)

3. Jason Anderson (Kawasaki)
5. Chase Sexton (KTM)
6. Justin Barcia (GASGAS)

8. Aaron Plessinger (KTM)

Standings 450SX Class 2025 after 5 of 17 rounds

1. Chase Sexton, 101 points

2. Cooper Webb, 96

3. Jason Anderson, 84
6. Malcolm Stewart, (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) 77

9. Justin Barcia, 68

13. Aaron Plessinger, 40

Results 250SX East Class – Tampa

1. Max Anstie (Yamaha)

2. Daxton Bennick (Yamaha)

3. Cameron McAdoo (Kawasaki)
5. Tom Vialle (KTM)

18. RJ Hampshire (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)

Standings 250SX East Class 2025 after 1 of 10 rounds

1. Max Anstie, 25 points

2. Cameron McAdoo, 20
3. Seth Hammaker, 18
5. Tom Vialle, 17

18. RJ Hampshire (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing), 4

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Dalton Shirey fourth in Moapa

Former National Hare & Hound Champion Dalton Shirey finished fourth for the second time in as many rounds to open the 2025 season, the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider maintaining consistency in Moapa, Nevada, at The Wild West National.

Shirey completed the opening loop in fifth position and charged forward from there, displaying front-running pace for the duration of the race despite navigating through the dusty conditions at speed.

A late attempt to make a pass for the podium fell short, as Shirey finished in a total time of 1:59:37 for an eventual P4 result.

Following a results sheet that largely replicated the opening round, Shirey continues to sit fourth in the championship standings onboard his Husqvarna FC 450, building confidence and match fitness in the series’ early stages.

“I was right there on third, just outside of the podium in the end,” Shirey said. “The whole second loop, I was trying to get by for position, but in the open stuff it was silty and I couldn’t see through the dust. I just rode smart, it would have been a high-risk situation, but I took a shot at it toward the end, so it was super-close. The way I felt today was night and day different to Round 1, the course was so good – I just needed a start and was trying to make stuff happen, but it wasn’t working out. Onto the next one!”

Pro Class Results

1. Zane Roberts, Beta

2. Dante Oliveira, KTM

3. Daemon Woolslayer, Husqvarna

4. Dalton Shirey, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing

JUSTIN BARCIA MATCHES SEASON-BEST 2025 SUPERCROSS RESULT IN TAMPA

Rockstar Energy GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia matched his season-best result of sixth place at Round 5 of the 2025 AMA Supercross Championship in Tampa, Florida, with a calculated ride during a hard-fought night of competition displaying the experienced 450SX racer’s capabilities.

• Justin Barcia raced to a season-high P6 score in Tampa
• Weekend defined as ‘step in the right direction’ for motivated 450SX contender
• BamBam currently sits ninth overall in the 450SX standings

Barcia’s race day inside Raymond James Stadium began by piloting his GASGAS MC 450F Factory Edition into 10th position during qualifying, with the dry, hard-packed circuit proving to be a technical challenge for riders and teams alike.

As the night show commenced, a mid-field start in the Heat Race followed by a series of quick passes saw ‘BamBam’ climb into fourth place, which is where he would remain to conclude the race, earning a strong gate selection for the premier class Main Event.

On a night that bit its fair share of riders, Barcia used his smarts to remain focused throughout the Main Event, logging consistent, fast laps that saw the number 51 equal his best finish of the year in sixth position by race’s end, with he and the Rockstar Energy GASGAS Factory Racing Team making strides forward as the season progresses.

With his result, Barcia currently sits ninth place overall in the 450SX standings.

Justin Barcia: “Tampa was a step in the right direction and the day went much better. In the Heat Race we got off to a good start, before I got a bit tangled up in the first turn, so I made a push to make up positions. Later on, I got off to a pretty good start in the Main, the track was super-technical, and we had some good battles. I’m really hungry to get that podium and I know with how we’re working we’ll get there soon.”

Rockstar Energy GASGAS Factory Racing teammate Casey Cochran – who was scheduled to contest the entire 250SX East series in 2025 – was absent from Round 1 of the Eastern Regional series while continuing to recover from his off-season injury.

TOP-FIVE FINISHES FOR TOM VIALLE AND CHASE SEXTON IN TAMPA SUPERCROSS

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s reigning 250SX East Champion Tom Vialle has opened his defense with a measured P5 finish in Tampa’s first round of the Eastern Regional series, as 450SX teammate Chase Sexton extended his advantage in the 2025 AMA Supercross Championship standings with a fifth-place result at Raymond James Stadium.

Tampa marked the opening round for the 250 SX East division, with two-time MX2 World Champion Vialle sporting the number 1 plate aboard his KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION and ready to mount another title challenge this season.

After qualifying 10th at the conclusion of this afternoon’s sessions, Vialle rallied in the night’s opening Heat Race, racing up front with the leader before posting a strong ride that earned the Frenchman a third-place finish.

Vialle paced himself during the 250SX East Main Event, with the track proving to be a significant challenge to the riders with its slick, hard-packed base. With that in mind, a measured performance at the season-opening round saw him register an eventual P5 result.

Tom Vialle:“I had a big crash through the whoops in qualifying, so I was lucky to get away with that one. I didn’t feel great in practice or qualifying, although felt a bit better for the night show and P5 for our first Main Event of the year. It’s not bad, and although it’s not where we want to be, we’ll build from here and get better for next weekend.”

Equipped with the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, Sexton powered his way to the top of the 450SX qualifying timesheets, achieving comfort early in the day on what proved to be a difficult circuit layout.

The momentum would continue for the number 4, who braved a chaotic first turn during his Heat Race to emerge in the mid-pack. From there, a patient ride eventuated in a late pass for the lead, with Sexton breezing to the race win from there.

The Main Event was going to plan for the championship red plate-holder, as he held the lead early, building upon his margin as the race continued. An untimely late-race fall saw Sexton surrender P1, and have to nurse his way home in order to consolidate and maximize points, which he would achieve with a gritty fifth place on the night.

Chase Sexton:“Not the way I wanted to end my night after a good day in Tampa. I was solid all day and qualified fastest, but on a bad lap in the Main Event I went down in the whoops while leading and damaged my front brake and throttle, so basically just had to salvage what I could, limping it home to finish out the race – not an ideal way to finish out the weekend. We’ll get to work again this week and come out swinging at Detroit.”

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Aaron Plessinger raced to an impressive second-place finish during the night’s opening 450SX Heat Race, with recent progress paying dividends for ‘The Cowboy’ in Florida.

With starts now at a premium in the highly-competitive 450SX field, Plessinger suffered from track position in the Main Event, and was battling for position inside the top 10 throughout. Continuing to fight, he would finish the night with a P8 result, which marks his best finish of the year so far.

Aaron Plessinger: “The afternoon was tough, but we found a setting heading into the Heat Race and felt like I ripped in that one! I made a few good passes in the first couple of laps, then ended up second. Come the Main, my start was decent before I got shuffled back early, and just rode around in eighth from there. That was the best I had today, so we’ll go back and do some homework before Detroit.”

FMF KTM FACTORY RACING’S BEN KELLEY SCORES PODIUM FINISH AT SUMTER NATIONAL ENDURO

FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Ben Kelley finished third at Round 1 of the 2025 AMA National Enduro Series (NEPG) in Sumter, South Carolina, as teammate Dante Oliveira continued his impressive return to AMA National Hare & Hound (NHHA) competition by scoring a second-place finish in the Pro Class at Round 2 in Moapa, Nevada.

NATIONAL ENDURO SERIES – ROUND 1

After what was a challenging 2024 season due to injury, Kelley’s aim for the new year was to build momentum by delivering consistent results on board his KTM 350 XC-F, which his podium finish in Sumter signifies.

Steady progress across the six tests – comprised of tight, technical sections – earned Kelley the final step on the NE Pro1 Class podium, and a will prove a valuable springboard for the 2025 season.

Ben Kelley: “First round of the NEPG season went well with a third-place finish and a great spot to build from. It was a physically demanding race with the heat and the tight, beat up trails. I made a few mistakes throughout the day, but overall I rode solid, had good feeling on the bike and was in the mix with competitive test times. Good start to the season and I look to build from it and continue to work toward bettering myself and my riding. I’m excited to be back at the races after a good off-season and am happy to start off on a good note.”

Equipped with their KTM 250 XC-F machines, FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers riders Angus Riordan and Brandy Richards opened their respective National Enduro campaigns in Sumter. Riordan experienced a challenging day to finish 11th in the NE Pro2 Class, while Richards finished third in the Women’s Elite category as she begins to adapt to the series.

Angus Riordan: “It was a very bad day for me today at Round 1. I have never raced anything that tight before and just struggled to adapt to it, although we’ll regroup and build from here.”

Brandy Richards:“The first round of NEPG was definitely a learning experience. It was a challenging day trying to learn how to ride some super-tight tree sections and figuring out how to read the trail and markers. I have a lot to learn, but I’m excited to to work to better myself in this style of racing.”

Additionally, KTM Team Landers-supported Chase Landers put in a strong ride in the NE Pro2 Class, by claiming a convincing second position at the opening round.

NE Pro1 Class Results
1. Steward Baylor Jr, Kawasaki
2. Josh Toth, Kawasaki
3. Ben Kelley, FMF KTM Factory Racing

NE Pro2 Class Results
1. Jason Tino, GASGAS
2. Chase Landers, KTM
3. Jhak Walker, Beta
11. Angus Riordan, FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers

Women’s Elite Results
1. Rachel Gutish, Sherco
2. Rachael Archer, Kawasaki
3. Brandy Richards, FMF KTM Factory Racing Team Landers

NATIONAL HARE & HOUND SERIES – ROUND 2

FMF KTM Factory Racing standout Dante Oliveira raced to second position at Round 2 of the AMA National Hare & Hound Series (NHHA) in Moapa, Nevada, which continued his successful return to the series following a lengthy layoff.

It had been over a decade since Oliveira last lined up for a NHHA event prior to 2025, with the defending National Grand Prix Champion arriving to Moapa in the lead-up to become familiarized with the terrain.

On an all-new circuit layout, Oliveira completed both loops in second position on his KTM 450 XC-F, and was within striking distance of the leader while delivering a consistent podium finish, continuing a welcomed return to the series.

Dante Oliveira: “The event here was good after we worked in a track up the road, which was similar to the race track, although not too similar at the same time. It helped with learning the desert and seeing what’s out here, but it was a wild race! A lot of back and forth in the beginning, navigating some rain ruts, and then once I got into P2 I was just charging. Zane [Roberts] rode great today, I could see his dust in some sections so we were close, but in the end P2 is what we had. We’ll go for that holeshot next time for some clear track – I like it out front!”

Pro Class Results
1. Zane Roberts, Beta
2. Dante Oliveira, FMF KTM Factory Racing
3. Daemon Woolslayer, Husqvarna
4. Dalton Shirey, Husqvarna

Webb Scores Back-to-Back Runner-Up Finishes

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb finished second on a wild night of racing at the Raymond James Stadium, Round 5 of Monster Energy AMA Supercross and the SuperMotocross World Championship, in Tampa, Florida. The North Carolina rider charged his way through the field to secure a second-consecutive runner-up finish, moving him to second in the hotly contested 450SX title chase and closing the gap to five points. Justin Cooper continued to make progress with a season-best result, finishing fourth. Unfortunately, Eli Tomac injured his leg during the second qualifying session but he put in a gritty, determined ride to finish 17th and score valuable points in the championship.  

On the heels of a runner-up finish at Glendale, Webb who now calls Florida home, was looking forward to heading east to home turf. The day got off to a strong start as he qualified second and then went on to grab the holeshot and a convincing victory in his heat race. Unfortunately, he did not get off the gate as he had hoped in the main event and found himself towards the back of the field. Webb immediately went to work and was 10th after the first lap and made his way to sixth by Lap 3. He continued his way through to third and claimed the runner-up spot in the final laps, scoring his third podium of the season and advancing to second in the championship and five points from the top spot.

Tomac was on track for a top night in Tampa. The Colorado rider showed speed from the start, setting the fastest time in the first qualifying session, but unfortunately injured his leg in the second qualifying session. Qualifying eighth in the combined times, Tomac had a decent start in his heat race in fifth and soldiered on to finish seventh despite feeling less than 100%. In the main event, he did not get the start he was looking for and found himself at the back of the field but he continued to push on to finish 17th and score five points. Tomac’s determined ride keeps him in the top five in the point standings and within 21 points of the leader. 

Cooper had a good start to the East Coast swing in Tampa, qualifying fifth. He then built on that with a great start to the heat race, slotting into the runner-up spot and quickly claiming the lead. The New Yorker led for most of the race and ultimately crossed the line third. In the main event, Cooper got another great start in second, and although he was shuffled to sixth, he continued to battle for position all the way to the end, making the pass for fourth on the final lap. His fourth-place finish marks his best result thus far during his sophomore season in the premier class. 

Next weekend, the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team heads to Detroit, Michigan for Round 6 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and SuperMotocross World Championship and Round 2 of the 250SX East Championship at Ford Field on February 15.

Rich Simmons – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing 450 Team Manager
“I’ll start with the elephant in the room – it was an unfortunate night for Eli. It was just a freak accident with him getting his foot caught between the foot peg and the ground during qualifying. He was really sore and bruised, but he did the best he could to manage a points night. On the other hand, it was a great night for Webb. He didn’t get a great start in the main event, but he rode really well to work his way through the pack to get second place and cut the gap in half for the championship – he came in 10 down and leaves five down. Then for Justin Cooper, it was a big turnaround for him confidence-wise. He continued to ride well through the day and build on that. He got a good start in the heat and was third, and another good start in the main, and just kind of stayed in the mix. Riding with those guys is building confidence for him. So, there are definitely some positives on an up-and-down night, and we’ll move on to Detroit.” 

Cooper Webb – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #2
“Overall, it was a good day. I was able to qualify second, won the heat race, and finished second in the main. I just made a mistake on the start, got some wheel spin, and was buried. I made a good charge through the pack and was picking guys off. I’m just a little bit bummed because I felt like I was coming through with Malcolm (Stewart), and then I was making some mistakes, lost the tow, and the lappers kind of interfered. Overall, it was a good points night and a good second-place finish. We’ll take the points, get better, and move on to Detroit.” 

Justin Cooper – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #32
“I had three really bad starts last weekend in Glendale, so to have two really good starts is the biggest positive for me. I know I’m a good starter, so to get that back and do it twice tonight was important to me. It put me in a good position all night. I was third in the heat race, and I was able to get Chase (Sexton) on the last straight away to finish fourth in the main. So it was a good night for me because I charged to the end and stayed strong. We’ll keep working and keep building for Detroit.”

Eli Tomac – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing #3
“It was a tough day in Tampa. I caught my leg underneath the foot peg on a jump during qualifying, and sprained the top of my ankle and bruised my lower leg. I’m going to do everything possible to get back on the line in Detroit.”

SUZUKI RACERS RUMBLE THROUGH TAMPA SUPERCROSS

The Monster Energy AMA Supercross season started its eastern sweep with Round 5 in Tampa, Florida. A tight track with a troublesome sand lane created dramatic racing for the enthusiastic race fans inside Raymond James Stadium.

Ken Roczen (94) had impressive speed in Tampa but found himself on the bad side of the risk/reward proposition when slicing through a large group of lapped riders.

Ken Roczen (94) emerged from the first turn of the main with a fifth-place start. Roczen took over third place in the first two minutes of racing, then moved his Suzuki RM-Z450 cleanly into second place just five minutes into the race. At the race’s midpoint, battling for a podium position, Roczen was threading the needle between aggression and caution to work his way through the lapped riders. Just as broadcaster and former champion with Suzuki, Ricky Carmichael, announced, “Oh, man, these lappers are bad [congested],” Roczen came together with one in the sand section; the dramatic collision put Roczen on the ground and derailed his bike’s chain. Although Roczen was quick to re-mount, he was unable to continue the race. Even with the Tampa setback, Roczen sits just one point out of a top three spot in the point standings.

“It was an unfortunate situation that happened in the main event in Tampa,” said Roczen. “It’s a long season though, so we are going to put this behind us and focus on the next race in Detroit.”

Colt Nichols (45) transferred directly from his heat race into the main, but unfortunately was not able to turn his gate position into a strong start. Nichols went to work laying down fast lap times, and slowly climbed the leader board. He effort gave him a season-best finish as he builds momentum and speed in his first full season aboard his Suzuki race bike.

“Tampa was good for me,” reported Nichols. “I was under the weather all week, which made for a tough day, honestly. But I salvaged a P12 in the main, and I felt like I rode well when I needed to. We’re excited for Detroit.”

Kyle Chisholm (11) sat in a transfer position in his heat race but unfortunately for him both of his teammates were also in that heat, and Chisholm was not able to maintain the spot. He turned in his season-best LCQ result and as he sat on the line for the main, the broadcast team put their focus on the veteran rider who was looking at his final Supercross in Tampa as a full-time racer. When the gate dropped, Chisholm officially scored his 172nd race start. In front of his hometown crowed he advanced through the pack and netted his season-best result.

“I live about 25 minutes from the stadium, and it’s awesome to race in front of so many people that I know and share what we do on a weekly basis. I got to go out in opening ceremonies with my kids, and with my family there it was awesome,” said Chisholm. “But to the racing, I rode pretty good all day and felt comfortable. We’ve got the bike working really well and haven’t changed anything on it much the last few weeks. I got bumped on the start of the heat race and ripped a little hole in my rear brake line. So, I had no rear brake and then had a little tip over. In the LCQ I ripped a pretty good start and got up to second to put ‘er in the main. In the main, didn’t execute the first few laps the best that I should have, so I had to fight my way up from the back. I got up to 15th.”

“It would have been a great night,” reported Larry Brooks, Team Manager for the Twisted Tea/H.E.P. Motorsports/Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance Team. “We kind of struggled during the day, even struggled in the heat races, then we kind of got it together in the main event. But a lapped rider jumped on top of Ken Roczen and bent the rear sprocket. The AMA does not do anything to penalize the riders that are being lapped; they only give them a blue flag and let them kind of dictate what they want to do. And it hasn’t worked. It’s been this way for years and years and now we just got 18 points taken away from us because of a lapped rider and a DNF. It’s super disappointing. Ken Roczen was riding really good, and for him to have a rider jump on him – it’s just really disappointing. It is the sanctioning body’s job to take care of the lapped riders and all the officiating, and it just seems like we have not been taken care of. They are here to keep the riders safe, and I don’t think that happened tonight. It put our rider in danger, that’s for sure. But we’ll come back next week stronger and better. We still have a lot of racing left.”

The Supercross season now moves west for the Detroit Supercross at Ford Field on Saturday, February 15th. The event will be a daytime race, and the Suzuki racers and team members are ready and eager for whatever challenges lie ahead.

Please visit SuzukiCycles.com/Racing/Motocross and HEPMotorsports.com for more team news.

AUSTIN FORKNER MAKES TRIUMPH FACTORY RACING DEBUT

Triumph Factory Racing, riding a wave of momentum after a maiden 250SX victory in Arizona, tackled the fifth round of the 2025 AMA Supercross Championship in Tampa, Florida, on February 8. The race marked the start of the 250SX East division and Austin Forkner’s debut aboard the TF 250-X.

Forkner was, unfortunately, battling an illness that hindered his on-track performance, yet he persevered to score as many points as possible. Starting in the top 10, he moved forward in the first portion of the main event before a red flag prompted a restart.

A collision with another rider once the race resumed caused him to fall down the order and he was therefore classified in 17th at the chequered flag. Seeing as this was the first round of 250SX East, he occupies the same position in the championship standings.

Detroit’s Ford Field awaits Triumph Factory Racing now. The venue will host the sixth round of AMA Supercross and second 250SX East fixture. Austin Forkner will strive for redemption in the stadium that hosted his last win.

Austin Forkner

“I woke up this morning with some sort of sickness. Every single time I got on the track I was better, which is positive. I was in seventh in the main and satisfied. I made one little mistake in the sand, then someone ran it up the inside of me and took me out. It took me a minute to get up and I was pretty far behind, so I just focused on finishing. I would have been happy with a seventh or better, considering how the day went, but that is just the way that it goes.”

Jeremy Coker

“With Austin waking up sick, we started the day behind. Each time we hit the track was better and better. The track was tough, and a lot of riders struggled, so our goal was to make it through the night safe and that is what we did. Austin will build each week and get to the podium in due time.”

250SX East Results: 2025 AMA Supercross, Round Five – Tampa

1. Max Anstie (Yamaha)

2. Daxton Bennick (Yamaha)

3. Cameron McAdoo (Kawasaki)

4. Seth Hammaker (Kawasaki)

5. Tom Vialle (KTM)

17. Austin Forkner (Triumph)

250SX East Standings: 2025 AMA Supercross, Round Five – Tampa

1. Max Anstie (Yamaha) 25pts

2. Daxton Bennick (Yamaha) 22pts

3. Cameron McAdoo (Kawasaki) 20pts

4. Seth Hammaker (Kawasaki) 18pts

5. Tom Vialle (KTM) 17pts

17. Austin Forkner (Triumph) 5pts

Chance Hymas Earns Sixth Place at 250SX East Opener in Tampa

Honda HRC Progressive endured a challenging night at round 5 of AMA Supercross, in Tampa. The debut of 250SX East Region racing saw Chance Hymas return to action for his first race since undergoing ACL surgery last September, while Hunter Lawrence’s night was cut short after a crash in his heat race. Jett Lawrence was absent as he begins rehabilitation from surgery to repair the knee he injured last weekend in Arizona.

The evening took a difficult turn when Hunter suffered a heavy crash in his heat race, forcing him to miss the main event. He will undergo further evaluation to determine the extent of his injuries. While Hunter was sidelined, Honda was represented in the 450SX main event by Quad Lock Honda’s Joey Savatgy and Shane McElrath, who finished 10^th and 13^th, respectively.

Hymas enjoyed a solid start in the 250SX East main event and was running fourth early on, only for a red flag to come out at the 10-minute mark. Following the restart, Hymas found himself in sixth, where he ultimately finished—an encouraging result in his first race back. Fellow Red Rider Cullin Park also put in an impressive ride, running near the front for much of the race before securing a strong seventh-place result for Phoenix Racing Honda. Carson Mumford rode well to secure a 10^th-place result aboard his Quad Lock Honda CRF250R, and Henry Miller followed close behind in 11^th for Storm Lake Honda Buddy Brooks Racing.

NOTES

• Chance Hymas was featured in Friday’s press conference, which was followed by riding sessions.
• Xtreme Honda Powersports, a popular Tampa Powerhouse dealer, set up a pop-up activation booth in the Honda HRC Progressive pits, where they displayed a CRF110F and CRF450R, and engaged with fans and customers.
• Phoenix Racing Honda’s Dylan Ferrandis did not participate in Tampa, as his shoulder was sore from a midweek practice crash. He is expected to return to action next week.
• Hunter Lawrence secured fourth overall in 450SX qualifying, while Chance Hymas was 11th in 250SX East. Also of note were Quad Lock Honda Racing’s Joey Savatgy (seventh in 450SX) and Phoenix Racing Honda’s Cullin Park (ninth in 250SX East).
• In the 450SX heat 1, Valley Motorsport’s Jeremy Hand finished ninth, securing a spot in the main event. In Heat 2, Quad Lock Honda’s Shane McElrath and Joey Savatgy finished in fourth and sixth, respectively, earning their places in the main.
• Hymas secured a direct transfer to the 250SX East main event with a third-place finish in heat 2. Also qualifying through the heats were Quad Lock Honda’s Carson Mumford in sixth, Phoenix Honda Racing’s Cullin Park in seventh, and Storm Lake Honda Buddy Brooks Racing’s Henry Miller in eighth. In the LCQ, SPR’s Lance Kobusch took the win, with privateer Luke Neese finishing second and TiLube Honda’s Trevor Colip third, all advancing to the main event.
• Seven of the 22 riders to qualify for the 250SX East main event (32%) were Honda-mounted–two more than the next-closest manufacturer.
• Honda HRC Progressive Team Manager Lars Lindstrom was featured in an interview on Race Day Live.
• In a special moment captured by FLY Racing, Hymas was joined by retired Honda veteran Justin Brayton for a symbolic number exchange. Brayton, who previously raced with #10, passed the torch to Hymas, the newest rider to carry the number in AMA Supercross.
• Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Malcolm Stewart claimed his first-career 450SX main-event victory in Tampa. The Florida native previously won the 2016 AMA 250SX East Region Championship aboard a CRF250R, so this achievement is also special for the Honda family.
• Next up, Honda HRC Progressive heads to Detroit, Michigan, for round 6 of AMA Supercross. This event will not feature a FanFest or dealer activation.

R&G Is The Official Protection Partner Of MotoAmerica

MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is proud to announce that R&G, a world leader in crash protection for motorcycles, is now the Official Protection Partner for the 2025 MotoAmerica Championship.

It’s a deal: R&G Managing Director Simon Hughes shakes hands with MotoAmerica’s Director of Sponsorship Lance Bryson to announce that R&G is now the Official Protection Partner for the 2025 MotoAmerica Championship.

Based in Hampshire, England, R&G offers a wide range of motorcycle crash protection and styling accessories, including various types of crash sliders for the most vulnerable parts of the bike, engine case covers, Eazi-Grip tank grips, paddock stands, exhaust hangers, and ‘tail tidies.’ R&G essentially has everything to protect motorcycles in the event of a crash.

In total, R&G has developed designs for over 500 different motorcycles, going back over 30 years.

R&G also supports various teams in MotoAmerica, including Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki, Rahal Ducati Moto and Visit Indiana Nolan Lamkin Racing.

“With MotoAmerica fan engagement and event attendance growing significantly in recent years, this evolving partnership is an increasingly important part of growing R&G’s global presence,” said Simon Hughes, R&G’s Managing Director.

“MotoAmerica’s relationship with R&G has continued to grow over the past decade, and we’re thrilled with our newest sponsorship agreement, naming R&G our Official Protection Partner,” said MotoAmerica’s Director of Sponsorship Lance Bryson. “We’re excited for what’s ahead and can’t wait to kick off the 2025 racing season.”

Can-Am Factory Racer Kyle Chaney Earns Historic Win at the 2025 King of the Hammers

Can-Am, iconic brand of BRP Inc. (TSX: DOO) (NASDAQ: DOOO), made history at the 2025 King of the Hammers in Johnson Valley, California, as Kyle Chaney became the first driver to win the 4400 Unlimited class in a modified UTV. Chaney and his co-driver Terry Madden navigated the unforgiving terrain with precision and perseverance in their Can-Am Maverick R, crossing the finish line over 30 minutes ahead of their closest competitor. This win represents a milestone in Can-Am’s history, as the 4400 Unlimited class has historically been won only by custom-built trucks and buggies with high-horsepower engines.

“We are immensely proud of Kyle’s achievement and the effort our team put into this race,” said Jean-Francois Leclerc, BRP Race Manager. “King of the Hammers is unlike any other race with the mix of high-speed desert terrain and technical, rocky canyons. We knew it would be difficult, but we put some of our best racers in the pack to go for the win. To see the Maverick R prevail against vehicles from major automotive manufacturers with three times the horsepower is very gratifying to say the least.”

Widely considered the crown jewel of the King of the Hammers week of races, the 4400 Unlimited race consisted of three different laps, each presenting its own unique challenge to test the driver’s skills and the capabilities of their machines.

After qualifying fourth, Chaney started on the second row. He remained in the top six throughout the first lap before working his way into the lead on lap two. Lap three required immense navigational skill, as this portion of the course was not made public until the day before the race and the drivers could not pre-run it. Chaney’s co-driver Terry Madden kept them on track, playing a crucial role in their success. Proving the potential of the Maverick R platform, Chaney and Madden emerged victorious with a time of 7 hours, 53 minutes and 45 seconds.

“We drove our best and my crew put everything they had into this. I have to thank Can-Am and CT Race Worx for building this car for us to battle against all the top guys in the 4400 race. We picked some good lines and Terry was awesome with the navigation. The third lap was crazy, we had no idea where we were going. There were no trails, we just had to pick our lines as we went and stay close to the checkpoints. We did our best to take care of the car all day, but you know, it’s a Can-Am, it never quits!”

Kyle Chaney, Cody Miller and Hunter Miller were the only drivers to contest the 4400 Unlimited race in UTVs. Can-Am partnered with CT Race Worx to modify the Maverick R to meet the specifications of the 4400 Unlimited race. The vehicles maintained the powertrain and geometry of a stock Maverick R, except for the chassis adjustments needed to fit 37-inch tires. Cody and Hunter Miller also showed promising pace, with Cody running in second place until the late stages of the race. Unfortunately, both of their races were cut short due to technical issues.

In addition to Chaney’s success in the 4400 Unlimited race, Can-Am drivers swept the podium in the Pro Mod class of the UTV Hammers Championship race. Cody Miller secured the Pro Mod win and second overall, while Nathan Parker finished second in Pro Mod and third overall, and Paul Wolf rounded out the podium with third in Pro Mod. All three racers showcased the performance, reliability and toughness of the Can-Am Maverick R.

Can-Am Racers will be back in action at the 2025 San Felipe 250 on Saturday, April 5.

The King of Supercross Wins at the King of the Hammers

Dubbed the world’s toughest one-day off-road race, the King of the Hammers saw the UTV classes take to the course on Thursday with Jeremy McGrath piloting his Kawasaki Teryx KRX® 1000 to the Pro Stock NA UTV class win. The King of Supercross showed his meddle in the rocks as he took creative lines combined with the strength and capability of his Teryx® to conquer sections of the course where others had to winch and were experiencing mechanical failures, allowing him to ultimately pass 32 competitors on his over eight-hour race to the finish line. McGrath finished 19th overall after starting in 51st, competing against 128 competitors who started the race, including heavily modified UTV’s and finished second amongst the stock class UTV’s racing turbo-charged competitors despite driving a naturally aspirated car.

Chilly temperatures greeted the racers at the starting line as they took on the difficult course that includes flat-out desert sections as well as technical rock crawls. The two-lap race traverses through world famous obstacles like Chocolate Thunder, Jackhammer and Backdoor challenging the car and driver to make it to the finish line.

In a race where just getting to the finish line is a victory, McGrath relied on quick work from his pit crew to stay in the race and creative thinking from his co-driver Jaren Porter to find the best lines through the traffic-jammed rock sections. Overall McGrath finished in the top 20 and drove his MAXXIS-sponsored Teryx KRX® 1000 to the Pro Stock NA UTV class win in a time of 8:45:30. The King of Supercross finished less than 30 minutes behind the Pro Stock Turbo UTV class winner to earn second amongst all the Pro Stock racers.

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“It was a long day, we had a good time and man, it was an adventure, and my Kawasaki KRX held up nice all day. We had a great pitstop and Chris and the boys did a great job getting us back out after battling front lower arm issues. I don’t think we would have made the finish without them. We had to stop several times to tighten some things up, but it worked out great for us. My co-driver Jarren was great out there, using that Warn winch to pull and tow us up some pretty crazy lines. There people jammed up everywhere. Jackhammer was the worst; I think we were sitting there for an hour. We finally got through and we just kept on trucking. The course was super tough, they threw everything at us today. My Kawasaki was running great and my MAXXIS tries were hooked, helping climb all the rocks. It was great to see everyone cheering us on out on the course. I want to thank everyone for all the support we got this year, we couldn’t have done it without everyone pitching in”.

 – Jeremy McGrath

Indian Motorcycle Begins New Chapter for its Historic Wrecking Crew with 2025 MotoAmerica King of the Baggers Three Rider Lineup

 The Indian Motorcycle “Wrecking Crew” is one of the most iconic aspects of American motorcycle history, thanks to the dominance of the original Wrecking Crew in the 1950s and the modern flat track Wrecking Crew, led by Jared Mees, from 2017-2024. Now Indian Motorcycle is embarking on a new bagger-racing chapter in the Wrecking Crew story. Today, Indian Motorcycle announced the expansion of its Indian Motorcycle-S&S® Cycle factory team, adding French MotoGP® veteran Loris Baz to the lineup, joining 2024 King of the Baggers® Champion Troy Herfoss and two-time King of the Baggers® Champion Tyler O’Hara. Once again, the team will do battle aboard the Indian Challenger, powered by the unparalleled overhead-cam, liquid-cooled PowerPlus motor.

After another historic season in 2024, highlighted by the rapid emergence and dominance of Herfoss, the three-time Australian Superbike champion, Indian Motorcycle is putting even more emphasis and momentum behind its bagger-racing program for 2025, expanding the team and effectively creating the newest iteration of its historic Indian Motorcycle Wrecking Crew.

“The Wrecking Crew has long been a cornerstone of our brand, synonymous with the racing DNA that has been a part of our company since it was founded by two racers back in 1901, and we’re thrilled to continue that historic legacy with our factory team in the King of the Baggers series,” said Gary Gray, Vice President of Product Technology, Racing, and Service for Indian Motorcycle. “Loris Baz is a proven winner, with experience at the highest levels of global road racing, but with critical experience in MotoAmerica and the tracks we run throughout the season. He’s been impressive on the Indian Challenger in our early testing sessions, and we’re excited by the notion of now having three amazing riders aboard the Indian Challenger at every race this season as we collectively chase another championship.”

Armed with the ultimate performance bagger platform, the Indian Challenger, Indian Motorcycle is proving that there is indeed a replacement for displacement. Thanks to sophistication of the overhead cam, liquid-cooled PowerPlus 112 motor, Indian Motorcycle is the first brand to win three King of the Baggers championships, consistently outpacing bigger-bore competitive motors with larger displacement. Its contemporary design, a 60-degree V-Twin featuring four valves per cylinder, delivers high horsepower and high torque – optimizing acceleration across the entire rev range.

The 2025 Indian Motorcycle-S&S® Cycle factory team includes the following riders:

TROY HERFOSS, No. 1

Returning to defend his King of the Baggers crown is Indian Motorcycle-S&S® No. 1 rider Troy Herfoss. In his first year piloting the S&S® Indian Challenger, the three-time Australian Superbike champion podiumed all but three races in 2024, securing a class-leading seven wins, seven second-place finishes, and one third-place finish.

TYLER O’HARA, No. 29

Returning for his sixth season aboard the S&S® Indian Challenger is No. 29 Tyler O’Hara. A two-time King of the Baggers champion, O’Hara won the class’ inaugural race in 2020 and repeated as champion in 2022. O’Hara’s fearless approach and seasoned experience racing baggers makes him a fierce competitor in this year’s King of the Baggers field.

LORIS BAZ, No. 76

Rounding out the Indian Wrecking Crew is French road racer Loris Baz. Baz’s dynamic riding style and proven resume makes him a formidable force on the track. The Frenchman has competed in premier series such as MotoGP®, World Superbike, and most recently within MotoAmerica’s Superbike class. He’s earned a reputation as a versatile and skilled rider, known for his adaptability. Baz has achieved success across various racing disciplines, including his time in the European Superstock 1000 Championship, where he clinched the title in 2008. With his international pedigree and history of success, Baz is set to make a powerful impact in King of the Baggers.

“The King of the Baggers series has had my attention since it began, and to be a part of it as a member of the legendary Indian Motorcycle Wrecking Crew is truly an honor,” said Baz. “Racing Superbike, I’ve seen first-hand what Troy and Tyler have accomplished aboard the S&S® Indian Challenger, and I’m thrilled to be joining this championship team as we chase another title together in 2025.”

Adding to its factory efforts, Indian Motorcycle is supporting two satellite teams for 2025. Steve Delorenzi has enlisted Cameron Petersen to pilot the SDI Racing Indian Challenger, while Kyle Ohnsorg will compete on the TAB Performance Racing Indian Challenger.

For 2025, Indian Motorcycle is offering more than $80,000 and a brand-new 2025 Indian Challenger Dark Horse for its privateer contingency.

• Championship: $20,000 + 2025 Indian Challenger Dark Horse (MSRP: $28,499)
• 1^st: $3,000
• 2^nd: $1,000
• 3^rd: $500

Indian Motorcycle Racing welcomes S&S® as title sponsor and is presented by Progressive Insurance® and Mission® Foods, with additional support from  Parts Unlimited, Drag Specialties®, Performance Finance, and Min Hsiang.

The King of the Baggers season begins March 6 at the Daytona International Speedway. For more information on the 2025 King of the Baggers series, visit MotoAmerica.com.

For information about Indian Motorcycle, visit IndianMotorcycle.com, or follow along on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. 

Stew Baylor and Pirelli Take the Win at the Sumter National Enduro

Pirelli-supported riders and teams started the 2025 National Enduro Series season opener with a flurry of impressive performances, led by Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki’s Stew Baylor, who claimed the overall win in the Pro 1 class. Baylor, a top championship contender, demonstrated his skill and determination, securing the victory aboard his Kawasaki KX450. His teammate Josh Toth fought hard against Baylor for the win, finishing the day in second, a mere 32 seconds off the top step of the podium. In the Women’s Elite class, teammate Rachael Archer also earned a hard-fought second-place finish, solidifying a stellar weekend for the Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki team.

Additionally, Enduro Engineering Triumph off-road team rider Ricky Russell delivered an impressive performance, finishing just off the podium in fourth place. Russell demonstrated the speed and confidence to battle for a podium finish, setting a solid foundation for the season ahead.

“The opening round of the National Enduro Series was an incredible way to kick off the season with nearly 700 racers on the start line, and we’re excited to see the Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki and Enduro Engineering Triumph team deliver such strong performances,” said Josh Whitmire, Director of Sales, Pirelli Tires. “We’re proud to support these talented racers and team teams. We’re also happy to be able to offer these very same race-winning tires to all riders at each of the nine National Enduro rounds.”

Official Tire Sponsor of the National Enduro Series

In addition to supporting elite racing teams, Pirelli is proud to be the official tire sponsor of the National Enduro Series for the 2025 season. Pirelli tires will be available for purchase at all series rounds, ensuring that riders at all levels have access to the same championship-winning technology.

Aiming for Hometown Victory

Baylor and his teammates will shift their focus to the Grand National Cross Country(GNCC) series, which gets underway this weekend with the Big Buck GNCC in Union, South Carolina. This round also marks Baylor’s hometown GNCC, where he will compete alongside fellow Pirelli-supported racers Toth, Russell, and others.