Release from 01.02.2026
Malcolm Stewart, RJ Hampshire and Ryder DiFrancesco keep pushing forward
On the high-speed and technically challenging layout within NRG Stadium, Stewart continued his return to form while recovering from a fractured scapula, qualifying 10th fastest aboard his Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition during the afternoon sessions.
The 33-year-old followed with a consistent eighth-place finish in the opening final, improved to sixth in Race 2 on a deteriorating circuit, and crossed the line 10th in the final outing to secure P8 on the night. The result shows encouraging signs of progress for Stewart, who is racing back into form during the early stages of the 2026 SMX World Championship series.
“Houston was trending in the right direction for me!” said Stewart. “I felt pretty good through all three races tonight. We've just been making sure to do all of the right things regarding recovery, and I have been working with Dr. G all week. I'm starting to feel a lot better and getting closer to feeling normal, so this is a very positive night. I know on paper it doesn't look that good, but under the circumstances from Anaheim 1, this is a big win for us. So, all we need to do is keep moving forward, keep putting in the work, and I know I can get back up to where I need to be. Glendale is always a fun one and one of my favorites, so I am looking forward to that race next week."
Also onboard the Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition, full-time 450SX newcomer RJ Hampshire raced to 10th in Race 1, before a late fall in Race 2 saw him credited P14. In the third and final race, the 30-year-old posted a ninth-place result in the ultra-competitive premier class field, earning 11th position overall for the round.
“Houston was a long day for me,” reflected Hampshire. “I didn't qualify well – even though I felt good on the bike – and then my first race was decent after riding strong the whole time. Second one, I had a decent start inside the top 10 and then ended up going down pretty late in it, which dropped me back a few spots. Last race, I had a pretty good start again, but it was just decent, nothing overly special tonight. I still feel like there was progress made from our time on the bike, so we'll head back home this week and come out swinging in Arizona."
DiFrancesco began the day in positive fashion at the first Triple Crown of the year, qualifying third on 250SX combined times and finding competitive pace early with his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition ahead of the night’s rapid, three-race program.
The 20-year-old showed speed in the opening Western Divisional race after starting outside the top 10, climbing to sixth before advancing to P5 in Race 2, and setting himself up well for the third and final race in Texas this weekend.
An additional fifth-place result capped off a consistent night for the impressive young Californian, who earned P5 overall and now sits fourth in the 250SX West standings, just two points outside of second position.
“Houston Triple Crown was good for me,” commented DiFrancesco. “I started off the day with good speed in qualifying, and then the first race didn't begin very well with a bad start. The track was tough tonight – it was super-technical and fast, and you needed to concentrate a lot on hitting your marks every lap. There weren't a lot of passing opportunities, so where you started made it tough to move forward. We need to clean a couple of things up, be a little more consistent with my laps, but I'm super-stoked to get to Glendale and Seattle because those have been two of my better rounds!"
Next Race: February 7 – Glendale, Arizona
Results 450SX Class – Houston
1. Cooper Webb (Yamaha)
2. Hunter Lawrence (Honda)
3. Ken Roczen (Suzuki)
4. Eli Tomac (KTM)
7. Jorge Prado (KTM)
8. Malcolm Stewart (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)
11. RJ Hampshire (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)
13. Aaron Plessinger (KTM)
17. Justin Hill (KTM)
Standings 450SX Class 2026 after 4 of 17 rounds
1. Eli Tomac, 88 points
2. Hunter Lawrence, 84
3. Ken Roczen, 76
8. Jorge Prado, 56
11. RJ Hampshire, 38
13. Aaron Plessinger, 36
14. Malcolm Stewart, 36
16. Justin Hill, 28
Results 250SX Class – Houston
1. Haiden Deegan (Yamaha)
2. Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki)
3. Cameron McAdoo (Kawasaki)
5. Ryder DiFrancesco (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)
Standings 250SX Class 2026 after 4 of 10 rounds
1. Haiden Deegan 93 points
2. Max Anstie, 74
3. Michael Mosiman, 73
4. Ryder DiFrancesco, 72