More from a press release issued by Honda HRC:

Hunter Lawrence scores his first AMA Supercross premier-class win in Arlington.

•  Australian’s debut victory extends his lead in the 450SX title chase 
• Jo Shimoda delivers inspiring second-place 250SX East result in return from injury 
• Team disputes race direction’s decisions regarding red-cross incidents in both classes

The Arlington, Texas, AMA Supercross round proved to be an incredible night of racing for Honda HRC Progressive, with emotional performances in both categories. After coming close on several occasions, Hunter Lawrence notched his career-first win in the 450SX class, while Jo Shimoda secured an impressive second-place result in the 250SX East opener—his first race back from a neck injury. 

Lawrence quickly recovered from a so-so jump out of the gate, positioning himself in third exiting turn 1. He took advantage of a lap-8 Cooper Webb mistake to move into second and soon joined Ken Roczen at the front. A three-way battle for the lead ensued, with the Australian demonstrating determination and composure as he dealt with the riders ahead and behind. Lawrence made the decisive move on Roczen at the five-minute mark and quickly established an advantage out front. That edge shrunk when the riders behind him jumped with a red-cross flag displayed, but Lawrence held firm until the checkered flag, earning the first premier-class win of his career. Quad Lock Honda’s Joey Savatgy secured seventh place, while his teammate Christian Craig crossed the line in ninth, marking his best result of the season. 

In the 250SX main event, Shimoda grabbed the holeshot aboard his CRF250RWE and led the field through the opening stages. At around one-third race distance, after seeing the red lights flashing (indicating a red-cross situation), he rolled a small double and the finish-line jump that followed it. Meanwhile, Pierce Brown jumped with the red light still illuminated, enabling him to pass Shimoda. Despite applying intense pressure on Brown for the remainder of the race, the Japanese rider was unable to reclaim the lead. Nonetheless, his performance underlined his status as a championship contender. Also notable was Phoenix Racing Honda’s Cullin Park, who finished a respectable ninth. 

At night’s end, Honda HRC Progressive personnel vigorously disputed the lack of penalties around the red-flag incidents in both classes. On Monday, the AMA released an official statement indicating that it has no plan to apply penalties. The team intends to escalate the issue and is currently reviewing all viable avenues.

NOTES 

• Local dealership Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda enhanced the fan experience in Honda HRC Progressive’s pit area with an interactive pop-up activation, showcasing a CRF450R and a CRF110F—the latter being featured in an exclusive giveaway. The dealership team connected directly with fans and customers throughout the event, strengthening local engagement. Giveaway results will be announced via Dallas Honda’s official Instagram and Facebook channels on Tuesday. The dealership is also a sponsor for Red Rider John Short IV, and staff members cheered him on during the evening program. 

• Jo Shimoda and team manager Lars Lindstrom represented Honda HRC Progressive during Friday’s official pre-event media activities, with Shimoda also taking advantage of valuable track time. The duo were joined by a strong group of Honda-affiliated riders during the Media Day activities, including Quad Lock Honda’s Christian Craig, Shane McElrath and Joey Savatgy, along with Phoenix Racing Honda riders Evan Ferry, Gavin Towers and Cullin Park. 

• Arlington served as a Military Appreciation round, and SKDA supplied Honda HRC Progressive with special bike graphics featuring TrueTimber’s white Viper Snow camo pattern, while TrueTimber outfitted riders and staff in coordinated apparel. Military veterans were invited to attend Media Day, with opportunities to meet the riders and engage directly with the team. 

• Swedish IndyCar driver Marcus Ericsson attended the Arlington round, with his Andretti Global Honda IndyCar displayed next to the Honda HRC Progressive team trucks, highlighting the brand’s racing presence across disciplines. Ericsson also appeared on Race Day Live for an interview.  

• On Saturday, Feld’s video crew captured exclusive opening-ceremony footage with Shimoda, and they conducted a pre-main-event interview with him as well. 

• Hunter Lawrence and Shimoda participated in a fan autograph session under the Honda HRC Progressive tent, engaging with their supporters. 

• Shimoda’s participation in the 250SX East opener caught many by surprise, as the reigning SMX 250 Champion had suffered a serious neck injury just under three months earlier. Following surgery, Shimoda embarked on an intensive recovery program, and he received the go-ahead to resume riding just a couple of weeks before Arlington. 

• As he refamiliarized himself with the racing environment, Shimoda placed 15th in 250SX East combined qualifying. Phoenix Racing Honda riders Cullin Park, Evan Ferry and Gavin Towers qualified eighth, 25th and 33rd, respectively. Jeremy Hand (Valley Motorsports) qualified in 16th, Ryder Floyd (Ti Lube Honda) in 21stand John Short IV (Short Racing) was 23rd, while Storm Lake Honda riders Luke Neese and Izaih Clark were 24th and 30th, respectively.  

• In 450SX overall qualifying, Lawrence placed ninth, followed by Quad Lock Honda riders Joey Savatgy, Christian Craig and Shane McElrath in 11th, 12th and 16th, respectively. Other Red Riders included Zack Williams (McGinley Clinic), who qualified in 32nd, and Ronnie Orres (Lasting Impressions), who was 35th. 

• Shimoda enjoyed exceptional starts in 250SX East heat racing, grabbing two holeshots (including once after a red flag), and his eventual second-place result transferred him to the main event. Park and Short advanced directly through their heat races, while Neese won the LCQ and Jeremy Hand secured third, moving both to the main event. 

• Lawrence dominated his 450SX heat race with a holeshot and wire-to-wire victory. Savatgy delivered a standout performance to finish second after battling Eli Tomac throughout the race. Craig (fifth) and McElrath (seventh) also transferred directly to the main event. 

• On his way to his first win, Lawrence set the fastest time in the 450SX main event—a first for the Australian. 

• Lawrence took the first 450SX win of his career in the same venue where he earned his first 250SX victory back in 2022. 

• With his first career 450SX victory, Lawrence joins an elite group of premier-class winners, and he also retains the championship points lead, extending his advantage over Tomac from one point to four. 

• The team now turns its focus to round 8 of AMA Supercross this Saturday in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Hunter Lawrence: “Tonight I got around the first turn, and that’s really important with how good the class is, because it’s hard to get a bad start and expect to battle your way through for a win. It’s tough to replicate racing, but we’ve been working hard on the bike and myself. My first half of the races have been getting better, for sure. Ken [Roczen] would make a little mistake, and I’d try to get him, but then he would have the inside for the next corner; I think the racing was really cool to watch and to be a part of, when the battle goes on for multiple laps. I was playing defense but still playing offense—it’s such a tricky spot to be in, but I really enjoy that and it feels good when you pull it off. On the last lap, I was just thinking, ‘Hit your marks, don’t do anything stupid, and get across the finish line.’ I feel like I’ve been doing the same thing every round this year and it’s been going well, so I keep the same approach. I don’t need to change a lot of stuff—I’ve been getting good starts and riding well in the main events, so just keep doing that.”

Jo Shimoda: “My night was good. I wanted to keep building my momentum from last year, so I’m just happy to be here. I get paid to race and do good, but at the same time, a neck injury is pretty sensitive. I got approved by the doctors two weeks ago to ride again, but you never know until you’re on the bike. I feel comfortable and strong enough, and I’ve been doing the right preparation to come back. I was pretty rusty all day long, but it ended up being a good night. I haven’t been doing a lot of testing, so each session we’ve been getting a little bit better. When the main event came around, I was like, ‘Let’s just make it stiff enough to where I can send it and shift the focus to get a good start, jump whoops, and do the things I can do.’ Once the race came around, I was really locked in. I did see a red light on the double, so I had to slow down and roll the jump. If the red light was still on for the other guys, I think it’s fair that the points are given to me—three points could matter at the end of the year. I did better than I expected, as far as the pace and finish position. It’s a really good way to start the season, but we still have a lot to work on, the bike and myself. I think we’re only going to get better from here, so I’m excited for the upcoming rounds!”

Lars Lindstrom – Team Manager: “This was a huge morale boost for the team, but it was another bittersweet night even though the result was fantastic. We couldn’t be prouder of both Hunter and Jo, and I want to congratulate Hunter on his first 450SX win. He rode unbelievable tonight and had to race the best of the best to take the win. Jo shouldn’t even be here, and for him to have that result is just incredible. I told him before the race, ‘Let’s just take what the night gives us, but don’t forget, you are a freak!’ The fact that he didn’t get more tired after almost no prep is just mind-blowing. The bittersweet part is being on the short end of the stick when it comes to other riders jumping on red flashing lights and red-cross flags. In the past, we’ve been penalized more than any other team for this—some deserved, some we didn’t agree with at all. In this case, it was clear to us that there were penalties necessary, which should have given us the win in 250s, and dramatically increased our 450 points lead. The team, Honda management, and I are absolutely infuriated that there wasn’t more done in this situation after what has happened to us in the past for the same things. I am very disappointed with this decision, and we will be fighting hard to have it overturned.”

More from a press release issued by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing:

Arlington 450SX podium for Eli Tomac and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing.

Eli Tomac and the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team claimed a well-earned second-place finish at Arlington’s seventh round of the 2026 AMA Supercross Championship, recording his fifth podium of the season tonight in Texas.

Equipped with the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION – complete with a special livery for Military Appreciation Round – Tomac topped the premier class qualifying for the third time in 2026, posting a benchmark 47.688s lap during the second afternoon session at AT&T Stadium.

Momentum continued for the 33-year-old with third-place in the opening 450SX Heat Race, as he showed consistent pace and gained a solid gate selection for the upcoming Main Event.

Despite a difficult initial launch out of the gate, Tomac quickly recovered on the opening laps with a series of decisive passes, as the two-time 450SX Champion charged into fourth position during the race’s early stages.

From there, an intense, race-long battle unfolded, with Tomac advancing into second during the closing laps of the Main Event. Mounting a late charge, he continued to apply pressure at the front, ultimately finishing in P2 at Round 7.

As the 2026 AMA Supercross Championship approaches its halfway point, Tomac sits just four points from the 450SX series lead, with the SMX World Championship season continuing at the annual Daytona Supercross next weekend.

Eli Tomac: “Those first laps absolutely saved my race. I had to make some quick moves there and was able to find those openings to pass two-to-three riders at a time. By lap two or three, I could see the front of the race and thought, ‘I’m okay, I can work with this.’ What a difficult track [it was] tonight. Of course, I fought to the end as much as I could and second is what we had. Thank you to Red Bull KTM – we’ll come back swinging in Daytona.”

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450SX teammate Aaron Plessinger made a positive start to the night aboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, claiming fifth place in his Heat Race to comfortably earn a direct transfer into the Main Event.

Plessinger faced an intense opening few laps in fighting for early track position, as the 30-year-old battled inside the top-10 throughout Arlington’s entire Main Event. ‘The Cowboy’ eventually scored an eighth-place finish for the weekend.

With the series moving to Daytona next weekend, ‘The Cowboy’ will turn his attention to the historic Florida speedway, where he landed on the podium – his first of the 2025 season – one year ago.

Aaron Plessinger: “Dallas was better. I think we made some pretty good progress with the bike, but ultimately, I just need to be better. I need to put myself in better positions, and just overall, be better myself. The Heat Race, I got an average start and rode my way to fifth, and then for the Main, I went all the way inside gate, so got a better start. I was running good and then [Jason] Anderson ended up going down in front of me, so that put me back a little bit. And then I had a decent flow going there, but I ended up casing a jump pretty good and kind of ruined my momentum that I had going.
I ended up eighth, but overall, it just needed to be better. We go to Daytona next week, so I am looking forward to that and, yeah, I’ve just got to focus on being better on race day.”

Four-time world champion Jorge Prado was sidelined for Round 7 after his incident during Seattle’s second qualifying session, with the 25-year-old prioritizing recovery on his right shoulder by taking a week off the bike at this time.

Next Race: February 28 – Daytona, Florida

More from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha: 

Cooper Webb’s Podium Streak Continues in Arlington.

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb finishes third, with teammate Justin Cooper scoring a top-five result in tricky conditions at Arlington Supercross.

The battle for the Monster Energy AMA Supercross premier class crown waged on in Arlington, Texas, with Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb once again putting in a good fight for his number-one plate. On a gnarly, deteriorating track inside AT&T Stadium, Webb delivered his fourth consecutive podium in a race that featured all four championship contenders locked in an intense battle.

“It was a sick race, I’m sure, with all four of us bunched up there,” Webb said. “I saw a few openings I probably should’ve taken earlier in the race. I was too patient tonight, but we’ll take it. I had another great start, and I rode well. The track was pretty crazy; it broke down really gnarly. The win was there, but we didn’t get it. Overall, we’ll take another podium.”

Round 7 also served as the Military Appreciation Race, a special night honoring those who have served and continue to serve in the United States Armed Forces. Webb sported a special livery for the race and for the opening ceremonies, adding another meaningful layer to the weekend.

“The military appreciation race is always a fun weekend,” Webb said. “We had a sweet kit for the opening ceremonies, and seeing all the military here, that was awesome.”

Webb has historically been strong at the Dallas Cowboys’ home turf, entering the weekend with seven wins in 11 tries. However, the opening qualifying session in tricky conditions didn’t go as planned for either Webb or teammate Justin Cooper, but the team rebounded for the second session.

“The first qualifying session didn’t go as planned,” said Rich Simmons, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s 450 Team Manager.  “So we made a few adjustments, and different line choices with the guys, and improved our qualifying. In the heat races, we didn’t get good starts, which we knew we needed to improve for the main event, and both guys did that.”

Webb qualified third and finished fourth in his heat race, coming just shy of a top-three result. In the main event, however, he nailed the start and grabbed the holeshot. Ken Roczen moved past early, but Webb stayed within striking distance as the race evolved into a four-rider showdown. With roughly 14 minutes remaining, the intensity ramped up.

“In the main event, I got a good start and was behind Kenny (Roczen) for a bit,” Webb explained. “I made a mistake, and Hunter (Lawrence) got me. It was pretty much follow-the-leader, and we were waiting for a mistake. I ended up getting by Kenny, and by doing so, Eli (Tomac) got underneath me and put me off the track. So then I lost a position to him, and then to Kenny. That was a little bit of a bummer, just trying to get by him, and by the time I got around him, Hunter and Eli kind of had a gap on me. I put my head down, but just couldn’t make it happen. We’ll come back swinging next weekend and try to do some damage at Daytona.”

Webb’s fourth-consecutive podium scored valuable points in the 450SX Championship, putting him 16 points from the leader and third in the standings as the series moves closer to its midpoint.

On the other side of the tent, Justin Cooper continued to show progress despite a challenging start to the weekend. The New Yorker qualified sixth and finished there in his heat race. In the main event, he started 10th but quickly worked his way forward to fifth by Lap 2, holding the position to the checkered flag.

“I struggled all day, but put together a good result in the main,” Cooper said. “I was kind of right behind the top four. I was a few seconds behind them, and it was good to see the leaders the whole race, but I just couldn’t get in that battle. I just needed a little bit more speed tonight. Otherwise, I rode really well, and I limited my mistakes. I feel like it was a good night, and we’ll move on to Daytona.”

“Overall, it was a good day,” Simmons added. “Coop had a hard-fought race; just a few mistakes kind of cost him a win, or at least a second place tonight. Justin had a good recovery, finishing fifth after a tough heat race. He’s improving and being more consistent on his starts, as is Webb, and that’s the name of the game right now – a good start. Obviously, we want to get the win and both guys on the podium, but we’re making progress. We’ll take that and keep moving forward.”

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing now turns its focus to one of the sport’s most iconic stops—Daytona Supercross. Round 8 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the Monster Energy SMX World Championship takes place next weekend at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, on February 28.

Pierce Brown Scores Emotional 250SX Victory in Arlington.

Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Pierce Brown earns an epic comeback win at the 250SX East opener, capturing his first career victory in the class.

There’s no better way to illustrate the highs and lows of racing than the year Pierce Brown has endured. From a devastating crash while leading the 2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX East season opener in Tampa that sidelined him for nearly the entire season, to standing atop the podium Saturday night at AT&T Stadium — the journey came full circle at Arlington Supercross.

“A lot, that’s for sure,” Brown said about the emotions he was feeling. “There were so many nights that I didn’t think this would be possible. Missing a year, especially with the injury I had… It’s a scary thing to come back from, and there were a lot of doubts. I’m just thankful that I never stopped fighting. Every day we put our best foot forward. Wow, I don’t even know where to start. This is amazing.”

Brown started the day off as the fastest qualifier, but then had a lackluster heat race, finding himself ninth early before charging back to fourth. The Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider reset for the main event, and when the gate dropped, he delivered. A strong start put him in the runner-up spot early, and by Lap 6, he had made his move into the lead. From there, Brown controlled the race to secure his first Monster Energy AMA Supercross victory and his first win with the team.

“I qualified first and then had a subpar heat race and ended up fourth, so we just had to shake some things out for the main,” Brown said. “I had a really good start in the main, and ended up getting by Jo (Shimoda) and then just rode it on to the win. A first supercross win for me, and with the team, it feels really good.”

It was a rollercoaster day for the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing team as a whole. The four-rider East Coast squad had pretty much picked up where they left off in the Western Divisional 250 class – dominating the competition. Then it all sort of went pear-shaped with three of the four-rider squad on the ground in the first turn of the main event.

At the center of that chaos was Cole Davies, who responded with an impressive charge back through the field. In just his second season of Monster Energy AMA Supercross, the 18-year-old showed top form all day, qualifying just shy of the top spot and winning his heat race in commanding fashion after moving into the lead early. Finding himself on the ground after the start of the main event, he made an impressive charge to eighth in the first half of the race, and then threw down some fast laps to make his way through fifth.

“The season opener is done and dusted,” said Davies. “The day went to plan. I felt comfortable in both qualifying sessions and got the Heat Race win. Unfortunately, with a crash in the first turn, I had my work cut out for me, but I’m proud of how we fought back to fifth. The bike felt solid all day, especially through the whoops where we made most of our passes. We had the speed to win, now we just need to execute. A big thanks to the team for giving me the tools to battle up front. Now onto Daytona.”

Nate Thrasher also showed resilience. He qualified 10th and didn’t get a great start to his heat race, but charged his way through to the runner-up spot, and rode on to finish there comfortably. Unfortunately, he was collected in the first-turn crash and found himself at the back of the field. From there, he did what he could to salvage some points, coming back from last to finish 11th.

“Round one is done,” said Thrasher. “I felt really good in the heat race, but the main was not my best. I have to get off the gate better and not put myself in that position. The bike was bent up after the crash, but we tried our best. It’s not over. We have a lot of racing to go. I have to come out next weekend with one mindset.”

Making his professional debut in Arlington was 16-year-old Caden Dudney. The Texan impressed early, finishing near the top of the combined qualifying times and grabbing the holeshot in his heat race before finishing fourth. In the main event, he was caught behind the first-turn chaos and fought back from 19th to 13th.

“Arlington was good to me, even though the main wasn’t exactly what I wanted,” said Dudney. “I can’t put myself in that position off the start again, but it’s a big learning curve, and there were a lot of positives to take away from it. My riding was great all day long. I had fun, and I’m ready to do it again next weekend.”

“It was an awesome opener for the team,” said Wil Hahn, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s 250 Team General Manager. “PB (Pierce Brown) getting redemption for last year, after 12 months off, was amazing. Cole rode his butt off to get back to the top five after the first-turn crash. Nate and Caden were down for a long time in the first turn and salvaged the best result they could. We’re looking forward to Daytona.”

Next weekend, the team heads to Daytona Beach, Florida, for Round 2 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX East Championship at the legendary Daytona International Speedway on February 28.

More from a press release issued by Suzuki Motor USA:

Suzuki Riders Achieve Season High Points at Round Seven of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship.

The red Texas dirt inside AT&T Stadium required a fine balance between precision and aggression at Round 7 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season; the event also paid points toward the SMX World Championship. The riders faced deep ruts and a slick whoop section that broke down dramatically throughout the racing. The domed stadium hosted the Military Appreciation Race with military veterans in attendance and bike and gear graphics honoring the service members.

Race Highlights:

• Progressive Insurance Cycle Gear ECSTAR Suzuki
  • 450 Class
    • Ken Roczen earned his fourth heat race win of the season and led the majority of laps in the main event. 
• Twisted Tea Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance
  • 450 Class
    • Jason Anderson showed season-best speed in qualifying and in his heat race.
    • Colt Nichols grabbed the win in the Arlington LCQ.

Ken Roczen (94) was feeling under the weather coming into Arlington, but his speed didn’t initially seem affected. Roczen carded the second-fastest time in the second qualifying session which held for the second-fastest overall qualifying spot. He carried that track speed into his heat race where Roczen holeshot and led every lap despite challenges from his teammate Jason Anderson. When the gate dropped for the main event, Roczen and his Suzuki RM-Z450 rocketed around the first turn and emerged in second place at the holeshot stripe. After an intense battle through the first few sections, Roczen took sole control of the lead, set the race’s fastest time through the challenging whoops section (Sector 7), and set his sights on a second win in 2026. Roczen defended against several challenges and retained control of the race from the green flag through the 17th of 26 total laps. When the dust settled in Texas, Roczen had demonstrated again that he is a top contender for the 2026 Supercross title. 

“We ended up tonight with a fourth place. Nonetheless, I feel like we were riding really good all day,” said Roczen. “The track was super tricky; we had some big jumps and sketchy whoops. This dirt is always extremely unique as it is super slippery; it looks perfect, but it’s not. Having said that, I progressively got a little worse [throughout the main event]. I got a little sick at the beginning of the week. I tried to keep it at bay, but as we got closer to the race it had definitely gotten worse. My lungs were absolutely closed, so I’m super pumped with the effort that I put in. We executed the start, so overall I tried to be a roadblock as long as I could, and we ended up with a fourth. So, it could have been a lot worse, and it is what it is. We still have a lot of racing to go, everything can swing around again, so as long as we keep the effort level up I think we’re fine.”

Jason Anderson (21) wasted no time getting up to speed inside AT&T Stadium. Anderson posted top-five results in each qualifying session and in the overall qualifying standings. In his heat race, Anderson crossed the holeshot stripe in third and immediately put his RM-Z450 into second place with sights set on the race leader, his Suzuki teammate Ken Roczen. The two Suzuki riders kept the racing clean and brought home 1-2 finishes in the heat. When the gate dropped for the main, Anderson emerged from the first corner in sixth place. He quickly moved into the top five until a crash on lap two put him outside of the points. Anderson put in a drive; he gained ten positions in as many laps and set the race’s fastest time through the first rhythm section (Sector 3). Anderson was charging toward a top-ten spot when another crashed ended his night early. 

“My weekend was better as far as my riding,” Anderson stated. “[But] it was a little bummer in the main. I got tangled up, and fell by myself, and didn’t end up very well. But my riding was better and hopefully we’ll keep [this trajectory].”

Colt Nichols (45), in what amounts to a hometown race for the Oklahoma-born racer, was fast in Texas. While running in a qualifying spot in his heat race, Nichols had a crash in the whoops section that forced him into the LCQ. A poor start in the LCQ added stress to the night, but Nichols confidently marched toward the front and took the win at the checkered flag. In the main event Nichols emerged from the first corner with a mid-pack position and battled as the track’s ruts deepened. Nichols set the second-fastest time through the second rhythm section (Sector 5) on a strong ride, but a crash slowed his progress forward. 

“It was tough today, to be honest. I crashed the heat and had to go to the LCQ,” said Nichols. “In the main event I started decently from the far outside but got squished going into the first rhythm, so I was pretty far back. Then I started to ride really well. I got up to 11th, and then hit neutral coming into the whoops and had another crash… But we’re making some progress. I just need to stay off the ground and get off the start a little bit better and we’ll be okay. I’m excited for Daytona next weekend. We’ll give it another shot.” 

“We had a decent night in Arlington. I was very happy with our heat race, going 1-2,” stated Dustin Pipes, Principal for the Twisted Tea/H.E.P. Motorsports/Suzuki presented by Progressive Insurance team. “The main started well with Ken and Jason both in the top five. Unfortunately, a couple falls for Jason resulted in a DNF, and with a sickness holding him back, Ken fought hard for a fourth-place result. Colt was 14th with a fall while he was charging towards the top 10. The riding was strong, and the results don’t show the full picture. We will regroup for Daytona.” 

On Saturday, February 28th, the Daytona Supercross will challenge the racers with its high-speed Supercross track carved into the famous Daytona International Speedway trioval. Ken Roczen is the defending Daytona champ after an inspiring win at the 2025 race. All of the Suzuki riders and team members are ready for the Daytona Supercross, and the events that follow, on their drive toward race wins and championships in 2026.  

For the latest team updates, news, and race insights, visit SuzukiCycles.com/Racing/Motocross or pipesmotorsportsgroup.com.

More from a press release issued by Monster Energy Kawasaki: 

Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki riders deliver strong results for opening round of eastern divisional 250SX class.

Monster Energy® Pro Circuit Kawasaki riders Seth Hammaker and Drew Adams delivered strong performances in the opening round of the Eastern Divisional 250SX Class at Round 7 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship in Arlington, Texas, finishing fourth and sixth in the 250SX Main Event. In the premier class, Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Chase Sexton battled through the field to secure sixth place, while Garrett Marchbanks showed strong speed throughout the day before an unfortunate mid-race crash ended his night early.

Arlington provided a powerful backdrop for Round 7, as AT&T Stadium hosted the series’ annual Military Appreciation Race. Patriotic tributes filled the weekend, creating an electric atmosphere as riders competed under specially curated themed graphics from D’COR Visuals and Throttle Syndicate, honoring those who serve. With the Eastern Divisional 250SMX Class Championship officially underway, the energy inside the stadium remained high from opening ceremonies through the final checkered flag.

In 250SX qualifying, Hammaker and Adams immediately established themselves among the front-runners in the competition. Hammaker delivered an impressive performance in the second session aboard his KX™250, setting the fastest lap of the session and showcasing elite pace on the technical Arlington layout, earning third overall. Adams remained consistently strong across both sessions to secure a solid sixth overall.

In 250 Heat 1, Adams faced a challenging start from mid-pack, but he remained composed and methodical, steadily working his way forward through traffic. With clean lines and consistent lap times, the No. 35 Kawasaki climbed to sixth by the checkered flag to transfer directly into the main event. Heat 2 featured early drama, with a red flag immediately after the start forcing a complete restart. When the gate dropped again, Hammaker launched into second and quickly made his move, executing a decisive pass for the lead on the opening lap. From there, he immediately gapped the field and controlled the race from the front. The No. 10 Kawasaki took the heat race victory with over a six-second lead.

In the 250 Main Event, Hammaker powered off the line, avoiding a large first-turn crash as the riders near him made bar-to-bar contact. The No. 10 kept his line and stayed strong as he rounded the corner in the Top 10. Hammaker quickly moved to the front and settled into an intense battle inside the Top 5. The racing remained tight throughout the event, with positions changing rapidly across the demanding track. Hammaker maintained a strong pace, posting the fastest lap of the race aboard his KX™250 to finish fourth. Adams delivered one of the standout rides of the night, charging from 11th through the field. With aggressive but calculated passes, he continued pushing forward and secured sixth with a late race move. Following the opening round of the Eastern Divisional 250SMX Championship, Hammaker sits fourth in points, while Adams holds sixth as both riders establish themselves early in the title fight.

Seth Hammaker: “It felt awesome to finally get back to racing, coming back from my injury. I was really happy with my speed all day, and winning the heat race was a big steppingstone into the season. The main event was a little chaotic with my start and bumping into another rider, which made me struggle with finding a good flow, but I stayed up front in the Top 5 and kept fighting. We’ve got a really good base to build from, and I’m excited to keep this momentum going into Daytona.

Drew Adams: “It was a pretty good day all around. My goal at the end of the night was just to get better every time I was on the track. It’s hard to make passes with the dirt conditions being so fresh, and I had to work my way through a lot of riders, but I stayed patient and focused on my goal. I’ve got a few things to work on this week, but I’m looking forward to coming back strong for the team in Daytona.” 

In 450SX qualifying, Sexton showed early speed aboard his KX™450SR, finishing second in the opening session before ending fifth overall. Marchbanks looked comfortable and confident on the demanding layout, showing strong rhythm and control throughout the first session to secure fifth, before finishing 13th overall.

In Heat 2, both Sexton and Marchbanks started near the front of the pack and quickly settled into competitive positions. Marchbanks rode a composed and steady race just outside the Top 5, while Sexton worked forward through traffic with calculated passes. The teammates briefly battled positions late in the race before Sexton secured sixth and Marchbanks seventh, both transferring directly to the main event.

In the 450 Main Event, both riders faced difficult starts that placed them deep in the field. Sexton came together twice with the series contender Eli Tomac down the start straight to round the first turn at the back of the field. Undeterred, the No. 4 immediately went to work, steadily advancing through traffic with a strong pace and precision. He climbed into sixth passing 13 riders and maintained consistent speed through the closing laps to secure the position. Marchbanks was also making impressive forward progress, charging into the Top 10 before an unfortunate crash in the whoops ended his night early after an otherwise strong performance throughout the day. Following Arlington, Sexton and Marchbanks both maintain their points standings as the season continues to build momentum heading into Daytona.

Chase Sexton: “I felt more comfortable going into this weekend, and the bike was working great with the adjustments the team has made. My start in the main event made things tough, but I focused on making smart passes and being consistent. I’ve still got a way to go to prove myself, but the team and I are heading in the right direction.”

Garrett Marchbanks: “This was a frustrating race for me, because I felt really good all day and had a great start to the morning. I came out seventh in Heat 2 and felt comfortable and confident on the bike. I was making progress in the main event, and then I crashed in the whoops and decided to be safe and pull off, ending my night early. It’s disappointing, but I know where my pace is, and I’m focused on coming back ready for Daytona.”

More from a press release issued by Red Bull Ducati Factory Team:

Fight and Determination on Display for Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing Team.

The Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing Team returned to action Saturday night for Round 7 of the 2026 AMA Supercross Championship season at the iconic AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Military Appreciation event paid tribute to the brave men and women who have dedicated and sacrificed their lives to protect our freedom, as fans filled the stadium to witness another competitive night of racing on the Texas red dirt.

Dylan delivered one of his strongest qualifying performances of the season, posting a 49.300 in the first session to place ninth before improving to a 48.348 in Qualifying #2. His improved time secured eighth overall in combined qualifying, earning a favorable gate selection for the evening program and continuing a positive trend of stronger starts.

In the heat race, Dylan capitalized on his gate pick with an excellent launch, completing the opening lap in fourth position. He quickly advanced into third and maintained the spot for five laps, showcasing competitive speed and consistency. A late pass dropped him to fourth at the checkered flag, but the ride positioned him well heading into the main event.

The main event began with another strong start, as Dylan crossed the holeshot line in fifth on the opening lap, however early race congestion shuffled him back to 10^th on lap 1, but he worked his way forward, advancing to eighth by lap three and seventh by lap six. With momentum building and lap times remaining competitive, he appeared poised to continue his charge through the field.

On lap eight, however, Dylan tucked the front end in a turn following the quad section and went down, remounting in 14th position. Despite the setback and the physically demanding track conditions, particularly in the challenging whoop sections, he refused to relent. Pushing through the closing laps, Dylan fought his way back into the top 10, reclaiming four positions to secure a 10^th place finish.

“Today went better in qualifying… I qualified better,” said Dylan. “I knew it would be a difficult main event because the track was really challenging and rough. I was fighting for positions and just had a crash after the quad in the turn early on in the race so it cost me a lot. After the crash I gave it everything I had, but I was struggling a lot physically today and fighting the bike after the crash. I came into today a lot better but didn’t transform that into good main event so that was disappointing. But we are giving it everything we have, myself and everyone on the team so we look to next weekend in Daytona.”

While the final result did not fully reflect the pace shown throughout the day, the team continues to build momentum with improved qualifying efforts and more consistent start. The Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing Team now turns its focus to the next round of the 2026 AMA Supercross Championship in Daytona, aiming to convert positive trends into podium-contending results.

More from a press release issued by Rockstar Energy Husqvarna:

450SX teammate Malcolm Stewart displays front-running pace in Round 7 at Arlington.