On February 8, 2025, at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium, Malcolm Stewart of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing clinched his first-ever 450SX Main Event victory in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship. The 32-year-old Florida native delivered an exceptional performance in front of his home crowd, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Stewart’s day began with a strong showing, securing the third-fastest lap time during qualifying on the technical Tampa circuit. He carried this momentum into the night, finishing second in his heat race. In the Main Event, Stewart started mid-pack but showcased remarkable skill and determination. By the halfway point, he had advanced to second place, primarily due to his superior speed through the challenging whoop sections. With approximately three minutes remaining, Stewart pressured race leader Chase Sexton, who subsequently crashed in the whoops, allowing Stewart to take the lead and ultimately secure his inaugural premier class win.
Reflecting on his victory, Stewart expressed deep emotion, stating, “This has been an emotional rollercoaster to get here. 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!”
The Tampa round was also notable for several incidents among top competitors. Eli Tomac of Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing injured his left leg during qualifying but managed to participate in the Main Event, finishing 17th. Chase Sexton of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing led for most of the race until his late crash in the whoops, which damaged his front brake and throttle, resulting in a fifth-place finish. Despite these challenges, Sexton maintained his lead in the championship standings with 101 points. Cooper Webb’s second-place finish in Tampa elevated him to second in the standings with 96 points, while Jason Anderson’s consistent performance placed him third overall with 84 points.
Stewart’s landmark victory not only underscores his resilience and dedication but also adds a new chapter to the Supercross narrative, highlighting the unpredictable and thrilling nature of the sport.
