Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Ryder DiFrancesco has claimed a hard-fought second-place finish in the 2026 250SMX World Championship standings, concluding a breakout season at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena in Missouri.
Entering the final round just three points out of the points lead, DiFrancesco recorded the fourth-fastest qualifying time, setting the 21-year-old up well for the two upcoming motos where triple points were on offer.
Beginning Moto 1 in seventh, DiFrancesco and his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition delivered a spirited ride across the 17-lap outing, climbing to third by race’s end and carrying a strong result into Moto 2, which would ultimately decide the championship.
Starting outside the top-15 in race two, the Californian had his work cut out for him as rain began to fall, powering his way as high as ninth before finishing 10th and securing second overall in the 250SMX standings.
DiFrancesco experienced a breakout season with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing in 2026, capturing fourth overall in the 250SX Western Divisional Championship and fifth in the 250MX standings – results that were highlighted by multiple podium appearances.
Tonight’s 250SMX World Championship result for DiFrancesco marks a fitting end for the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing organization, with the long-standing team formally concluding its SuperMotocross World Championship program on the series podium together for one final occasion.
“[The title] was at my fingertips there, but I didn’t execute the start very well,” commented DiFrancesco. “I left it all out there and I am satisfied with how this championship went – I felt like I rode really well and gave myself a title shot. I went from barely making top-fives to eight podiums this year, so there’s a lot to be happy about. Thanks to everybody who helped to make it happen this season!”
Fellow 250SMX front-runner Daxton Bennick was 10th-fastest on the combined timesheets in Missouri before charging to a 10th-place finish in Moto 1. He improved to sixth in race two amid tricky conditions, posting seventh overall in the 250SMX standings after a solid 2026.
Bennick’s season was highlighted by third in the 250SX East standings – which included two podium results along the way – alongside a moto win and second-place finish overall in the mud at SMX Playoff 1 in Columbus, Ohio.
“We have had a lot of positives this year,” Bennick recalled. “Tonight didn’t go to plan, but we did improve in the second moto and it was a solid end to the season. I’m grateful for the opportunity and everybody around me.”
In the premier 450SMX category, RJ Hampshire – the team’s 2024 250SX West Champion – recorded the fifth-fastest qualifying time, backing it up with a consistent sixth-place finish in Moto 1 aboard his Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition. He repeated the result in Moto 2 to claim sixth overall for the round and seventh in the series.
“We’ve had a lot of good times with this team over the years – they’ve been like family to me,” Hampshire said. “This weekend was an awesome way to finish the playoffs, a real SMX track, and it was a consistent night of results on my end. Thank you to everybody who has been behind us at Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, there are a lot of memories we have made together as a team, and I’m thankful for the years together.”
Also equipped with the Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition, Malcolm Stewart qualified eighth and showed competitive pace in Moto 1, posting a measured eighth-place result. The likeable Floridian followed that with 14th in race two, securing ninth overall for both the round and in the 450SMX post-season standings.
“Ninth overall for the weekend and the series,” explained Stewart. “It was a lot of fun, the track here at Thunder Ridge, and the whole place is super-cool – to have the SMX Final at this location is something we will remember for a long time to come! We’ve had our ups and some downs this season, but overall, I’m really happy with my time with this team and I’m proud of the success we have shared along the way.”
Results 450SMX Class – SMX Final
1. Haiden Deegan (Yamaha)
2. Jorge Prado (KTM)
3. Hunter Lawrence (Honda)
6. RJ Hampshire (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)
9. Malcolm Stewart (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)
10. Aaron Plessinger (KTM)
12. Eli Tomac (KTM)
Standings 450SMX Class 2026
1. Jorge Prado, 158 points
2. Haiden Deegan, 151
3. Hunter Lawrence, 136
7. RJ Hampshire, 99
9. Malcolm Stewart, 83
10. Aaron Plessinger, 80
11. Eli Tomac, 78
Results 250SMX Class – SMX Final
1. Cole Davies (Yamaha)
2. Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki)
3. Landen Gordon (Yamaha)
6. Julien Beaumer (KTM)
7. Ryder DiFrancesco (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)
8. Daxton Bennick (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)
Standings 250SMX Class 2026
1. Levi Kitchen, 153 points
2. Ryder DiFrancesco, 129
3. Cole Davies, 128
4. Julien Beaumer, 119
7. Daxton Bennick, 98
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