Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team Introduces ahead of 2023 SuperMotocross World Championship Season

TEWART AND CRAIG HIGHLIGHT 450 CLASS ROSTER; HAMPSHIRE AND SWOLL BACK FOR 2023

MATTIGHOFEN, AUSTRIA – December 6, 2022 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing is proud to introduce its four-rider SuperMotocross World Championship roster entering the new season, consisting of newly signed Christian Craig and the returning Malcolm Stewart aboard the 2023 Husqvarna FC 450 Rockstar Edition, as well as RJ Hampshire and Jalek Swoll equipped with the Husqvarna FC 250.

Officially launched on Tuesday at RD Field, where the team’s practice facility is based in Murrieta, Calif., all four Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team riders are eager for the gates to drop on the 2023 AMA Supercross season in Anaheim on January 7. From there, inclusive of Pro Motocross beginning in May, the newly introduced series will feature 31 events combined.

As the current 250SX Western Regional Champion, 31-year-old Craig will transition to the 450SX division full-time in the upcoming season with momentum on his side. He has swiftly adapted to the FC 450 Rockstar Edition upon training with Aldon Baker at the Baker’s Factory and carries high hopes into both supercross and motocross.

Malcolm Stewart, meanwhile, is set to continue his upward trajectory in what will be his second year with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing. After finishing a career-high third in the 450SX standings this past season, complete with three podiums to his credit, expectations for the entire SuperMotocross World Championship are high for the 30-year-old rider.

Christian Craig: “This is year one on the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team and it’s been good so far this pre-season. I moved the whole family to Clermont and started fresh with Aldon. We went straight into bootcamp, and it’s been good so far. I’m just learning the bike, learning the program and just trying to build each day and get better. I’m getting more familiar with the bike every day and just keep grinding. Other than that, just doing the laps and getting ready for A1, trying to be as ready as possible.”

Malcolm Stewart: “I feel great going into the 2023 season with the team. I had a really good year last year for supercross and I felt like we were just getting the ball rolling. I just feel like, for me, it’s all about being consistent, as I’ve always said. I’ve got better goals for myself and I think I got some personal stuff that I know I needed to do done. Being with the team again for another year on this bike, I feel like it’s going to be a really good year, so I’m excited. I got a new teammate, Christian Craig, and I feel like he’s going hold me accountable just like everybody else that’s out there, so I can’t wait to see how we do and I think it’s going to be a great year for the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team.”

It will be RJ Hampshire and Jalek Swoll who lead the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing 250 class program into the SuperMotocross World Championship series, both continuing with the team and with the goal of competing for victory in the new year aboard their 2023 Husqvarna FC 250 race bikes.

As for RJ Hampshire, this year also marks his fourth with Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing and it is shaping up to be his best yet. The 26-year-old finished runner-up in the 250SX Eastern Regional Championship with a breakout Main Event win, followed by finishing fifth in 250MX, where he also managed to stand on top of the podium. Now, he is firmly targeting to contend for championships.

At 22 years of age, Jalek Swoll enters his fourth term with the team in the professional ranks and is looking to put his experience into practice throughout both indoors and the outdoors. In 2022, he displayed top-five form in supercross and has hopes of building on those results in the 250SX and 250MX series.

RJ Hampshire: “We’ve had a really solid off-season so far since the beginning of December and I feel like we’re about ready to go. We made a lot of progress with the bike and my comfort, so looking back on last year, I know we’re in a good spot. Getting second in the championship was huge and I definitely feel like we can make a big jump forward. These guys have been working really hard ever since last year and we’re in a really good spot, so I’m excited to go racing with the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team.”

Jalek Swoll: “I’m really looking forward to this upcoming season with the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team. We’ve gotten a lot more time on the bike and have had some really good days back in Florida training with Aldon and I’m feeling good about this season. I’m eager to get back into racing with the whole team and look forward to the fun of that whole deal. I’m excited for us riders to come out swinging hard and try to re-brand ourselves this year.”

Nathan Ramsey, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team Manager: “I’m very excited about the 2023 season. We’ve got a new addition to the team with Christian Craig, and three hard-working riders returning this year with Malcolm, RJ and Jalek back with us. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing is looking good, and the guys have been putting in a lot of work at the Baker’s Factory during the off-season. We’re excited to have Josh Hansen on-board doing some testing with the bikes. We’re feeling confident coming into the year and looking forward to getting it started.”

Husqvarna Motorcycles.

Husqvarna Motorcycles is widely known for leading innovation and providing exceptional performance across its street and offroad products, as well as being present in all top-level racing disciplines. With the brand originally founded in Sweden in 1903, Husqvarna Motorcycles’ machines have been designed and manufactured in Mattighofen, Austria since 2013.

Rockstar Energy Drink

Rockstar Energy Drink is designed for those who lead active lifestyles – from Athletes to Rockstars. Available in over 20 flavors at convenience and grocery outlets in over 30 countries, Rockstar supports the Rockstar lifestyle across the globe through Action Sports, Motor Sports, and Live Music. For more information visit: www.RockstarEnergy.com

Source: Husqvarna Motorcycles GmbH

Husky SX Sponsors

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Christian Craig joins Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s 450 Team Lineup in 2023

a

CALIFORNIA NATIVE INKS A TWO-YEAR DEAL ABOARD THE
FC 450 ROCKSTAR EDITION

MURRIETA, CA – October 4, 2022 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing is pleased to welcome Christian Craig to the team’s 450 lineup in both AMA Supercross and AMA Pro Motocross Championship racing. Inking a two-year deal, the California native will remain with the team through the 2024 race season.

The 2022 250SX Western Champion will step into the 450 cc division full-time in 2023 aboard the FC 450 Rockstar Edition, making his official debut at the Anaheim I season opener on January 7. As a consistent front-runner in the 250 class over the years, Craig is no stranger to the premier class as he holds one overall-podium and 16 top-five finishes in 450 SX and MX competition.

Christian Craig – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team: “My goal for as long as I can remember was to get a full-time 450 ride and I’m so grateful that I’ve got that now! The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team is a very well established, winning team with a great program behind it. When I began talking with the team, they were very confident in the future they could provide and they believed in me, which is obviously really important to me. I’m excited to see how I can progress in the 450 class full-time with the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing crew.”

Nathan Ramsey – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team Manager: “I am very happy that we were able to add Christian to our Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing program. The level of talent that Christian has displayed over the years is very evident and it’s exciting to now be a part of. I believe that Christian is really maturing as a racer and his championship last year is proof of that. We are more than happy to have him on the team and can’t wait to get to work.”

For more information on the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team and its athletes, visit www.husqvarna-motorcycles.com.

Husqvarna Motorcycles.

Husqvarna Motorcycles is widely known for leading innovation and providing exceptional performance across its street and offroad products, as well as being present in all top-level racing disciplines. With the brand originally founded in Sweden in 1903, Husqvarna Motorcycles’ machines have been designed and manufactured in Mattighofen, Austria since 2013.

Rockstar Energy Drink

Rockstar Energy Drink is designed for those who lead active lifestyles – from Athletes to Rockstars. Available in over 20 flavors at convenience and grocery outlets in over 30 countries, Rockstar supports the Rockstar lifestyle across the globe through Action Sports, Motor Sports, and Live Music. For more information visit: www.RockstarEnergy.com

Source: KTM North America, Inc. 

Rockstar Husqvarna sponsor logos

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Monster Energy’s Chase Sexton & Eli Tomac battle to the finish in Washougal MX National thriller!

Sexton breaks Tomac’s eight moto 450 class win streak in winning the Washougal overall; Jason Anderson 3rd to complete another Monster Energy podium sweep

CORONA, CA – July 25, 2022 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – With a masterful performance in the second and deciding 450cc class moto of Saturday’s Washougal MX National, Monster Energy’s Chase Sexton (Honda) held off a feverous chase from class point leader Eli Tomac (Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha) to capture the overall victory at Round Eight of the 2022 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship. With the victory Sexton kept within five points of overall class leader Tomac (364-359) as the series enters its two week mid-summer break. Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson made it another Monster Energy sweep of the 450 class podium.

All totaled, Monster Energy racers, led by Tomac and Sexton, have swept five of the eight total MX National 450 class podiums this summer, including three-straight (Southwick, Spring Creek and Washougal).

And in 250cc class racing Monster Energy’s Justin Cooper (Star Racing/Yamaha) would win the second moto to place 2nd overall at Washougal, with Jo Shimoda (Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki) scoring two moto podium finishes (3rd/3rd) to take 4th place overall.

Said Sexton of his ‘statement’ win at Washougal: “That was a really, really good moto for me (referring to the deciding second moto). The holeshot was awesome. Eli (Tomac) was on me the whole time. I was going as fast as I could go, got a little gap and cruised ‘er in. I couldn’t be battling with a better guy than Eli. Man, that race meant a lot to me. Got to come out swinging at Unadilla (Aug. 13). That’s all I can do.”

Chase Sexton and Eli Washougal (678)

Here’s a look at what went down at Washougal MX, beginning with the 450 class.

Eli Tomac 450 Moto 1 action Washougal

450 Moto 1 – Monster Energy’s Eli Tomac

Fresh of winning an ESPN ‘ESPY’ award as the Best Action Sport Athlete, Tomac opened the 450 class racing at Washougal with a 3rd place start, then moved into 2nd place, behind Monster Energy’s Sexton, when race leader Ryan Dungey’s (KTM) bike ceased to run. … With Tomac in hot pursuit of Sexton, guest race announcer, Monster Energy’s 6-time champion Ryan Villopoto, said of Sexton and Tomac: “These two are on another level right now.” … Dogging Sexton up to the 17:02 mark, Tomac set up the Honda rider with a slick move into Washougal’s lengthy whoop section – and Sexton failed to cover his inside line, allowing Tomac to blitz past and into the lead. … Other Monster Energy racers in the 450 class top ten opening moto at Washougal included Anderson (4th), Joey Savatgy (Kawasaki) in 6th and Christian Craig (Star Racing/Yamaha), who had crashed on the opening lap, was up to 8th. … At the moto’s midway point Tomac had opened up a 2.5 second lead on Sexton, Anderson was six seconds back of Ken Roczen (Honda) for 3rd and Craig had moved up to 7th, and onto Justin Barcia (Gas Gas) in a battle for, possibly, the third and final Team USA Moto Des National spot (with Tomac and Sexton). … By the 10:47 mark Tomac and Sexton had opened up an incredible 20 seconds on 3rd place Roczen, with Sexton closing in and cutting Tomac’s lead to 1.1 seconds at the 8:10 mark, recording a 2:15.1 lap time to Tomac’s 2:16.3. … With Tomac’s lead under one second with six minutes plus two laps remaining, the point leader made an uncharacteristic mistake, lazily tipping over in a corner – with Sexton piling on top of him (nowhere for the Honda rider to go). The two would eventually remount/rejoin the race, with still a 15-second lead over Roczen. … Soon after the wreck Anderson would take 3rd place from Roczen, giving Monster Energy a 1-2-3 place in the closing moments of the opening moto. … With two laps remaining Tomac put the hammer down, opening a gap on Sexton with a race-best 2:12.9 lap – on the moto’s final lap! … The moto win for Tomac was his 8th straight, with he and Sexton going 1-2 nine times this year, Sexton finishing eight of those times in 2nd place.

Said Tomac: “Once again, me and Chase (Sexton) just going at it. He caught me at the start, then it was game on!”

Added Sexton: “Eli attached to me, (then) got me. We had a good flow going. Then we crashed together, which was almost laughable. Couldn’t get our bikes going.”

Said Anderson: “It’s frustrating. I fell over on the first lap. (I’ve) just got to give myself an opportunity to run with those guys (Tomac and Sexton). Learn from them. They’re on a pretty good pace right now.”

Chase Sexton 450 Moto 2 action Washougal

450 Moto 2 – Monster Energy’s Chase Sexton

No question on the 450 Moto 2 holeshot as Sexton ripped out of the gate on his CRF450R and up Washougal’s famed Horsepower Hill with the lead. … Monster Energy racers, led by Sexton, were 1, 2 (Tomac) and 3 (Anderson) in order to open the day’s final moto. … Tomac would get passed, briefly, by Anderson early on, but aired it out bravely off a downhill jump to quickly get back past the Kawasaki racer. … Tomac would then reel Sexton in, cutting the Honda rider’s race lead down to 1.8 seconds. … Craig and Barcia would find each other again, with Craig applying the pressure in a battle for 9th and 10th. The pressure would soon get to Barcia as the Gas Gas rider went down in a slick corner, and Craig was gone. … At Moto 2’s halfway point Sexton was up, barely, on Tomac as the two yo-yoed back and forth – from Tomac showing Sexton a front tire in some sections, to Sexton putting two seconds on Tomac in others. … With Anderson some 15 seconds back in 3rd place, Savatgy, who’s injured his ankle in practice, was having a great moto, running as high as 5th. … Tomac would crush a 2:12.6 lap at the 5:00 mark (to Sexton’s 2:13.2), only to have Sexton turn the tables a lap later with a 2:14.4 to Tomac’s 2:15.7. … With three laps to go Sexton, who won Washougal in 2021 with a 1st/3rd finish, was up 1.5 seconds on Tomac. … A final charge by Tomac was answered by Sexton, who rode mistake-free for the remainder of the contest for the moto win – and overall victory. Anderson would place 3rd with Craig coming in 5th, and 5th overall (6th/5th), and Savatgy placing a respectable 7th overall (7th/7th).

Said Tomac: “I was pushing and Chase and I were so close. I was eating a lot of dirt. Congratulations to him (Sexton). I did everything I could and 2nd was all we had today.”

Added Anderson: “I definitely was the third-best guy out there (laughter). All-in-all two podiums in a row is good progress for me. Let’s see if we can keep it going the next four rounds.” Note: With the 3rd place overall finish at Washougal Anderson increased his 3rd place overall series point standing ahead of Roczen to 11 points, 285-274.

Jo Shimoda 250 Moto 1 action Washougal

250 Moto 1 – Monster Energy’s Jo Shimoda

Shimoda, rocking some metal platform plates beneath his boots to assist him with his starts, blasted out to the holeshot and early race lead in the opening 250 moto at Washougal, with Seth Hammaker (Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki) in 4th and Cooper in 5th. … Shimoda would battle with Hunter Lawrence (Honda) up front, 2.6 seconds up on Jett Lawrence (Honda) in 3rd. … Hunter Lawrence would use the shadows of the towering pine trees to his advantage, passing Shimoda with an outside/inside move for the lead. Shimoda would move quickly onto Hunter Lawrence as the two entered the whoop section, with Lawrence leaving the track momentarily before jumping back on and holding the lead. … Past the moto’s halfway point a great three-way battle between Shimoda and the two Lawrences would come together as Shimoda cut Hunter Lawrence’s lead to 1.1 seconds, with Jett Lawrence closing fast. … As Cooper got past Hammaker for 4th place, Jett Lawrence caught Shimoda on a downhill section and stood the Pro Circuit/Kawasaki up, taking 2nd place. … At the end it’d be three Monster Energy racers in the top five with Shimoda in 3rd, Cooper in 4th and Hammaker in 5th.

Said Shimoda: “Two holeshots, two weeks in a row. I’m just trying my best every weekend. I use the starting blocks and I think I might have figured it out… but who knows? I’ve got another moto to race and we’ll see what happens.”

Justin Cooper 250 Moto 2 action Washougal

250 Moto 2 – Monster Energy’s Justin Cooper

Leaving the gate in about 6th place, Cooper showed off the YZ250F’s power as he pulled the Motosport.com holeshot and ripped up Horsepower Hill with the early race lead, Shimoda (2nd) and Hammaker (5th) in hot pursuit. … Cooper opened up a 1.4 second lead on Shimoda by the end of Lap 1, extending that lead to 2.3 then 3.5 seconds by the 20:28 mark of the moto. … As Hunter Lawrence caught up to Shimoda the Moto 1 winner ended up laying his bike over and threw away pretty much any shot at the overall race win. … The race’s halfway mark came and Shimoda was still holding off a hard charge from Jett Lawrence, the battle bringing the Washougal faithful (the “Hill People”) to their feet as Shimoda and Jett Lawrence put on what was then the day’s best battle. … Jett Lawrence would finally catch and pass Shimoda for 2nd on a downhill section, with Cooper still up four seconds with 2:50 plus two laps remaining. … Shimoda, in a thrilling finish, would deny a hard-charging Hunter Lawrence 3rd place, in what would eclipse Shimoda’s earlier battle with Jett Lawrence as the day’s best racing. … At the checkers it’d be Monster Energy’s Cooper – with his first moto win of the 2022 MX Nationals season. Cooper was joined on the 250 Moto 2 podium by Shimoda (3rd), with Hammaker in 6th (jumping from 8th to 5th in the overall 250 class standings) and Nate Thrasher (Monster Energy/Star Racing/Yamaha) a respectable 8th.

Said Cooper: “It’s great to be back,” of his first outdoor moto win since Hangtown ’21. “I felt in practice I had the speed today. My intensity was off a little bit in Moto 1. I made a few changes for Moto 2 and before I knew it I had a good gap going and just managed the race from there. I look forward to coming back swinging at Unadilla.”

Overall 2022 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, presented by Monster Energy, Points (Round 8 of 12)

450 class

Chase Sexton headshot Washougal

Chase Sexton

1st – Tomac

2nd – Sexton

3rd – Anderson

5th – Craig

9th – Savatgy

250 class

Cooper headshot Washougal

Justin Cooper

3rd – Shimoda

4th – Cooper

5th – Hammaker

8th – Kitchen

Up Next

The Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, presented by Monster Energy, takes its two week summer break before returning east for the long-running Unadilla (NY) MX National on Saturday, August 13. For more information visit www.promotocross.com

About Monster Energy

Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy is the leading marketer of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional, Monster Energy supports the scene and sport. Whether motocross, off-road, NASCAR, MMA, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster Energy is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes and musicians represent. More than a drink, it’s the way of life lived by athletes, sports, bands, believers and fans. See more about Monster Energy including all of its drinks at www.monsterenergy.com

Source: Monster Energy Company

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