Malcolm Stewart’s Historic 450SX Win in Tampa: A Dream Come True and a Bold Response to Ricky Carmichael

On February 9, 2025, Malcolm Stewart achieved a significant milestone by securing his first 450SX Main Event victory at the AMA Supercross Championship round in Tampa, Florida. Riding for Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing, the 32-year-old Floridian delivered an exceptional performance in front of his home crowd.

Stewart’s day began with a strong showing in qualifying, where he posted the third-fastest lap time on the technical Tampa circuit. He carried this momentum into his Heat Race, securing a commendable second-place finish. In the Main Event, Stewart got off the line well, with steady progress forward seeing him in second position by the midway mark. From there, he continued to close into the deficit of the leader, before utilizing his superior whoop speed to complete a race-winning pass. That was all that he needed, as he went on to notch his maiden premier class race win.

Reflecting on his journey, Stewart said, “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.’ So 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!”

This victory not only marked a personal triumph for Stewart but also resonated deeply within the motocross community. Notably, Ricky Carmichael, a former rival of Stewart’s older brother, James Stewart Jr., has been a prominent figure in the sport. In recent years, Carmichael and James Stewart have reconciled and even collaborated as commentators, reflecting a matured relationship built on mutual respect.

Malcolm Stewart’s win in Tampa serves as a testament to his perseverance and dedication. Overcoming past injuries and challenges, he has firmly established himself as a formidable competitor in the 450SX class, carrying forward the Stewart legacy in motocross.