It was a convincing day of racing for Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing in Round 5 of the 2026 AMA Pro Motocross Championship at RedBud, where Ryder DiFrancesco captured a first-career 250MX overall podium in third position. Casey Cochran claimed P4 in 250MX, while RJ Hampshire also finished just outside the podium in 450MX.
DiFrancesco qualified fourth fastest aboard his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition before converting that speed into a hard-fought sixth-place finish in Moto 1. He elevated his performance in Moto 2 with a third place result, with a 6-3 scorecard securing third overall for the annual Fourth of July weekend.
Following five rounds of Pro Motocross, Ryder D climbs to fifth in the 250MX standings as the series heads to the sands of Southwick on July 11.
“RedBud was awesome!” commented DiFrancesco. “My qualifying was solid, and then Moto 1 was going really well until I tipped it over, and then rebounded to sixth. In the second moto, I put myself in a good position – I just know the class is stacked at the moment, and if you have a good second score, you can still end up on the box. I maximized that one and rode it in for third overall, which I am stoked with.”
250MX teammate Casey Cochran qualified eighth fastest at RedBud and was in contention throughout Moto 1, powering his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition to a solid fifth-place score. Another strong start in Moto 2 saw the 19-year-old run second during the opening 10 minutes, before battling to fourth at the checkered flag. His 5-4 scorecard earned fourth overall for the weekend.
“It was a solid weekend, I felt good all day, and definitely making steps to where I want to be!” Cochran said. “RedBud is always a round that we enjoy, and to run up there in the motos and be at the front made it even better for me this weekend. We are building and I’m excited for Southwick next.”
250MX contender Daxton Bennick returned to racing at RedBud after two rounds on the sidelines, with the 20-year-old qualifying ninth aboard his Husqvarna FC 250 Factory Edition and recording 14-11 moto scores for 11th overall. He will aim to improve his starts and early track position in the coming rounds.
“It was good to be back at the races and we can begin to work our way forward from here,” Bennick commented. “We were able to keep progressing and get two solid motos in – I feel like if I can start up front we will be good, plus we made some changes during the day that worked well for me. I’m happy with where we’re at with the bike, so we will be better for Southwick.”
Equipped with the Husqvarna FC 450 Factory Edition, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire was the fifth fastest qualifier in 450MX, posting a 2:18.971 lap time during the morning sessions at RedBud.
Hampshire converted his front-running speed into a pair of measured fourth-place finishes, with 4-4 moto scores earning fourth overall for the round. The result sees the 30-year-old maintain fifth in the 450MX standings heading into Southwick.
“We did some testing this week back home and found some more comfort,” recalled Hampshire. “The bike felt much better today – I felt like I could ride and push, and my speed in the second moto was much better than the first. I wanted to put it on the box today – especially on the Fourth of July – but we’re chipping away, and huge thanks to the whole Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team for all the effort.”
Also in action at the RedBud National was Rockstar Energy Husqvarna amateur prospect Landon Gibson, who finished second overall in the SMX Next Scouting Moto Combine via 2-2 results this weekend.
Next Race: July 11 – Southwick, Massachusetts
Results 450MX Class – RedBud National
1. Hunter Lawrence (Honda)
2. Jorge Prado (KTM)
3. Jett Lawrence (Honda)
4. RJ Hampshire (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)
41. Aaron Plessinger (KTM)
Standings 450MX Class 2026 after 5 of 11 rounds
1. Hunter Lawrence, 227 points
2. Jett Lawrence, 224
3. Haiden Deegan, 176
4. Jorge Prado, 164
5. RJ Hampshire, 157
10. Aaron Plessinger, 102
18. Lucas Coenen, 44
22. Dante Oliveira, 25
32. Malcolm Stewart, 10
Results 250MX Class – RedBud National
1. Cole Davies (Yamaha)
2. Jo Shimoda (Honda)
3. Ryder DiFrancesco (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)
4. Casey Cochran (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)
11. Daxton Bennick (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing)
18. Julien Beaumer (KTM)
Standings 250MX Class 2026 after 5 of 11 rounds
1. Jo Shimoda, 194 points
2. Cole Davies, 190
3. Levi Kitchen, 185
4. Julien Beaumer, 159
5. Ryder DiFrancesco, 111
12. Casey Cochran, 89
20. Daxton Bennick, 43
21. Sacha Coenen, 33
