The 2025 Tampa Supercross will forever be remembered as the night Malcolm Stewart etched his name into AMA Supercross history. Battling adversity, hometown pressure, and a stacked field, the 32-year-old Floridian clinched his maiden 450SX victory in front of a roaring crowd at Raymond James Stadium. Meanwhile, Max Anstie dominated the 250SX East opener, and Cameron McAdoo defied injury to secure a podium finish. Here’s a breakdown of the drama, emotions, and standout moments from an unforgettable race weekend.
Stewart’s Emotional Breakthrough
Malcolm Stewart’s journey to victory was a story of resilience. After a devastating knee injury in 2023 and a turbulent 2024 season, Stewart credited his family and team for reigniting his passion. “My dad told me, ‘Either quit racing or ride for fun,’” he shared, reflecting on a pivotal moment that shifted his mindset . His brother, two-time champion James Stewart, added to the emotional weight, interviewing him trackside and calling the race from the broadcast booth.
Stewart’s tactical brilliance shone in the whoops, where he pressured leader Chase Sexton into a critical mistake. “I knew if I attacked there, I could get into his head,” Stewart said, describing how he capitalized on Sexton’s indecision . When Sexton crashed with four laps remaining, Stewart surged ahead, fueled by a deafening hometown crowd. “I couldn’t even hear my bike—it was pure adrenaline,” he laughed .
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250SX East: Anstie’s Commanding Start
The 250SX East division exploded into action with Max Anstie claiming victory after a chaotic red flag. Teammate Pierce Brown had led early but crashed in the treacherous whoops, handing Anstie the lead. “It took the wind out of my sails to see Pierce go down, but we stayed focused,” Anstie admitted . Daxton Bennick, Anstie’s rookie teammate, secured a career-best second place despite a five-point penalty for a red-cross flag violation.
The podium wasn’t complete without Cameron McAdoo’s gritty third-place finish. Racing with a torn ACL sustained just days earlier, McAdoo called the result a “miracle,” adding, “God gave me the strength to push through” .
450SX Drama: Sexton’s Collapse and Webb’s Charge
Chase Sexton’s dominant start unraveled in the whoops. After leading for 19 laps, a crash damaged his bike’s throttle and front brake, dropping him to fifth. “I’m furious, but I’ll take the points lead to Detroit,” Sexton said post-race . Cooper Webb capitalized on the chaos, charging from a poor start to second. “Malcolm earned this—he was unstoppable in the whoops,” Webb conceded . Jason Anderson rounded out the podium, crediting consistency: “I hung in there and got lucky with others’ mistakes” .
Ken Roczen’s night ended in frustration after a collision with lapped riders in the sand section. “It was a racing incident, but Jeremy Hand should’ve been more aware,” analysts noted . Defending champion Jett Lawrence (Honda) watched from the sidelines, sidelined for the season with an ACL tear .
Key Quotes from the Field
– Daxton Bennick (250SX P2):“I told Max, ‘It’s just like practice—we’ve got this!’”
– Cameron McAdoo (250SX P3): “We’re making the best of a tough situation” .
– Cooper Webb (450SX P2):“I’ll take second, but I need better starts” .
– Jason Anderson (450SX P3):“Congrats to Malcolm—this sport rewards perseverance” .
Standings Shakeup
– **450SX:** Sexton retains the red plate (101 points), but Webb closed the gap to five. Stewart’s win vaulted him to sixth overall .
– **250SX East:** Anstie leads with 25 points, while McAdoo sits second despite his injury .
Final Thoughts
Tampa’s technical track—featuring deep sand and punishing whoops—tested every rider’s skill and composure. Stewart’s victory, paired with Anstie’s calculated dominance, underscored the night’s theme: resilience triumphs over adversity. As the series heads to Detroit, the battles in both classes promise even higher stakes.
