Daxton Bennick on: Clutch, Husqvarna | Transcript

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing's Daxton Bennick offered invaluable insight into his shift to the FC 250 in a post-race discussion at round nine of the 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season in Indianapolis, Indiana. Bennick, previously a Yamaha-mounted pilot, has already secured a podium in his new colors and found more consistency in the environment.

Often more filtered, Bennick mentioned that the culture at Husqvarna seems likely to bring the very best out of him and chuckled at the misconception that Yamaha's YZ250F is so superior to his competitors.

Vital MX: Honestly, a good night for you. Close to the podium and to do that outside of the first round feels like quite a significant step for you.

Daxton Bennick: Yeah, it is and that helps me a little bit. It's definitely a bit more of a positive take, but I beat myself up pretty bad. I think I was close to tied to the podium there but, man, I'm pretty frustrated. It really just came down to the last start. I kind of had a problem with my clutch. I think it's getting burned up a little bit and it was slipping so, yeah, it hurts. Should have been on the podium tonight but we'll bottle that up and take it into Birmingham. It would be cool to podium there.

This little clutch issue. Did that actually impact you during the third race as well?

Not too badly on the track actually but 100% on the start. I really believe that the bike, when it's right, is the best starter. I've had two holeshots now. My starts are the best they have ever been. There's no reason I would have a bad start like that so, yeah, I'm frustrated, but it's part of it. I could also look at it like I could've been better in the second main and got Pierce [Brown] for third. Maybe it could have been the difference? Frustrating night but I have also got to be happy with being mad at a fourth. I used to be mad at a seventh, but now I'm mad at fourth. Hey, that's good and in all three races I saw the top five. That's kind of my goal right now and hopefully we can sneak another podium or win in there. I'll just keep chipping away.

Starts have been better. Is that something to do with the Husqvarna – something you like – or is it just a confidence thing?

I think a real good mix of both. Confidence for sure. They [the starts] have been really, really good at the practice track. The bike is unreal off the start. I will say that when it's 'on' then it's really, really good. I think the team will get the clutch thing figured out. If we have to replace the entire system each time we ride then that's what we'll have to do.

Everyone talks about how good the starts are on a Yamaha. Were you surprised – or are you surprised – how close this bike is and how competitive it is?

Yeah, I am. First thing I noticed was everyone talks like that bike's head and shoulders above the other bikes but it… Don't get me wrong, they both do good things and they have their pros. The Husky, though, I'm super happy with it. I think if we get a couple little things better, then it can make the difference.

What do you need to get better? What are those little things?

The whoops a little bit. Fourth gear could be better. Second gear is unreal and then I've kind of maybe started trying to hit the whoops in third a little bit. Just out of the turn it struggles to get where I need it to in the RPMs, but these guys work really hard and they take my advice. I'm maybe the only guy that's come from a different bike because, you know, the riders who have been on the Husky; Casey's [Cochran] always been on the Husky and RJ's [Hampshire] been on the Husky, you know, for a while on a 250F. I feel like I have some different advice and they take it. I think we work really good together.

What's maybe the number one thing this bike does better than the Yamaha?

Turns. Turns and starts. Starts are unreal. The power is really good.

Is it just like the power being more manageable out of the gate?

Yeah. This will bite me in the butt, but I also think the hydraulic is good off the start. It is. I like the cable in some areas. In the whoops it's really good, like being able to drag the clutch because the cable is very in or out. Not a cable, the hydraulic. Yeah, I would say that this bike turns super good and then the motor is really good too.

Finally, are you seeing the benefit of being the only Husqvarna rider on this coast and having a little more attention compared to the past? Do you realize what a big deal that is now?

Yeah. Yeah, it is. It's a completely different approach, almost because I'm carrying the team a little bit. Malcolm even told me, 'I want you to believe in yourself and not beat yourself up'. It was definitely very frustrating tonight. I should have been on the podium, but we have to take it on a chin. Like you said, it's a completely different approach. This team is very into it and they are good on the small details. Even practicing, I'm only 250SMX guy right now. I can just chase the 450s and not worry about any 250. I think that's good for me and the same with the starts. I'm starting against the 450s, you know?