Among the highly-capable group of rookies debuting in 250SX East at Houston was Chance Hymas, with the Team Honda HRC newcomer already hungry for improvement following a heat race podium and eighth place in the main event.

Hymas won clinched the SX Futures crown last year and completed his maiden professional Supercross outing on Saturday at NRG Stadium, qualifying eighth fastest ahead of the night show.

The 17-year-old impressed during the opening heat race of the night, finishing third behind teammate Hunter Lawrence and Nate Thrasher (Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing). A fast start to the main event saw Hymas right in the mix during the opening laps, running as high as second before he admittedly ran out of steam, regrouped and completed the outing in P8.

“That was quite the experience,” recalled Hymas. “Hunter and I were 1-2 off the start, and for the first four laps, I was like, ‘I need to go!’. Then around the fifth or sixth lap, I ran out of breath. I got to about halfway and kind of regrouped, and then salvaged what I could. I qualified eighth, finished eighth, third in the heat race… I want to be better, but it could’ve been a lot worse. I’ll take it.”

While Houston marked Hymas’ 250SX East debut, his first professional appearance was last year at Fox Raceway, and competing in the final round of 250MX with Team Honda HRC he landed 15th overall courtesy of 20-11 moto scores.

For 2023 Supercross, Hymas was announced to compete in select 250SX East races but indicated post-race at NRG Stadium that he will line up again Saturday in Tampa when the series resumes.