Image: Octopi Media.

Improved early track position across each Triple Crown race marked a step forward for Quad Lock Honda’s Christian Craig in Houston, taking positives from a mixed 19-8-8 scorecard and 12th overall at round four of Monster Energy Supercross 2026.

The current depth of the 450SX field has placed a heightened emphasis on starts, with increased difficulty in charging through a premier class field stacked with riders who have proven championship credentials.

In the first Texan stop of the year, 34-year-old Craig showed improved form off the line, running inside the top-five early in race one before contact with Dylan Ferrandis (Troy Lee Designs Red Bull Ducati Factory Racing) left him on the ground with three minutes remaining.

Two additional top-10 starts saw the Quad Lock Honda recruit convert to 8-8 finishes, contributing to 12th overall on the night. It was a step in the right direction that will be of value into the middle portion of Supercross.

“I made some bike changes this week,” Craig admitted post-race. “Shane [McElrath] actually came up this week, and we were able to push each other on Wednesday, so I was feeling pretty good in Houston.

“I qualified decent and felt racey – I was like, ‘Alright, we’re in a good spot and I can put myself in a good position.’ For all three races, I had good starts, and the first one I just locked up and rode a little too tight – I got passed by a bunch of guys and then put on the ground by one.

“I was really bummed after that one. I was contemplating a lot of stuff, so I kind of just shut my mind off and reset, and luckily, we had two more to go. Got another good start in race two and finished eighth – which is my best of the season – and then was in seventh until the last two corners and then got passed for P8 in the last one.

“Slowly but surely, we are building,” he added. “It’s only round four, but I’m starting to get there in the pack, and I’m pumped with that. The bike was working well all day, and we’ll aim to do better next weekend.”

Craig recorded a season-high 11th-place finish at the Anaheim 1 opener, and currently sits 12th in the 450SX standings in his maiden term with the independently-operated Quad Lock Honda organization.