Image: Octopi Media.

It was bike damage that caused Jalek Swoll to DNF Arlington’s season-opening round of the 250SX East division, the Triumph Factory Racing rider crashing in the whoops and drawing an early end to his night.

The 25-year-old returned to Monster Energy Supercross in AT&T Stadium for the first time since the 2024 series finale, positioned 14th in qualifying and then improving to third in the first heat race.

Featuring inside the top 10 to start the main event, the night would unravel for Swoll after an incident in the whoops three minutes into the race, with damage to his TF 250-X’s steering ultimately forcing him out altogether.

“My first Supercross since 2024 obviously didn’t go the way we wanted,” recalled Swoll. “I made good passes quickly in the main and had a moment with another rider that ultimately ended my night.

“[I] sheared off some metal in the steering department and [it] would’ve been dangerous to try and ride, so I had to pull out of the race – good news is I’m healthy, and there are better days ahead.”

Triumph Racing America general manager Jeremy Coker added: “Sadly it was not the start to 250SX East that we wanted or needed. The team and the riders have a plan of attack moving into the next week with how to improve. We will all hold our heads high and strive to show the world that Triumph belongs at the front.”

With Jordon Smith and Austin Forkner – who is currently still sidelined with a hand injury – both graduating to 450SX this season, Swoll has become Triumph’s sole entry in 250SX across both regions in 2026.