Joey Savatgy's 2026 Daytona Supercross Performance
Joey Savatgy's performance in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship has been impressive so far this season. He has consistently finished in the top ten in six out of eight races, securing a fifth-place finish in Daytona. While the top four riders have dominated, Savatgy is firmly in the second group, aiming to break into the top four. After a strong qualifying and heat race performance, he was disappointed not to start at the front, finishing fifth. Steve Matthes interviewed Savatgy post-race, discussing his chances of breaking into the lead group, tire choices, track conditions, and more.
Racer X: Joey, another solid performance in Daytona. You finished ninth to fifth, a great ride. Well done!
Savatgy: Thanks! It was a good race. I'm not too disappointed with fifth, but it's frustrating to see the front-runners so far ahead. I felt I had the speed to challenge them, but I never got the chance to see how I'd stack up in the main event.
You were gaining on Malcolm, right? Where did you think you were making progress?
Savatgy: I passed him before the finish line. I felt I was making progress everywhere. Malcolm might be nursing an injury, as he started well but appeared fatigued and favoring his body. From my perspective, I could charge through and absorb the challenges, making steady progress.
Daytona's track layout was different this time. It wasn't as treacherous as usual. The jumps were removed, and the lap times were consistent. The track felt more raceable. Did you enjoy this version of Daytona?
Savatgy: I thought it was better. However, I hope they make it more challenging for the Indy race. The lighting on the far side was poor, making it tricky to navigate the ruts. This track setup made for better racing, but it was still challenging enough to keep things interesting.
You mentioned the track's direction. Ricky Carmichael, the Daytona SX designer, has received some criticism. Do you think the track was made slightly tamer for safety?
Savatgy: Yes, I give RC a lot of credit. The track setup for the heat race and qualifying was different from the main event. They did a great job making it safe and raceable, considering how intense the main event can be.
The inside rut was deep, but you couldn't go outside. Did you try that strategy in the heat race?
Savatgy: I did, but there might have been a cutoff line. Hunter managed to navigate it in the main event.
The optical illusion from the press box made it look like Hunter was about to crash. Did you have similar concerns?
Savatgy: The inside line was challenging, but I could also make passes going outside. As the track gets more complex, you need to adapt. When it's not too challenging, it gives you more freedom to make strategic moves.
Kenny didn't run a paddle tire and struggled in the sand. Do you know why he chose not to use a paddle tire?
Savatgy: I'm shocked! I don't know, but it's crazy. I noticed many riders didn't use paddle tires, even though some were running them daily on the supercross track. It's a significant change, and I'm curious about the reasons behind it.
