Joey Savatgy's Performance at the 2026 Daytona Supercross: A Deep Dive
Daytona, FL - Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship
Joey Savatgy has been on a roll this season, securing a top-ten finish in six out of eight races. His recent performance at Daytona was particularly noteworthy, as he secured a solid fifth-place finish. While the top four riders have been setting the pace, Joey is firmly in the second group of riders, aiming to break into the top four. Despite a strong showing in timed qualifying and a second-place finish in his heat, Joey was disappointed not to start at the front, which would have given him a better chance to see how he stacked up against the main event leaders.
A Conversation with Joey Savatgy
Racer X: Joey, another great night for you! You went from ninth to fifth, so it was a really good ride here in Daytona. Great job, man!
Joey Savatgy: Thank you! Yeah, it was good. I mean, it's hard to be upset about a fifth place, right? The only bummer for me is that by the time I got to fifth, the next group was so far ahead. I was kind of on my own, and I felt like I could have pushed harder.
On Gaining on Malcolm
Racer X: Where do you think you were gaining on Malcolm?
Joey Savatgy: Before I passed him, a little bit everywhere. I think he's nursing something a little bit. He starts off pretty good, but his body language looks fatigued. He's favoring something, and that's what it looks like from my perspective. I was able to charge through things and absorb them, a little bit here and there.
On the Track Layout
Racer X: It wasn't a typical Daytona, where it was treacherous. They took jumps out and made it more racey. Lap times didn't vary much. You guys were all doing the same thing. Different Daytona for sure. Did you like it or not like it?
Joey Savatgy: I thought it was way better. It's just like we've talked about before, though. Hopefully, for next weekend in Indy, they know what happens normally. So maybe they make it a little bit mellower, where you can still race and not feel like you're gonna die. The lighting at night, especially on the far side, wasn't the greatest. We've been here before, and you have a gnarly rhythm on the far side. You can't see the bottom of the ruts because the lighting's not the greatest. In my opinion, it made for way better racing like this because it still got gnarly, but it was mellow enough to where you can still race and move around and explore things without being like, 'Oh my God. This three-five-three into a table over two. I don't wanna move because I don't know if I'm gonna front flip.'
On the Track Design
Joey Savatgy: I give RC a lot of shit, but I will say, this direction of a little bit tamer, I don't wanna say mellower, but a little bit tamer. We know the track we have in the heat race and the track we have for the first qualifying is not what it's gonna be for the main event. We're keeping that in mind. I think they did a great job knowing how bad it gets in the main and still making it a safe, raceable track.
On the Inside Rut
Racer X: How deep was that inside rut on the off camber?
Joey Savatgy: Yeah, I know. It was but, like, you couldn't go outside. I did it in the heat once, go outside and double around.
On Hunter's Performance
Racer X: Well, Hunter was making that work in the main.
Joey Savatgy: Was he really? Okay. See, I only went out there a few times, there might have been a cutoff line, like, where you could get it pivoted.
On Paddle Tires
Racer X: The optical illusion from the press box looked like he was going to decapitate the dude on the inside.
Joey Savatgy: I mean, again, it's like the inside is favorable, but I also almost made passes going outside. As it gets gnarlier and gnarlier, you have to move. So, when the track's not super gnarlier, it gives you the freedom to move and be better. Kenny told me he didn't run a paddle tire, and he was really struggling in the sand. Do you know why he didn't run a paddle tire?
Joey Savatgy: He didn't run a paddle? I don't know, dude. That's insane. I mean, I don't know if Coop had one. Press day, Coop did not have one. Dude, I was shocked at how many guys did not have a paddle on. Especially, dude, coming into the season, there was a handful of riders that I know for a fact were running a paddle every day on the supercross track. And that we've just, like, 86'ed that quick.
On the Impact of Paddle Tires
Joey Savatgy: I think once the #3 did it, we all did it. I don't know. The bike reacts a little different. For me, personally, when I put a paddle on, the rear is low. So, then I struggle with the front end being too tall. On one hand, we've talked about testing just to set up for the paddle in case we ever wanna switch. But, dude, I don't know about next weekend. Like, typical Indy, you might be okay with a paddle. As gnarly as it gets and as much traction as there is, a paddle could be viable. But, yeah, it's crazy to me that Kenny didn't have one.
