Qualifying in Detroit was strong for the team, with Joey Savatgy clocking the 7th fastest time, just two-tenths behind last week’s winner. Given the brutal crash he suffered earlier—captured on video—it was a relief to see him not only walk away but also return for qualifying.
“Joey’s bike was damaged after crashing over the quad jump, which required repairs. It was a scary moment that could have easily ended his season. His speed is there—we know that—and his qualifying time proved again how fast he can go,” said Team Principal Martin Davalos.
In the 450 class, Shane McElrath qualified 13th, while in the 250 class, Carson Mumford secured 9th. Heading into the night show, the team felt confident, and Savatgy appeared unfazed by his earlier crash.
“I got lucky with that crash. I was happy with my speed and how the bike felt in qualifying,” said Savatgy.
All three riders qualified directly for the Main Event through their heat races. Mumford showed great pace but is still working on building race fitness following his time off.
“I was up there at the start of my heat, and my speed matched past champions, but I need to get fitter,” said Mumford, who finished 4th in his heat race.
In the Main Event, Mumford once again showed top-five speed. However, fitness remains a hurdle as he continues to regain full race form. He finished 8th, moving up to equal 6th in the championship—a position he’s determined to improve.
“The results are okay, but I want to be on the box. The bike is capable of winning, and the team deserves it. I also want to finish every race—I know if I push too hard while fatigued, I could crash, and I’m trying to avoid that. We have a plan,” said Mumford.
In the 450 class, Savatgy looked poised for a strong finish until a mid-race crash forced him to fight back from last to 13th, salvaging crucial points. McElrath also started strong but was still feeling the effects of a lingering illness, ultimately finishing 12th.
“This is frustrating. The team and I expect better. My starts are terrible, I need to get out with the leaders, and I have to stop crashing,” said Savatgy.
“The first half of the race was solid, but my energy was drained from being sick the past two weeks. I had to push through for 12th, but it’s not where I or the team want to be. I’m aiming for a solid result in Daytona—somewhere between 8th and 12th—then we can reset during the break,” added McElrath.
Davalos: “We Know Our Potential”
Despite the setbacks, Team Principal Martin Davalos remains optimistic about the team’s potential.
“It’s tough. We have dedicated sponsors, staff, and a team that’s working hard, but the results don’t reflect that yet. Joey again showed he has top-five speed. Mumford needs to clean up small mistakes and continue building his fitness—he can be on the podium. Unfortunately, McElrath is still recovering from illness, and we have to be mindful of that. These guys race sick, injured, and exhausted. It’s brutal. But I know we’re capable of better results, and we’ll get there,” concluded Davalos.
Images – Michael Antonovich
