Savatgy Shines in Philadelphia, McElrath Shows Grit

The Quad Lock Honda Racing Team, led by five-time Supercross winner Martin Davalos, continued its upward trajectory in Round 13 of the Monster Energy Supercross Championship in Philadelphia. With Joey Savatgy earning a season-best 5th and Shane McElrath charging from last to 12th, the team delivered its second consecutive top-five finish—proof that their hard work and persistence are paying off.

“This is where I believed we could be from the beginning,” said Team Manager Martin Davalos. “But I had to accept that both riders were new to the team, we had a new bike, some new staff and parts—these things take time, especially for a privateer team. Shane and Joey have the talent; it was just about giving them the right tools and time to get there.”

Supercross is unforgiving, with 31 races across the U.S. packed into a tight calendar, leaving little margin for error. Despite the intensity, the team has started to gel, and the results are showing.

Qualifying & Heats: Building Momentum

Savatgy qualified an impressive 5th, while McElrath slotted into 16th, though both riders felt confident they could improve for the main event.

Joey Savatgy: “The afternoon went well—I felt on pace right away. This past week was the best I’ve felt all season. My fitness and breathing were back where they need to be, and I finally felt 100%.”

Shane McElrath: “My heat was solid—4th place, and the changes we made to the bike felt really positive. I knew I could make up time in key sections.”

Main Event: Fight and Fire

McElrath’s hopes of a top finish were dashed early when a first-turn crash while contesting the holeshot dropped him to last. He remounted and put on an aggressive charge through the field to finish 12th.

Savatgy, on the other hand, delivered a season-best 5th-place finish, pushing hard and closing the gap on 4th in the final laps.

“Top five in this field is legit,” said Savatgy. “The pace is unreal—there are 6 or guys who can all win on any night. We’re competitive, we’re making smart choices, and we’ll keep building.”

Consistency and Capability

Despite the ups and downs, both riders’ ideal lap times (a combination of their fastest sectors) ranked 2nd and 3rd fastest overall on the night—a sign that the team’s raw speed is on par with the front-runners.

“We use this kind of data to encourage our riders,” said Davalos. “Ideal lap times don’t win races, but they show us what’s possible. If we can build consistency, we’ll be right there. That’s our next step.”

McElrath, despite his crash, remains motivated:
“I’m frustrated with the result, but happy with how I rode. I’m making big gains each week and I know I can be up front. I just need to stay focused and carry the positives into the final rounds.”

The Quad Lock Honda Team now sets its sights on Round 14, building confidence and momentum as the championship enters its final stretch.

For more updates, follow @quadlockhonda on social media.
Images by Michael Antonovich