Signs of Progress for Quad Lock Honda at Round 7 of World SuperMotocross!
Arlington, Texas – Round 7 of the World SuperMotocross Championship saw the Quad Lock Honda team take another step forward, showing clear signs of progress in one of the most fiercely contested championships in the world. While the overall results are not yet where the team aims to be, both riders are inching closer to breaking into the top 10 overall in the championship.
Strong Qualifying Performances
Joey Savatgy and Shane McElrath put in solid performances in qualifying, securing direct entries into the night’s Triple Crown format. Savatgy, in particular, continues to make strides with both his bike setup and riding.
“I truly feel we’re making the right decisions with the bike,” said Savatgy. “We were third fastest in the first qualifier and 9th in combine times. Even though it looks like we dropped back, I actually went faster in session two—but so did the others.”
McElrath also saw positive improvements throughout the day.
“Every change we made during qualifying was a step in the right direction,” he noted, despite still battling the effects of a lingering cold.
Race Recap – A Night of Mixed Results
The Triple Crown format consists of three races, with Olympic-style scoring determining the overall standings for the night. The rider with the lowest combined points secures the highest overall position before standard championship points are awarded.
Savatgy’s night was a rollercoaster. A crash in the opening race cost him a potential top-five finish, but he salvaged 11-8-9 results across the three motos, placing 10th overall.
“Truth be told, I’m disappointed,” Savatgy admitted. “The bike is great, and we’ve made huge gains over the past three races. These results are on me. I’ve also been dealing with a cold, but that’s no excuse—I just need to be better.”
McElrath posted 13-10-12 finishes for 13th overall, showing flashes of his old form. He ran inside the top three in the opening laps of the final race and displayed top-five speed in three of the track’s eight sectors. However, both he and the team expect stronger results moving forward.
“There were finally real signs of promise,” McElrath said. “The bike and I are really starting to gel, and my speed is improving. We set a plan five weeks ago, and we’re sticking to it. Our goal is to break into the top 10 over the next two rounds, then use the break to focus on bike strength, fitness, and consistency. The data shows I’m dropping off late in the races, so we have a plan, and we’re committed to it.”
Team Expectations – Pushing for More
Team Principal Martin Davalos was direct in his assessment, acknowledging the improvements but reinforcing the team’s high expectations.
“I expect our riders to be further up the field,” Davalos stated. “The factory team has already proven how competitive the CRF450R is. We know we have strong bikes, we know they can get great starts—Shane proved that this weekend—and we have access to the same tire choices as everyone else.
Both Joey and Shane have been dealing with illness, and that does have an impact. But even with that in mind, I believe they should be racing inside the top 8 every weekend. We’ll continue to push them and refine the bike, but following the break, I expect them to be inside the top 8.”
Honoring the Military – Fan Appreciation
The team also received tremendous praise for its Military Appreciation efforts at Arlington. Sporting custom SKDA graphics and FLY Racing gear, Quad Lock Honda paid tribute to the armed forces, an initiative that resonated with fans.
Over 16,000 fans liked the graphics, with 800+ shares and countless comments applauding the team’s tribute. One fan summed it up: “That’s how you show appreciation.” Another declared: “That’s the best-looking bike out there.”
The Quad Lock Honda team is deeply grateful for the freedoms they enjoy, recognizing the sacrifices made by the men and women in uniform.
Next Up: Daytona – Round 8
The team now sets its sights on Round 8 in Daytona this coming weekend. With clear progress being made, the focus remains on breaking into the top 10 and continuing to build momentum.
For more information on the SuperMotocross Championship, visit www.supercrosslive.com.
Images – Michael Antonovich
