Round nine of the Monster Energy Supercross at Daytona is in the books. In the 450SX class, it was Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Kawasaki) taking his fifth victory at Daytona, while Cameron McAdoo (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) won his first-ever supercross main event in the 250SX West class. Both winners were available to the media post-race for a Debrief interview feature. 

450SX

Image: Octopi Media.

You said during the broadcast in a pre-recorded interview that you’re not about records, you’re not worried about it, but it would also be cool to get that fifth win and tie the record here at Daytona with Ricky [Carmichael]. Now that you’ve done it what’s it feel like to get five of them here at this legendary race? 

“It’s a little hard to believe. I mean five out of the past six years is more than I would have ever expected right? Like I said on the podium I can only credit to just the track, it just fits me. Whether we like it or not, certain guys are better in certain conditions and this style is me. So that’s what gets me there. Tonight we had a great start from the beginning, which was key, crucial as usual. And yeah, just having fun on the bike here.”

The start too, it wasn’t like it was a great start from the drop all the way. You made a move in the first corner, take us through that decision and how you pulled it off. 

“I was like sixth [gate] pick and my goal was just to be the second guy in line going into that first turn because I knew I was too far inside to really get the holeshot, I knew I was going to get swept. But as long as I was number two, from watching the previous races, I knew I had a chance to come out top five if I controlled the inside. That’s exactly what happened, then I got in front by turn three.”

After you win so much sometimes it becomes a little second nature and these don’t seem so monumental. You really celebrated this one tonight. When you went over the finish line you looked directly into the crowd, went up to the wall burned off the tire. After not having such a dominant season this year, how does this win rank in other lists of achievements, especially with it being a must-win situation for the title?

I needed this. As you said, I’ve struggled the past three or four rounds. Like really struggled, just not being me. I’ve been looking forward to this race at this point, just the way the last few have gone so, huge win. I’m still in a pretty good hole points-wise, got a lot of work to do. But that being said it kind of makes me feel like I’m somewhat, you know, kind of in the game. As to where if I would have got beat by Ken [Roczen] and Cooper [Webb] I’m really out of the game. So that was big for us.

Was there any particular improvements that you’ve made over the weekend off that could potentially help you as we get into the back half of the season?

Not anything out of the ordinary, so I don’t know. My body felt good all day physically, I was on the whole main and that was key. Maybe it was just clean air but no major, game-changing things to the motorcycle or the program.

250SX West

Image: Octopi Media.

Obviously, today was your first 250SX win, you’re leaving here with the red plate, take us through those emotions and leading into the next rounds the motivation it’s going to bring. 

Yeah I would probably have better words tomorrow. It felt great, feels great right now. We had a really good day all day. I felt good in practice, qualified second and usually qualifying’s not my forte I guess, but we’ve improved on it. Won my heat race and then just didn’t get the best start in the main. I focused forward and did my best and it felt great. It still does. To win is amazing, it’s my first win and to win here in Daytona is even cooler. On top of that we’re going into the third round with the red plate and it’s very motivating. We’re going to continue to work this week and go to texas with some good momentum.

What will you remember about your first victory, say 20 years from now? You said you’ll have more words tomorrow, if you could think about tonight when you get older, what do you think you’ll remember?

Honestly going over the finish line and getting to ride up to the wall and do that burnout. That’s probably one thing that you’ll never forget. That feels good and then getting over to the podium and pulling up to the team and everyone that’s done all the work together. It was pretty emotional and was really fun. We really enjoyed it, so yeah those are the two things that I’ll always remember for sure. They always say your first one feels good and it really does, so I’m stoked.

It wasn’t that long ago that you got a fill-in ride at TLD, you were kind of a last-minute spot at Pro Circuit. You’re the points leader now, you just won Daytona. It’s really a cool spot where you can kind of tell other riders, ‘Hey I was at the bottom of the barrel there for a bit and I had to fight for another job, and now look how things have turned.’ So you’ve got to be super stoked on where you’ve been and where you’re going right now. 

Yeah, totally. I mean I don’t want to put this crazy huge rags to riches story together you know but, that’s kind of how my story went right? You know I’ve had some really good opportunities throughout my career, even starting my pro career going back to riding for the MotoConcepts guys and they believed in me and there have been so many people along the way who have believed in me. At times when I would go into the off-season when I had no ride, I would just go buy a bike and keep training. I think those are the times that make this win this much sweeter and what makes it feel this good. Because those times are tough but yeah I feel like I’ve earned my keep here and I’m really excited to be in this position.