Aaron Plessinger on: Daytona Supercross Podium 1

Aaron Plessinger of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team has bucked the negative trend that has dwarfed his 2025 Monster Energy AMA Supercross campaign. Shockingly, he had failed to finish higher than seventh in the first seven rounds and therefore a podium at the Daytona International Speedway was a welcome deviant from what was quickly becoming his new norm.

The podium was not a complete shock; he had shown flashes of improvement in both Detroit and Arlington. The starting prowess that he has showcased has helped, without doubt, and that in itself indicates that it is potentially possible to replicate. Plessinger touched on his night – and what was his eighth career podium – in the post-race press conference on Saturday night.

Press Conference: Taking your finish out, how much fun was that race?

Aaron Plessinger: I had a lot of fun. I was up front and I have not been up front this year. Being out front and battling with these guys was really fun. This track is always fun. To get a podium here is pretty cool and I looked good doing it. 

The last few rounds have not been the best for you. Tonight was much better with a great start. What type of changes contributed to that? Was it the speedway or even just the crowd being so loud?

To be honest, I have had really bad luck. I was sick, and I know everybody has been sick, but I had unfortunate circumstances that kept me in the back. I got a good start tonight and was able to execute, which I have not been doing. The last couple of main event starts have been good, but I have fallen back. I have felt good and a little different this week. I have not changed much on the bike; I just felt good tonight.

You wore a Dale Earnhardt t-shirt on the podium and the Daytona fans loved that. Can you speak on what connection you feel with him?

Just coming here reminds me of him. Speedway tracks just have a different vibe and when we come to one, I feel a Dale vibe. It is just in the heart, I guess.

When you made that move for the lead, how would you rate that crowd?

It was sick. They were loud. It got so loud anytime anyone made a pass. That is one thing here – it gets crazy even though the fans are spread out. You always hear them. 

As much as you like this place, one of the low points in your career happened here when you hurt your heel. How do you find the balance of liking a place, but also [dealing with the fact that] a life changing thing happened here?

Yeah. In my rookie 450SX year, 2019, I shattered my heel here. That ruined that year, but I had one of my best finishes here the next year and then the year after that I had my first 450SX podium. To rebound like that is cool and it went from my least favorite place to one of my favorites.