New Zealander Cole Davies was unstoppable in Indianapolis, sweeping the 250SX East Triple Crown with a perfect 1-1-1 result to claim the overall and take charge of the points-lead. In this Fast Thoughts feature, the Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing rider recalls his first win of 2026.

Image: Octopi Media.

Getting a first win of the year…

Yeah, I’d say it’s a bit of a relief to get this win. I’ve been kind of, I would say, too antsy the first couple rounds. I’ve kind of settled in now and everything’s kind of a bit calmer. And racing, just letting the race come to me. So that’s been better. I’m just happy with my riding. It was a good weekend.

Learning from the Glendale Triple Crown error last year…

Yeah, I would say I learned from last year from that. Last year, I would say I had got the first two wins and I was almost too overconfident going to the last race, so I kind of just tried to stay a little grounded, a little humble going to the last race and just celebrate after. It’s not over till it’s over. So yeah, learned from last year and got some redemption this year.

Image: Octopi Media.

What’s clicked in year two…

I’d say everything. Just confidence, experience, learning from last year and putting it all into this year. So yeah, I feel like I’m doing that.

The secret behind that impressive whoop speed…

I don’t know. I don’t want to give all my secrets away, but I’d just say it’s good technique and confidence. That leads to just being good at them.

Getting off the start better compared to Alrington and Daytona…

I’d just say it’s more executing. I feel like the first two starts of the season were a little weird, like the start straights, I mean. Like very short, the dirt had big holes in it. The first round had a double apex turn. It was kind of weird. The first two round starts were just, I feel like the starts weren’t really very good. I felt like this was a bit more of a normal start other than the drop. But yeah, it was a good night.

Image: Octopi Media.

Any difficulties with the Indy track…

I wouldn’t say so. You know, I had pretty good precision. You know, I went axe throwing last night. So I’d say that’s what led to this win. I just had good precision everywhere from the axe throwing last night.

Mindset shift coming into the weekend…

I’d say just executing my starts was the main focus and then just riding my race from there, letting it come to me. I’d say the first two rounds I didn’t get a good start and then I went down just being too antsy, just wanting to go, wanting to get it done. So I just kind of calmed down a bit and let the race come to me. I felt like that was a lot better for me.