Davi Millsaps’ youth belies his talent. In 2006, at the age of 18, he quickly put himself on the Supercross map when, shortly after he joined Honda Racing, he won the AMA Supercross East Lites crown on his CRF250R. The same year, Millsaps graduated to the 450 class for the AMA Motocross season and took third overall. Poised to make a big run toward dual championships in 2007, Millsaps broke his femur just before the Supercross season started, then suffered an inner ear injury halfway through his rehab.
2008 was all about new beginnings and Millsaps delivered some exceptional races, winning in Atlanta and Detroit and securing a fourth-place overall in the Supercross series.
“The 2008 season was really good. It was my first year on the 450 racing Supercross, and I ended up with two wins and eight podiums, said Millsaps. “I won my first race in Atlanta, and I can’t even begin to explain that feeling. Then I won in Detroit, which was pretty cool because I led from the first lap all the way to the 20th and I showed that I could race up front and not choke.”
The Atlanta win held special significance for Millsaps because he was joined on the podium by teammate Andrew Short and fellow Honda CRF450R racer Kevin Windham.
“It was definitely cool to see Honda on top of the podium—one-two-three. I think it was a big step for Honda and I think it really showed people that the Honda is a great bike and it’s a team to be reckoned with.”
Millsaps then dove headfirst into the grueling outdoor Motocross season in mid-May.
“You only have two weeks to get ready for outdoors, and then I got hurt halfway through. But it was a good half of a season that I raced.”
Although his injury cut an otherwise promising season short, Millsaps has recovered and he is confident about 2009.
“I separated my shoulder. It was somewhere between a second and third degree separation, and I broke my collarbone. So I had to rest for 10 weeks, but I’m healed now and I’m getting back into shape and I’ll be ready. I definitely want to make it through the whole outdoor season this year and really show what I can do.”
When it comes to Honda’s new CRF450R, Millsaps can hardly contain his enthusiasm.
“The new CRF450R is amazing. It turns a lot better and it’s a lot smaller. I feel like a giant on it but it’s definitely the way to go. I am just so pumped that I have stayed with Honda this year and I get to ride the new bike. It’s amazing what they have done with that bike from last year to this year.”
Millsaps is equally as animated when he talks about his personal goals.
“I want to show everyone that I can continue to run in everyone’s faces and stay up there. I want to battle out front.”