Would've been even better if he said, "You're right, I don't know what it's like, and I can't run faster than you. But I'll still beat you in a race."
Still, this is the first time he's shown interest in defending himself and one-upping someone else instead of blending into the background. Surely he of all people should know this would feed a demon, and it'd be better to let things go. Interesting to see where this takes him.