SETH HAMMAKER INTERVIEW: FROM LOWS TO HIGHS, PERSISTENCE IS KEY

Consider this fact; it was four years ago when Seth Hammaker won the 2021 Arlington Supercross. That was in the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider’s pro rookie season! What has Seth been doing since? Well, he’s been taking podiums and visiting hospitals. However, the now 24-year-old has taken a different approach for 2025. Leaving California and relocating to Florida, Hammaker has made moves to switch up his riding and training. And it seems to be paying off as Seth won the recent East/West 250 showdown at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis-besting every 250-class rider. Along with his Indy win, Seth has moved up to third in the 250 East Coast Supercross championship. I should add, that while of course Hammaker was happy, many others in the pro pits and media were congratulating the likable native Pennsylvanian. 

BY JIM KIMBALL

SETH, IT’S FUNNY, AS WHEN WE SPOKE ON PRESS DAY BEFORE YOUR WIN AT LUCAS OIL STADIUM, I ASKED IF YOU WERE READY TO WIN, AND YOU QUIETLY BUT CONFIDENTLY SAID “YES”. Yes, that’s true; we were talking about that. I even thought about that today after I won.

Seth had been building in each race and has shown amazing moments of speed. In Indianapolis he was unstoppable.

IT’S BEEN ABOUT FOUR YEARS SINCE YOUR FIRST WIN AT THE ARLINGTON SUPERCROSS BACK IN 2021; WHICH WIN IS MORE SATISFYING? You know, that is a difficult question. Your first win always stands out for sure. But, since that win, I’ve had so many injuries, and been up and down, this one may be best.

TALK ABOUT YOUR PODIUM AT DAYTONA. HOW IMPORTANT WAS THAT FOR YOUR CONFIDENCE COMING INTO INDY, ESPECIALLY WITH THE BAD LUCK THE OTHER TEAM MEMBERS SUFFERED? It was nice to be back on the box, the second year in a row there at Daytona. I got third, two years in a row there, so that felt good. It was a bummer for Levi (Kitchen) and Cameron (McAdoo). It was somewhat of a bittersweet night for the team. But yeah, I was happy to get on the box for them and gain good momentum coming into the East/West showdown here at Indy. I am feeling pretty good going into our break.

After battling injury for many years, Hammaker is taking a new approach just trying to make it through the season.

YOU HAVE SAID THAT YOU SWITCHED UP YOUR TRAINING. Yes, I am trying this year, especially. I feel my mindset has changed to be a little bit smarter. And my technique changes have helped me be able to do that. That is what we worked on this off-season to try to become a better technical rider, and a safer rider as well. To try not to have those moments where I must push too hard or push out of my comfort zone to where those things might happen, to where I would get injured in the past.  I feel like it is important for me this year to try to keep doing that for the rest of the season indoors and outdoors. And then at SMX so I can get through a whole season and just build momentum.

YOU ARE LIVING IN FLORIDA, AND TRAINING AT THE DOG POUND, RIGHT? Yes, I am enjoying it a lot. I love being in Florida now. It feels more like the East Coast where I grew up in Pennsylvania.  I really enjoy that and a great group of guys where I am training. I feel like it has been beneficial, and I am having fun doing it. I am looking forward to keep progressing and learning throughout the season and hopefully, it keeps paying off.

His win in Indianapolis can help build momentum for the rest of the season.

LET ME FINISH UP WITH JUST A QUESTION ABOUT THE EAST-WEST SHOWDOWN. HOW WAS IT TO WIN, VERSUS THE  NORMAL EAST COAST SERIES YOU’RE IN? I’m very happy to win the shootout! I think it is very cool that we have a couple of them a year to get all the 250 guys together. As far as how I look at it, I think it is a good way to make up some points if you are in the right position. Ultimately, it would be just nice to finish in front of the East Coast guys I am racing, but if you can fit a couple of West Coast guys in between, as I did, that’s best!