Seth Hammaker Might Be Leading in Points—If Not for Some Bad Chicken

Seth Hammaker won his third ever professional race in Monster Energy AMA Supercross.

That was back in March of 2021 at Arlington 1.

Since that maiden win, Hammaker has dealt with numerous injuries, including a shoulder injury that cost him the entire 2024 Pro Motocross Championship. It’s been a long, winding road back to victory lane, but Hammaker got his biggest win at the 250SX East/West Showdown Saturday night in Indianapolis.

“It’s been a while since I’ve even stood on the top step of the podium, only once ever before this one, so it feels good to finally do it,” he said in the post-race press conference. “And a lot of changes I’ve made this year, a lot of sacrifice moving to Florida to the Dog Pound [Lawrences’ Compound] and just very grateful and thankful and the work’s paying off. But yeah, this one this one feels really good.”

Carrying the Torch for Pro Circuit

With Mitch Payton’s Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki squad battered by injuries—Cameron McAdoo, Ty Masterpool, Levi Kitchen, and Drew Adams all currently sidelined—Hammaker finds himself as the team’s lone active rider in the 250SX East Division (Garrett Marchbanks contests the 250SX West Division). Despite that, he insists he’s not letting it change his approach.

“I try not to let it create any more pressure,” he said. “I have my job to do, and it’s unfortunate to lose the teammates. But I need to focus on what I need to and not try to change my mindset just because I’m the only rider on the East Division right now. I need to keep my head down and do my work, keep the mindset the same.

“And yeah, it sucks,” he added. “Shout out to Levi and Cameron, hope they’re healing up and we get them back soon. But yeah, I mean, just gotta keep doing my thing and try not to let that affect me or create any more added pressure.”

Championship Chase: The What-If Factor

With his Indianapolis win, Hammaker now sits just 11 points behind Tom Vialle in the 250SX East Championship standings. But in an alternate reality, he might be holding the red plate right now.

If not for a piece of bad chicken in Detroit that resulted in food poisoning and a 17th place finish, Hammaker might be the sole leader heading into the week off.

“Looking back, you want to get that one back,” he said on the PulpMX Show on Monday. “I just think about even just a couple points before the red flag I was in 14th. I would have even taken a couple more.”

Despite the adversity, Hammaker has momentum on his side and a week off to reset before the next round in Birmingham. If his Indianapolis performance was any indication, he’s just getting started.