Seth Hammaker had an outside shot at winning the 250SMX World Championship in Las Vegas, and for a moment it looked like he might actually get it done when Haiden Deegan took Jo Shimoda out while leading Shimoda was leading the second moto. Hammaker whizzed right by, much like Tom Vialle rolled right by when Hammaker and RJ Hampshire were on the ground in Salt Lake City, and rode to the 250SX East Division Championship. Shimoda would recover and win the championship, but Hammaker still put in a fantastic performance to finish second on the night, and in the championship. We caught up with him immediately afterward to ask about his role in a wild Las Vegas night.
Racer X: I think the last time I interviewed you was right after Salt Lake City, right after another end of a championship. Fair to say this one was easier to swallow.
Seth Hammaker: Absolutely, by far.
Well take us through the day. You had an outside shot at the championship.
Yeah. There were a few things that needed to happen for it to line up, but it was never out of reach. And obviously with Haiden [Deegan] doing his thing, those moves, whatever you want to call it with Jo [Shimoda]. There was an opening there, and I think about halfway through the race, at one point, I was actually in position to win it. I’m going to do everything I can, but also I’m not going to take cheap shots at anyone. I race hard but I respect everyone I race against out there. I’m going to be clean about it.
Take us through that second moto when you came through and saw Shimoda and Deegan on the ground. I have to think you had visions of Salt Lake City when you saw those dudes on the ground. Did you think you were going to Tom Vialle your way into it?
Yeah, I saw them on the ground and I was like, ‘Here we go!’ That’s what I thought might happen and at that point I just tried to win the race, and I did. I can’t control what happens behind me though. I’m still super happy with second, and I’m thankful to be in the position I am. I’m looking forward to next season and building this foundation into next year.
Did you get a shot of adrenaline when you saw them on the ground?
Yeah, I did, for sure. I was like, ‘Here we go! Here we go!’
Were you aware of what was going on with Shimoda and Deegan? I don’t remember how far behind them you were when all that was happening.
I could see everything, yeah. It was pretty wild. Haiden was getting in front of him, slowing him down, and Jo couldn’t do anything. But he couldn’t slow down too much because I was coming, and the rest of the pack was coming. It was a bad spot for Jo to be in. But if I couldn’t win, I would rather have seen Jo win, and he did.
When you’re in that position and you see all that going down, and you’re coming, you’re catching them, are you trying to figure out what you’re going to do if Deegan starts pulling those moves on you too?
When I saw it was like, ‘All right, let me just stay close enough to capitalize if I can,’ and that’s exactly what happened. I didn’t know what was going to happen though, and I didn’t want to get involved in it if I didn’t have to. I needed some riders to finish between us, so I would have needed some help there. I just stayed close enough to capitalize. I didn’t want to get into it.
Did I hear you say in your previous interview you’re having surgery?
Yeah, shoulder surgery on Tuesday. I’ll fly out tomorrow, get surgery on Tuesday, and start the process of healing as soon as possible.
How long have you been dealing with a bad shoulder?
Since February. All year. They tape me up every time.
