INTERVIEW: SETH HAMMAKER

After narrowly missing out on winning the 2025 AMA 250SX East title, Seth Hammaker is intent on going one better this season. But, unlike many American riders, this 25-year-old expresses those intentions in modest, humble language.

A member of the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki race team since first turning professional back in 2021, Pennsylvania rider Seth Hammaker has experienced some radical highs and lows along the way during his young career with the Corona-based SoCal enterprise. Having now stablished himself as one of the organisation’s sturdiest and most respected racers, Hammaker won main events at Indianapolis and East Rutherford during the 250SX East Region Supercross Championship in 2025 on his march towards a spirted runner-up finish in the overall championship standings.

“At the test track, it’s like everybody just puts the egos to the side and we all just work on what we need to work on and improve for what makes us perform at our best on Saturdays.”

With the 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship now up and running in top gear, Hammaker has been toiling away back in Florida, bashing out the testing and training laps at the Dog Pound in Dade City in preparation for the opening round of the 2026 250SX East Region Supercross Championship, set for February 21, 2026, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Taking a breather from his relentless training campaign in the Sunshine State, we tracked down Hammaker and got his take on just what has been going on with the fifth-year Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki competitor. Take it away, Seth…

“I’m in Florida right now,” pointed out Seth Hammaker, straight out of the Dog Pound. “Yeah, we just got back on supercross this past week and I’m feeling really good. I’ve been back here for three weeks now. I came back and I started on the turn track and then a week of outdoors and then got back on supercross. I’m feeling good.”

“I think dialling it in the last few seasons for me has gotten easier as I learned what I like and how I can relay that information to our suspension guys.”

Hammaker talked about the contingent of riders he’s been putting in track time with at the Dog Pound.

“Been riding with Jett and Hunter Lawrence, Chance Hymas and Drew Adams. It’s the best, man. It’s awesome. It’s like everybody just puts the egos to the side and we all just work on what we need to work on and improve for what makes us perform at our best on Saturdays. It’s pretty cool.”

“I’ve been working on the footwork. Hands in the right spot. Elbows in the right spot. Just being neutral on the bike – especially in the whoops.”

The enthused Hammaker continued to explain just what he has been focusing and working on while putting in the track time in Florida.

“I’ve just been trying to dial in getting back to the stuff I learned last year as far as technique and all the body position stuff. Been working on the footwork. Hands in the right spot. Elbows in the right spot. Just being neutral on the bike – especially in the whoops, where I’m not getting too far in front or too far in the back. And also working on being smooth and being able to log consistent laps at a pace where you’re comfortable at. Maybe at an 80-percent pace. That way, if you need to step it up at any time during the race, or if you need to put a few sprint laps in to catch somebody or pass another competitor, then you can have that extra energy.

“Mitch Payton has been working hard and we’re going to have a new engine package for this year. More bottom-end and torque is what we were looking for, and he’s been crushing it on that.”

“And things with the new bike have been going smooth so far,” continued Hammaker, of sorting out the 2026 Kawasaki KX250 for the East Region stadiums. “I had a good set-up last year, but we’re always trying to improve. We made a couple of changes just to help rider comfort. Mitch Payton has been working hard on the engine and we’re going to have a new engine package for this year. More bottom-end and torque is what we were looking for, and he’s been crushing it on that. Our bikes are always top notch, so looking forward to putting it up front this season. The suspension work has also been good. I think dialling it in the last few seasons for me has gotten easier as I learned what I like and how I can relay that information to our suspension guys. I’ve been really happy. Even the improvements we continue to make has been awesome.”

Five years into his racing relationship with the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki race team, Hammaker firmly believes the collaboration has only grown stronger and more resolute.

“I just want to go out there and believe in myself and see where I end up. I think Mitch expects me to be there for the championship. And I’d love to deliver one for him.”

“This will be my fifth year with the team and it’s awesome that I’ve had all the experience with Mitch and Iain Southwell and all the guys that help us out. It’s cool to be around for that long just to continue the growth and the relationship with a great group of people. It makes my job a lot easier, as well. I enjoy every year, but the more I go, the more I’m able to enjoy it and soak in the good moments. I truly believe that Mitch is behind me. He’s loyal to you as long as you are focused and if you work hard. Through the ups and downs and injuries that I’ve had, Mitch has always stuck behind me. Yeah, I’m grateful for that because it has given me an opportunity to showcase what I’m capable of. To have a spot on that team is always something I totally appreciate. I think Mitch expects me to be there for the championship. And I’d love to deliver one for him.”

Dispatched to the 250SX East Region Supercross Championship for the 2026 season, Seth Hammaker has one main objective he’s keen to meet.

“I’m going after the championship,” said Hammaker. “That’s the goal. I would like to just be consistent in order to get that championship. I think that’s what it is going to take. I want to try and be top five and on the podium each round. I want to get good starts and stay out of trouble and just try and do my thing and let everything fall into place.”

A race winner and full-on championship contender, Hammaker knows he has what it takes to snag an AMA Pro Racing title.

“Yeah, I believe I can do it,” declared Hammaker. “I have all the tools and the people behind me to accomplish it. I just want to go out there and believe in myself and see where I end up.”

And Hammaker’s stoked to be lining up in the East Region, come of the mid-Feb gate drop at AT&T Stadium in the Lone Star State.

“Yeah, I like the East Region a little better. I think I like the dirt better and I like racing in the football stadiums rather than the baseball stadiums. That’s kind of what I like. And just from being from the East Coast, there are a couple of races that friends and family can get to, which is always nice.”

Just who does Hammaker anticipate fighting for the 250SX East title that so many others are desperate to contend for?

“There are going to be a lot of good guys,” answered the Pennsylvanian. “Can’t count anybody out. You never know who is going to show up and be on it. I think Cole Davies is one guy that sticks out and that I feel like is going to be really good. Drew Adams, my teammate. Just a bunch of guys, really. Like I said, you can’t count anybody out and you have to be ready for whoever is ready to throw down that night.

“I’m just going to go into the opening round in Texas calm and confident and to execute what I need to execute and worry about myself. I just want to log consistent laps and have a solid first race and try and be on that podium. Racing is a beast of its own, so you’ve got to show up ready and as prepared as you can possibly be to accomplish your goals. I just need to work on my consistency and try not to have any bad races. If you can minimise that to, say, like a fifth-place finish at the end of the night, that’s really not that bad. You just want to limit the mistakes as much as possible. And racing supercross, I love it. I kind of dig supercross a little more as far as the technical aspect. There is not much room for error, but I feel like when you get a full-on supercross, there is nothing like it. The feeling of that is just something hard to beat.”

And Seth Hammaker’s main focus for 2026?

“I mean, the goal is to win the championship. That’s what my eyes are focused on. I feel like I’m more than capable of doing that and I’m confident. I just need to put in my work and my time and go out there on the weekends and get the job done.”