Late last night, news broke about a training injury to Seth Hamker. The Pennsylvania native suffered a practice crash and wrist injury that will sideline him for the opening round of the 2023 250SX East Region. Haymaker was set to race alongside Joe Shimoda in the 250SX East Region, beginning February 4 in Houston, Texas.
Hamker took to Instagram to reveal some details about himself.
“Devastated is an understatement. Crashed yesterday during practice in preparation for round 1 of east coast. Fractured hand/wrist. Having surgery Friday to fix that. It’s been a great off season so far. So Felt like I had all the pieces in place to compete for the win and be in the title fight. Now focusing on what I can control and using that to fuel the fire and come back strong! Grateful for the good people behind me who have helped ease the situation and continue to be behind me @pcraceteam @racekawasaki,
The 2021 250SX Rookie of the Year started the 2022 season with second and third in the first two 250SX West Regionals before a practice crash sidelined him for the remainder of the Supercross season. He returned and had some solid rides in Lucas Oil Pro Motocross. In October 2022, Haymaker announced that he had signed a new two-year deal with Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki, which would see him at the team through the 2024 season. Hamker said in an Instagram post that he suffered a hand/wrist fracture and would have surgery on Friday.
The team currently has Cameron McAdoo Racing 250SX West Region and Carson Mumford has been brought into the squad as a fill-in for Austin Forkner, who is out for the remainder of Supercross with a knee injury. McAdoo has two third places to start the season and is third in the 250SX West region standings after two rounds.
Jett Reynolds is also part of the squad but has been sidelined due to injury. Rider DeFrancesco was expected to race in the Supercross Futures, but recently had surgery for a torn ligament in his thumb.
Below is the full press release from Kawasaki.
Foothill Ranch, California – Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Seth Haymaker will miss the opening round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Eastern Regional Championships on February 4 in Houston, Texas, due to a wrist injury sustained in a crash during practice. Hamker was on form to compete for the 250SX Eastern Regional Championship when a crash during a regular practice session left him with a wrist injury. Hamker consulted with medical professionals and it was determined that the injury would force him to miss the opening round of the 2023 Monster Energy Supercross Eastern Regional Championships.
Hamker, the 2021 Monster Energy Supercross ‘Rookie of the Year’ awardee, claimed two consecutive podium finishes in his 2022 Western Regional Championship debut and racked up eight top-10 overall finishes in the AMA Pro Motocross season. The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider carried the momentum into what was a productive off-season in preparation before this set back would delay him from his goal to challenge for the race win once again.
“Having an injury right before the start of the season is definitely disappointing,” Haymaker said. “My training has been going really well lately and I feel my speed and fitness are up to the level needed to race for a win. This injury will hold me back a bit, but I am completely focused on healing the injury and getting back to my highest level. But on getting back on track to compete.”
Further updates on Haymaker’s expected return to racing will be provided when available.
