Hammond looks to build on rookie season

Evan Hammond on the dirt at Circle City Raceway during the 2023 season. (Aaron Skillman photo)

By Ken de la Bastide

Coming off a late season charge that earned him the Redline Ace rookie of the year honors, Evan Hammond is looking to take the next step. Hammond closed out the 2023 season with a sixth place run at the Indianapolis Speedrome and a career best fourth at Anderson Speedway to earn rookie honors by a mere three-points over Cash Wyke.

“We're planning to run the full season,” Hammond said. “I think we're coming back with a pretty good car; we've done a lot of work over the off-season.”

He said the races scheduled on dirt ovals are the biggest opportunity for growth in 2024. Last year he recorded two top-ten finishes in the four dirt races with a best of sixth in the second Paragon Speedway race.

“I'm looking to improve on dirt,” Hammond said. “I'm looking to step up my game. Learn and get as much out of each race as possible.”

Hammond said he liked the dirt tracks, in particular the demanding quarter-mile Circle City Raceway.

He is also looking forward to returning to Berlin Raceway where he recorded his first heat race win. “I'm most excited about going back to Berlin because I've had some success there,” Hammond said.

As a returning veteran driver, Hammond believes he could be a challenger for a championship this year. “I think I definitely can get a feature win and be a contender for the championship,” he said.