Tight battle for rookie of year honors
Rookie leaders Cash Wyke (#20) and Evan Hammond (#39) batlle earlier this season at Anderson Speedway. (Aaron Skillman photo)
By Ken de la Bastide
Which one of three drivers will be crowned the Redline Ace Rookie of the Year in the Kenyon Midget Series for 2023? With just two races remaining Cash Wyke, Evan Hammond and Kyle Sheard are in a tight battle for the honors with remaining events at the Indianapolis Speedrome and Anderson Speedway. Wyke leads Hammond by just seven points with Sheard 51 markers back, despite missing the opening race of the season at Anderson Speedway.
Wyke has led the chase for rookie of the year honors for much of the season. During Dirty August Wyke scored only one top-ten finish which allowed Hammond and Sheard to close the gap.
Wyke finished third at the first Speedrome race and has finishes of eighth and fourth at the two Anderson races. “I've had some success on those two tracks,” he said of the Speedrome and Anderson. “I've had a couple of DNFs (did not finish), but have been able to stay on top. My goal coming into the season was to win rookie of the year,” Wyke said. “It's been a good battle all year with Evan (Hammond).”
Hammond has recorded five top ten finishes this year, including a sixth in the second race at Anderson. “The battle is real tight,” Evan said. “The three of us have been battling all year.” Hammond said there were periods of time during the year the car has been fast but the team had to deal with some bad breaks. “Overall, I'm happy with the year,” he said. “I learned a lot. Winning rookie of the year would be my greatest accomplishment in my racing career. I didn't expect much this year and just planned to learn as much as I could and make forward progress.”
Rookie contender Kyle Sheard scored his first K&K Marketing Fast Qualifier award in July at Berlin raceway. (Aaron Skillman photo)
Hammond said in the first Speedrome race he had a problem with the car. “I'm looking to redeem myself,” he said. “We've been working hard in the garage all week.” Hammond said with the series making a third visit to Anderson he believes the team has a good set-up for the high banked quarter-mile oval. “I would like to qualify well and start up front,” he said.
Sheard has seven top ten finishes during the year including a fifth at the Anderson race. During Dirty August he had three top ten finishes and gained ground on both Wyke and Hammond. “I'm trying to go after it,” he said of rookie of the year honors. “Being in the position to contend for the honor is a shock to us because we missed the first race. Since then I've been able to put myself in a position to contend for rookie of the year,” Sheard said. “I'm excited about going back to the Speedrome and Anderson,” he said. “Right now I'm in the mix and have been gaining 30 and 35 points each race.”