story by Chris Roy
NELCAR returns to New Hampshire Motor Speedway to race on the “Mini Magic Mile”, and Rookie driver Ryan Hammar, is ready to make some magic. Finishing in the top 10 every race this season at NHMS, and with a best finish of 5th place. I asked Ryan, if he was all set for this weekends race? “With the new setup it should be a good run.”
Unlike most ovals tracks that NELCAR races on, the legends oval course at NHMS, is sort of “D” shaped with a flat front stretch and a high banked back stretch (turns 1 and 2 of the full size oval course). Ryan explains, “The key to getting around the oval at NHMS is proper throttle and brake control. Also keeping it tight to other drivers on the track.”
Though when it comes to choosing a favorite track at NHMS, (the road or the oval course), Ryan loves turning left and right on the 1.6 mile road course. “I personally love the road course at NHMS. With more shifting and higher speeds, it makes it a lot more exciting.”
The dominating force at NHMS in the legends series is Shaun Buffington, who has won 5 times this season. So I asked Ryan if he learned anything racing with Shaun? “Actually yes! For the short period of time I was following Shaun, I learned different positions to get on the brake and get back on the throttle.”
Hammar made the move from karting last season to legends cars this year. I asked why legends cars? “Well after winning championships in karting, I decided to take on something more challenging and faster! With the great organization around legend cars it just makes it so much better.” Ryan enjoys racing in the NELCAR series, “Everything is perfect with the drivers and community, but if there could be one change. I would try to change the number of tracks we race at.”
Ryan is currently 6th in the NELCAR standings and is leading the “2011 Rookie of the Year” points. With a comfortable lead of 143 points over fellow rookie Dan Winter. Though with a 4 points race left this season anything could happen, and it could come down to the last race. I asked Ryan if he could hold off the “Winter Storm”, and become the 2011 Rookie of the Year? “I strongly believe so. With the way the car has been performing and how me and Darren (Johnson) are improving driving and setup wise, it will further more increase our point lead.”
Safety is always important when racing, either on the track or in the car. So I always ask what would you do to improve the safety? Ryan answered, “Everyone and every car is very safe. I would just highly suggest the HANS device, which helps with neck support.”
So before he starts going back to class and hitting the books, Ryan looks to Drop the Hammar one more time at NHMS and hopefully make his first trip to victory lane, to end the summer with sweet smell of asphalt, rubber, and victory.
