Muskegon's Ryan Hamm wins at Berlin Raceway in memory of mom and daughter

Muskegon's Ryan Hamm wins at Berlin Raceway in memory of mom and daughter
By Steve Ungrey
The Grand Rapids Press
May 22, 2010, 11:35PM

MARNE -- Ryan Hamm charged across the finish line to the roar of the crowd, taking the checkered flag.

If it were possible for Hamm to look up into the sky, he might have signaled a thank you to his mother. Instead, he and his brother Kyle enjoyed a bittersweet celebration in Berlin Raceway’s Victory Lane on Saturday night after Ryan won the the 4-Cylinder A race and Kyle finished third.

The Hamms, who live in the Muskegon area, had just experienced another family tragedy. Their mother, Stephanie Gross, died this week after a five-year battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Last June, Ryan's 6-month-old daughter, Ashlynn, died from complications after being born three months premature.

“She was 50 years old and put up an awesome fight before dying Thursday," Ryan said of their mother. "She just couldn’t hold on anymore. It was really close to my daughter’s death by a year.”

Gross' last appearance at the track was early in the 2009 season.

The Hamms said taking the weekend off from racing was not an option.

“She wouldn’t want anything different. She was a big fan of racing and she supported us 100 percent,” Kyle said.
“With her disease progressing, she wasn’t able to get out here, but the last time she was out here was special for us. So far, it’s been a really good season.”

Ryan added: “I knew our car was good in practice today. My brother’s car and mine are close to being identical, and my old man (Jamie Hamm) has put an awful lot of work into them.

"When I was first across the line, I couldn’t even see straight. I couldn’t explain it. It was awesome.”

Both cars have the words “In loving memory of our baby girl Ashlynn Elizabeth” on the rear left and right sides. In addition, the word “Mom” is handpainted inside a heart on the passenger side of each vehicle, facing the stands.

In the first 4-Cylinder race of the season, Kyle finished second and Ryan was third.