Can-Am/ Motoworks Chad Wienen placed first overall and regained the points lead by placing first in both motos

Vista, CA (5/9/2011) – Motoworks’ Big Chad Wienen came on strong at his home track at Sunset Ridge to take both moto wins and reclaim the pro points lead, while teammate John Natalie rode strong and gave Wienen a good fight until the very end at round five of the 2011 AMA ATV Motocross Championship Series.

Great weather and excellent track conditions were on hand as racers took to the line in Walnut, IL. The points battle has been intense between teammates Chad Wienen and John Natalie, Jr. all season with Wienen winning the first two rounds, and Natalie dominating at rounds three and four. Natalie took over the points lead after a muddy round four hampered Wienen’s efforts, but with the support of his hometown fans, Wienen charged to the front and took back the points lead after a two moto sweep.

Chad Wienen rode smart all day and recorded the fastest lap of the day with a time of 01:45.110 at Sunset Ridge MX

Wienen was in a solid third off the start in the first moto behind John Natalie and leader Joel Hetrick. Wienen was able to make the pass on Natalie early in the moto and then chased down Hetrick, taking the lead after just a two laps. Wienen recorded the fastest lap of the day in lap four with a time of 01:45.110 that helped propel him to a 12 second lead over the competition as he crossed the finish line.

“Everything just really came around today. The track was really good and I was able to get out front early and just pull away,” stated Wienen after the first moto.

The number 44 was off to an even better start in moto two as he was in second behind Joel Hetrick. With the track getting rougher, Wienen played it smart and waited for a good opportunity to get by the young rookie. Wienen got his chance in lap five, but he was not alone for long as John Natalie was gaining ground and closed in in the final laps. Natalie was pressuring Wienen, but just before the finish line, Natalie fell back after encountering mechanical issues, giving Wienen an easy win and the pro points lead.

“It’s very special for me to win here at home. All my family and friends are here supporting me so it’s really special for me to be able to come out here and do well. I have to thank Can-Am and Motoworks; they have done such a great job all season and I couldn’t be up here without all their support,” said Wienen.

Can-Am/ Motoworks John Natalie was running strong in both motos but ran into a mechanical issue in moto 2 placing him 6th overall in the ATV Pro Class

John Natalie had an excellent run in the first moto as he charged hard and claimed a solid second place behind Wienen. “We set some blazing fast lap times and we knew it was going to get rough, but we were able to come around and do well this first moto,” stated Natalie. Unfortunately for Natalie, moto two would not go according to plan for the number 13 racer. Natalie was looking good as he charged his way into second after fourth place start and was closing in on leader Chad Wienen. Just a lap after recording the fastest lap-time of the moto, Natalie’s charge was ended with just one lap to go to the checkered flag with a mechanical issue. Natalie’s bad luck would put him back in sixth place overall and cost him the points lead.

“I’m disappointed but I think this just gives me extra motivation to come out at Steel City and win!” stated Natalie.

Round number six of the 2011 AMA ATV Motocross Championships will be heading to Delmont, PA on May 21st for the always popular Steel City round, where Chad Wienen and John Natalie will battle it out once again as Wienen tries to fend off his teammate and keep the points lead.