|
AMA ATV Motocross Nationals
Round #1 - Can-Am Aonia Pass
Washington, GA
February 26, 2011
|
|
Can-Am/Motoworks' Chad
Wienen Dominates Aonia Pass MX
Can-Am's John Natalie &
Baldwin Motorsports' Josh Upperman Round out
Podium
| AMA
ATV Motocross Nationals
Round #1 - Can-Am Aonia Pass |
|
|
|
Washington,GA
(2/26/2011) – Coming off a strong
finish last season, both Motoworks/Can-Am Pro riders
were heavy favorites coming into the first round
of the AMA ATVMX Championship, presented by DWT.
With beautiful, sunny temperatures in the 70's,
conditions could not have been better for the season
opener at Aonia Pass MX in Washington, Ga.
Josh Upperman grabbed the moto one holeshot aboard
his Baldwin Motorsports Honda, taking over the
lead early on. Motoworks/Can-Am riders Natalie
and Wienen weren't letting Upperman out of their
sight, though. Pro class Rookie Joel Hetrick got
a great holeshot behind the veteran riders. On
lap 5, Natalie went over the berm, allowing his
teammate Wienen to cruise on by for the second
place position. Hetrick also capitalized on Natalie's
mistake, moving himself into the third spot behind
Wienen. It didn't take Wienen long to make his
way past Upperman and cruise on for the moto one
victory. Natalie finished out in second behind
Wienen with early on leader Josh Upperman capping
the top three. As rider and owner of Joe Byrd
Quad Racing School, Byrd put in a solid ride to
capture fourth overall with Walsh Race Crafts
Suzuki rider Jeremy Lawson rounding out the top
five.
"It was a picture perfect day out there,
the bike is working great and I couldn't ask for
more," said points leader Chad Wienen. "I've
been working really hard on the off-season and
with a great start today, it all came together,"
Wienen added.
Harold Goodman captured the moto two holeshot,
with moto one winner Chad Wienen breathing down
his neck. Wienen made his way around Goodman right
away, setting his machine on autopilot for the
rest of the race. Motoworks/Can-Am teammate John
Natalie got around Goodman as well, and then settled
in behind Wienen to take over a comfortable second.
Josh Upperman took over the third spot and never
looked back as he carried his Baldwin Motorsports
Honda to the final podium spot. Tough luck for
Factory Yamaha rider Thomas Brown, as he had bike
problems in both motos.
The real story here is Rookie Joel Hetrick, who
finished an impressive sixth place overall in
his first ever-Pro race. After getting a third
place holeshot in moto one, Hetrick has proved
that he has what it takes to run with the big
dogs in the Pro class.
"I started off the first moto in third place
and lost three more spots after I tensed up,"
the Rookie said. "Second moto I got a bad
holeshot, like thirteenth, and I worked my way
up just trying to stay calm and race. My goal
for next week is to get in the top five,"
said Hetrick.
Motoworks/Can-Am rider Chad Wienen heads into
round two of the series as the points leader,
with teammate John Natalie sitting 6 points behind.
Josh Upperman is just 10 points out from the lead,
making for a much-anticipated 2011 season.
The AMA ATV Motocross Championship Series heads
to Millcreek MX Park in Pell City, Ala., with
Pro class racing starting at 1 p.m. Saturday,
supported by 37 amateur classes throughout Saturday
and Sunday. For more information, please visit
www.atvmotocross.com.
AMA Pro ATV Top 10 Race Results
1. Chad Wienen (CAN)
2. John Natalie (CAN)
3. Josh Upperman (HON)
4. Jeremy Lawson (HON)
5. Joe Byrd (KAW)
6. Joel Hetrick (KAW)
7. Nick Denoble (HON)
8. Chase Snapp (CAN)
9. Travis Moore (HON)
10. Harold Goodman (HON)
AMA ATV Motocross Championship Top 10
Pro Point Standings
1. Chad Wienen (50) 2. John Natalie (44) 3. Josh
Upperman (40) 4. Josh Lawson (34) 5. Joe Byrd
(34) 6. Joel Hetrick (30) 7. Nick Denoble (28)
8. Chase Snapp (26) 9. Travis Moore (24) 10. Herold
Goodman (22)
|
