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AMA ATV Motocross Nationals
Round #5 - Sunset Ridge
Walnut,
IL
May 7, 2011
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AMA ATV MX Nationals
- Sunset Ridge - Pro ATV Race Report
Hometown Hero, Chad Wienen,
Wins, Joel Hetrick & Josh Upperman Podium
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AMA
ATV Motocross Nationals
Round #5 - Sunset Ridge MX |
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Walnut,
IL (5/7/2011) –
Can-Am/Motoworks’ Chad Wienen swept both motos
at his home track of Sunset Ridge for the overall
win and took back the pro points lead, however,
one of the biggest surprises of the day was the
impressive performance by rookie Joel Hetrick, who
grabbed both moto holeshots and made his way to
the number two spot on the podium where he was joined
by Baldwin Motorsports’ Josh Upperman, who
claimed third.
Sunset Ridge, which is the home track of Can-Am/Motoworks’
Chad Wienen, showed its favoritism to its hometown
hero as Wienen took both moto wins as family and
friends cheered him on. Chad Wienen took the ATVRiders.com
fastest qualifier award and backed it up with
an amazing moto one win.
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T.O.P's
44 Chad Wienen goes for the pass on #88
Joel Hetrick in Moto One |
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Once
out front, Can-Am / Motoworks' Chad Wienen
he pulled away from the pack for the easy
Moto win |
After a rather disappointing round four, Chad
Wienen was back in top form as he charged off
the start in third and chased down teammate John
Natalie and Joel Hetrick, taking over the lead
after just two laps. Once out front, Wienen began
to pull a huge a gap and crossed the finish line
with a 12 second lead.
“Everything just really came around today.
The track was really good and I was able to get
out front early and just pull away. Joel and John
road a great race and I have to give them props,”
said Wienen from the moto one podium.
The second moto, Wienen got off to a second place
start behind Joel Hetrick. Wienen played it smart
and waited for an opportunity to get by and soon
was able to take over the lead. Wienen began to
pull away, but John Natalie was not far off and
a bobble late in the moto almost cost Wienen the
lead.
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| Once
again, #44 Chad Wienen had to work his way
to the front with the pass on Josh Upperman
& Joel Hetrick to take the lead early
on in the race |
#13
John Natalie began to close the gap on #44
Chad Wienen in the final few laps of the
race, but a mechanical issue for Natalie
sealed the deal for another win for Wienen |
“I just had to try and pick good lines
and be careful out there because John was right
there,” explained Wienen who held on for
his second moto win. “The Can-Am DS450 just
rolled out there. It felt really good out there.
My hat’s off to Joel for getting both holeshots.
Hopefully I’ll get one of those this year,”
Wienen joked. “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,”
said Wienen, who is back in the points lead.
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| #44
Chad Wienen celebrated the win with his
family & friends after the race |
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