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Monster Energy
Kawasaki’s Wienen Dominates Both Motos for
Kawasaki’s First ATV Overall National Win
Irvine, Calif.– Monster Energy Kawasaki’s
Chad Wienen earned his first overall win of the
season with two perfect motos at the fifth round
of the AMA ATV Motocross Championship at Sunset
Ridge MX in Walnut, Ill., making it Kawasaki’s
first ATV national overall win since the
manufacturer started racing in 2007. The special
win came at Wienen’s hometown track in front of
many friends and family. Teammate Josh Creamer
was just off the podium in fourth, while
Kawasaki’s Cody Gibson went 1-1 in the Pro Am
Production class.
Back On Top
Wienen has experienced the top of
the podium before, but it wasn’t until his
hometown race that he was able to claim his
first win of this season. Wienen started the day
by earning the top qualifying spot. He then went
on to lead nearly every lap in both motos,
establishing himself as the one to watch at the
upcoming rounds.
“I had pretty high expectations going into this
race,” said Wienen. “I was second at the
previous two rounds and I really wanted to get a
win. It feels great to have a day like I did. I
got two great starts and rode two solid motos.
At the beginning of the season I was having some
bad luck, but it’s a long year and I didn’t give
up. We got the quad dialed in and there isn’t
too much holding us back.”
First Kawasaki Win
Wienen’s win on Sunday marked
the first ATV overall national win for the
Kawasaki KFX®450R since the team started in
2007. In that short time, the Kawasaki quad has
proven it’s a competitor. The KFX®450R traveled
to the podium four times in 2008 and four times
in five races already this season.
“It’s great to get this win for Kawasaki,” said
Wienen. “Both Josh and I have been trying to
bring home this win for the team. Our quad is a
proven winner now, but the team has known that
for a long time.”
Good Day
Creamer went into the race at Sunset
Ridge MX hoping to return to the podium. He
raced to third-place in the first moto, and
looked for another good finish but a crash early
in the moto set him back. He battled his way
back to eventually finish eighth for the moto
and just off the podium with fourth for the
overall. Creamer now sits fourth in points, just
six points back from his teammate.
“It obviously wasn’t the day I was hoping for,
but a lot of people had bad luck so it was good
to leave there with fourth,” said Creamer. “I’ve
been close to the podium a few times now. I’m
not the type to give up and I’ll be looking for
that podium next race.”
Cody Gibson Keeps Streak Alive
Gibson kept his
winning streak going in the Pro Am Production
class with another 1-1 win at Sunset Ridge. He
has won three of the four races and has yet to
finish off the podium in the class. Gibson also
won the first moto in the Pro Am Unlimited, but
he crashed in the second moto, finishing 12th
overall.
Returning to Steel City
The next race will be
held at a venue that the riders are familiar
with even though it hasn’t been part of the
series the last few years. The Steel City
Invitational has kept the riders coming to the
track and Wienen was last year’s big winner.
“I really like that track,” said Wienen. “It’s a
good technical track. I hope they keep it
similar to what it was before. We are going to
try and keep the wheels turning in the right
direction.”
Results AMA ATV Motocross Championship
Sunset Ridge MX – Walnut, Ill.
May 3, 2009
Pro Overall Results (Moto Finishes)
1. CHAD WIENEN, GALENA, ILL., MONSTER ENERGY
KAWASAKI, 1-1
2. Cody Miller, Greenville, Texas, Can Am, 5-5
3. Doug Gust, Salem, Wis., Suzuki, 4-6
4. JOSH CREAMER, N. STONINGTON, CONN., MONSTER
ENERGY KAWASAKI, 3-8
5. Josh Upperman, Louisville, Ohio, Honda, 10-2
6. Jeremie Warnia, Paris, France, Can Am, 8-4
7. Pat Brown, Gray, Ga., Yamaha, 7-10
8. Brandon Smith, South George, Utah, Can Am,
11-7
9. John Natalie, Jr., Houtzdale, Pa., Can Am,
16-3
10. Jeremy Lawson, Live Oak, Fla., Can Am, 2-18
Pro Point Standings
1. Joe Byrd, Union City, Tenn., Honda, 186
2. Dustin Wimmer, Center Valley, Pa., Suzuki,
184
3. CHAD WIENEN, GALENA, ILL., MONSTER ENERGY
KAWASAKI, 144
4. JOSH CREAMER, N. STONINGTON, CONN., MONSTER
ENERGY KAWASAKI, 138
5. Josh Upperman, Louisville, Ohio, Honda, 118
6. Doug Gust, Salem, Wis., Suzuki, 118
7. John Natalie, Jr., Houtzdale, Pa., Can Am,
116
8. Jeremy Lawson, Live Oak, Fla., Can Am, 108
9. Clay Holmes, Lexington, Tenn., Honda, 106
10. Cody Miller, Greenville, Texas, Can Am, 102
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