Monster Energy Kawasaki KFX®450R Wins Three in a Row With Wienen’s Second of the Season

Monster Energy Kawasaki KFX®450R Wins Three in a Row With Wienen’s Second of the Season

Irvine, Calif. – Monster Energy Kawasaki’s ATV team took their third overall victory in a row with Wienen’s stellar 1-1 performance at Unadilla Valley Sports Center in New Berlin, N.Y. during Round 7 of the AMA Pro ATV Motocross Championship Series. Between Wienen and teammate Josh Creamer, the Kawasaki riders have claimed the last six moto wins. In the Pro Am Production and Pro Am Unlimited classes, Kawasaki riders Cody Gibson and Joel Hetrick went 1-2 in both classes. Gibson has only relented one win in the Production class the entire season where he finished second.

Another Win

Wienen came into the round at Unadilla determined to put another win in the books. He pulled a top-three start in the first moto and followed the top two riders for the first half of the race. He was finally able to make his move and take the moto win.  In the second moto, it only took two corners to move into the lead and he rode smooth to his second win of the season.

“My starts really helped me have a chance at the lead,” said Wienen. “I almost got the holeshot in the second moto, but I was out front the next turn. I just tried to ride smooth. It was a big boost for us and I’m just really happy with our program right now.”

Into The Lead

For the first time since Kawasaki returned to ATV racing, the team has a rider leading the points standings. Despite a shaky start to the season, Wienen took a nine-point lead over second place with his consistent finishes over the past several races.

“Moving into the lead doesn’t change how I approach the races,” said Wienen. “I am going to continue to look at it race by race and be consistent. There really isn’t any added pressure. I’ll just keep doing what I’ve been doing. I couldn’t be happier.”

Not Going His Way

The weekend in New York didn’t go as planned for Creamer. He was riding great in practice, topping the charts, but during the first moto on Sunday he had a mechanical issue that took him out of that race. In the second moto he got a bad start and worked all the way up to ninth. With his second moto finish, he was able to finish 13th overall.

“It really wasn’t a great weekend for me to be honest,” said Creamer. “Qualifying went well, but I was still having my issues. I was getting stuck behind slower riders and couldn’t get a great lap in. At the start of the first moto I got hit and was working my way up when I had to pull over with an issue. I wasn’t too comfortable with this track, but everyone has to ride it. I’m really happy for Chad (Wienen) that he kept the streak alive for us and hopefully I can come back out next race with something for the podium.”

Pro Am Dominance

Gibson and Hetrick found the podium once again at Unadilla in both of the Pro Am classes. Gibson increased his streak in the Production class, winning the last four races. He also took his second win the Unlimited class. Hetrick finished second in both classes, following his win at the last round in the Unlimited class.

Muddy Creek

With only four rounds remaining, the riders know that every race counts. The next round of the AMA Pro ATV Motocross Championship will be held the last weekend of June in Tennessee at Muddy Creek Raceway.

Results

AMA ATV Motocross Championship
Unadilla Valley Sports Center – New Berlin, N.Y.
June 14, 2009

Pro Overall Results (Moto Finishes)
1.    CHAD WIENEN, GALENA, ILL., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 1-1
2.    Doug Gust, Salem, Wis., Suzuki, 3-3
3.    John Natalie, Jr., Houtzdale, Pa., Can Am, 5-2
4.    Josh Upperman, Louisville, Ohio, Honda, 2-6
5.    Jeremy Lawson, Live Oak, Fla., Can Am, 4-5
6.    Dustin Wimmer, Center Valley, Pa., Suzuki, 10-4
7.    Richard Pelchat, St. Romuald, QC, Can Am, 6-8
8.    Greg Gee, Simcoe, Ontario, Honda, 8-7
9.    Harold Goodman, Romulus, Mich., Honda, 7-10
10.    Patrick Brown, Pittstown, N.J., Yamaha, 13-11
13.    JOSH CREAMER, N. STONINGTON, CONN., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 19-9

Pro Point Standings
1.    CHAD WIENEN, GALENA, ILL., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 254
2.    Joe Byrd, Union City, Tenn., Honda, 245
3.    Dustin Wimmer, Center Valley, Pa., Suzuki, 235
4.    JOSH CREAMER, N. STONINGTON, CONN., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 217
5.    Josh Upperman, Louisville, Ohio, Honda, 210
6.    Doug Gust, Salem, Wis., Suzuki, 208
7.    John Natalie, Jr., Houtzdale, Pa., Can Am, 197
8.    Jeremy Lawson, Live Oak, Fla., Can Am, 167
9.    Greg Gee, Simcoe, Ontario, Honda, 144
10.    Cody Miller, Greenville, Texas, Can Am, 142