Yamaha’s Chad Wienen raced his YFZ450R to a blistering overall win in the opening round of the 2012 AMA Pro ATV motocross championship in Washington, Ga. on Saturday, March 24. His commanding 1-1 finishes in the twin 20-minute motos not only puts Wienen in the points lead as the 10-round series gets rolling, but it also marks a triumphant return for the popular racer whose 2011 season ended due to injury. Making the day even better for Yamaha, Thomas Brown flew to 4-5 moto finishes to lock in fourth place overall.
The first moto at the Aonia Pass MX Park saw Josh Upperman take the holeshot and the early lead. However Wienen powered his Yamaha past his rival and into the lead early in the contest, and he was able to fend off challenges from both Upperman and Joel Hetrick, who ultimately ran off the track and did not finish, to take a comfortable win. “This is the greatest moment for me right now,” anemotional Wienen said afterwards. "To come back like this and do what I love, I've been dreaming about this day and it's finally here.”
Moto two started in an identical fashion, with Upperman nabbing the holeshot and the early lead. But this time it was rival Natalie who took over control in the early laps, hotly pursued by Yamaha’s Wienen, Upperman, Derek Swartfager and then Yamaha-mounted Brown rounding out the top five. As the race settled in, the battle at the front was between Natalie and Wienen, with the Yamaha rider challenging for the lead on several occasions. In storybook fashion, Wienen finally made a pass for the lead stick in the final turn of the moto to complete a most incredible comeback. “We're taking it one race at a time, but I’m super excited to start the season off with a sweep,” Wienen added. Yamaha ATV racing coordinator Donnie Luce added, “What a way to start the season and our new partnership with Wienen Motorsports! Chad proved to everyone that hard work, a good team and a YFZ450R are a tough combination to beat.”
| Pro Class |
| 1 |
Chad Wienen - YAM |
|
| 2 |
John Natalie |
|
| 3 |
Josh Upperman |
|
| 4 |
Thomas Brown - YAM |
|
| 5 |
Mark Madl |
|
| 6 |
Nick Denoble |
|
| 7 |
Derek Swartfager |
|
| 8 |
Joel Hetrick |
|
| 9 |
Jeffrey Rastrelli |
|
| 10 |
Adam Clark |
|
|
 |
| Standings |
| 1 |
Chad Wienen - YAM |
50 |
| 2 |
John Natalie |
44 |
| 3 |
Josh Upperman |
40 |
| 4 |
Thomas Brown - YAM |
34 |
| 5 |
Mark Madl |
30 |
| 6 |
Nick Denoble |
29 |
| 7 |
Derek Swartfager |
28 |
| 8 |
Joel Hetrick |
25 |
| 9 |
Jeffrey Rastrelli |
25 |
| 10 |
Adam Clark |
22 |
|
|