In super difficult conditions, defending AMA Pro ATV champion Chad Wienen raced his YFZ450R to the overall win at the opening round of the 2013 series at Aonia Pass MX in Washington, Ga. on Saturday, March 23. Wienen overcame stinging rain and slick mud that left competitors soaked and scrambling for both traction and visibility, to score 3-2 moto finishes for the dramatic victory. As a result, Wienen holds onto his red No. 1 plate as the series heads into the second of 10 rounds at, ironically, Muddy Creek Raceway in Blountville, Tenn. on April 13-14. Wienen Motorsports teammate Thomas Brown also finished on the podium in third place with 2-4 moto results aboard another YFZ450R.
The early moments of the first 14-lap moto were wild ones, with rival Josh Upperman grabbing the holeshot, Brown taking the lead briefly on his YFZ, and then eventual moto winner and rival Joel Hetrick taking a narrow lead over Brown. Meanwhile Yamaha-mounted Wienen was gaining positions after making a top-five start, advancing to third place and within striking distance of the two leaders on the first lap. But the sloppy conditions made for extremely difficult racing, and the running order remained the same for the rest of the moto, giving Yamaha’s Brown and Wienen their 2-3 moto finishes. After over 20 minutes of racing, Brown was just 3.6 sec. behind the winner at the flag.
Moto two saw rival Josh Creamer take the holeshot and the win, with a heated battled between Wienen, Upperman and Brown raging behind him. Upperman held the early advantage, but Wienen raced by on his YFZ on lap seven to take over second position as the pair put some distance on Brown. From there to the flag, Wienen rode securely in second place as Brown, in fourth, inched closer to Upperman for the final podium. At the checkers, it was Wienen in second – giving him the overall win – and Brown in fourth. "I'm happy with the outcome,” Wienen said afterwards. “Anything is possible with a mud race but I'm really excited to be leaving round one still carrying the red number plate.”
| Pro Class |
| 1 |
Chad Wienen - YAM |
|
| 2 |
Josh Creamer |
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| 3 |
Thomas Brown - YAM |
|
| 4 |
Josh Upperman |
|
| 5 |
Joel Hetrick |
|
| 6 |
Nick Denoble |
|
| 7 |
Joe Byrd |
|
| 8 |
Jesse Barnes - YAM |
|
| 9 |
John Natalie |
|
| 10 |
Cody Suggs |
|
|
 |
| Standings |
| 1 |
Chad Wienen - YAM |
42 |
| 2 |
Thomas Brown - YAM |
40 |
| 3 |
Josh Creamer |
40 |
| 4 |
Josh Upperman |
38 |
| 5 |
Joel Hetrick |
35 |
| 6 |
Nick Denoble |
30 |
| 7 |
Joe Byrd |
28 |
| 8 |
Jesse Barnes - YAM |
25 |
| 9 |
John Natalie |
24 |
| 10 |
Cody Suggs |
22 |
|
|