Wienen Wins AMA Pro ATV Series Finale
- Updated: August 9, 2014
Newly crowned 2014 AMA Pro ATV champion Chad Wienen wrapped up an incredible season for the Yamaha YFZ450R by taking the overall victory with 1-2 moto finishes at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. on Saturday, Aug. 9. Wienen’s record has been incredible this year, with the popular rider winning seven of nine rounds overall and finishing second in the other two. Wienen Motorsports teammate Thomas Brown also capped a memorable season by taking third overall with 2-3 motos, and likewise finishing third in the Pro ATV standings – a scant two points behind rival Joel Hetrick.
Rainy weather on race day turned the course into a slippery mud bath, making staying online and out of trouble difficult for the entire field. Mastering the elements, Wienen took the holeshot in the first moto only to come under attack from rival John Natalie, who crashed after making contact with Wienen’s YFZ shortly after the start. This promoted Wienen’s teammate Brown to second, and the pair waltzed to an exciting 1-2 moto finish, with Brown setting the fastest lap of the race on lap four. Never more than two seconds behind, Brown even found the speed he needed to close on his boss at the flag, ultimately finishing just 0.652 seconds behind Wienen.
With conditions worsening, rival Josh Creamer grabbed the second-moto holeshot over Jeffrey Rastrelli, with Wienen and Brown following. The Yamaha duo moved up to second and third, respectively, when Rastrelli faltered on lap two, and stayed in that formation right through to the muddy finish. Wienen’s 1-2 was just enough to give him the overall, while Brown’s 2-3 gave him third for the day. “We definitely had our work cut out for us today with the weather, and I just tried to stay out of trouble and not ride over my head,” Wienen said. “I’m so happy to end the season with a win.”
