Morgantown, W.Va. (March 29, 2011) - Chad Wienen's confidence is sky high as he now sits 12 points ahead of the competition heading into round three of the AMA ATV Motocross Championship Series presented by DWT.
The start of the AMA Pro class
This nationally televised event on the VERSUS network at Ballance MX is expected to draw nearly 800 riders and several thousand spectators. Ballance MX is the home of 9-Time GNCC Champion Bill Ballance, making it a prestigious stop on the AMA ATV Motocross Championship Series schedule.
After a rocky start, Ballance Racing's Thomas Brown is looking to put his Yamaha out front on familiar grounds this weekend in Kentucky. The Texas native has suffered mechanical problems the first two rounds and hopes to rebound with solid finishes at Ballance MX.
Motoworks Can-Am rider Chad Wienen has swept the field so far this season; giving him the early points lead in the Pro class. After finishing third in the series the last two years, Wienen is focused on winning his first-ever ATVMX Championship this year.
"Last year was my first season with Can-Am and we finally worked the bugs out and won the last two rounds against Creamer and Wimmer. We headed into the off-season focused on improving the suspension and adding a little more power to the bike," said Wienen. "I feel like I did my part during the off-season by preparing myself both physically and mentally," said Wienen.
Wienen took his second straight victory at Millcreek
Teammate John Natalie currently sits 12 points behind Wienen, giving the Motoworks Can-Am team an early lead in the championship points chase.
After finishing with a third overall in the first two rounds, Baldwin Motorsports Honda rider Josh Upperman has great potential to challenge the Can-Am teammates next weekend at Ballance MX.
The battle to watch as the season progresses, though, is between the Walsh Race Crafts Suzuki rider Jeremy Lawson and JBR American Honda's Joe Byrd. Both riders have finished inside the top five so far, leaving them only one point apart in the overall championship standings.
Amateur classes will practice on Friday and race on both Saturday and Sunday. Pros will run two timed practice sessions on Saturday morning and race in the afternoon as part of a full schedule of amateur racing, including classes for Youth, Women and Veteran riders.
Tickets on Saturday are $20 for spectators ($10 for ages 6-11), and admission includes full pro-pit access and an autograph session.
Take I-65 north to exit 28 "Corvette Museum"; right off the exit ramp on 31W; go approximately 9 miles and the track will be on your left.
For more information, please visit www.atvmotocross.com.
About the AMA ATV Motocross Championship
The AMA ATV Motocross Championship is the nation's premier amateur and professional ATV motocross series, hosted at top motocross facilities nationwide. The 11-round series features the Nation's best racers, teams and sponsors, and is America's largest and longest-running ATV national motocross program. Since 1985, the series continues to expand and produce top talent from the amateur ranks, while premiering the professional class. For more information, please visit www.atvmotocross.com.