Wienen Wins ATV Open Championship

Dominates invitational race at Steel City Raceway

DELMONT, Pa. (August 30, 2008) -- The 2008 Pro ATV Racing season came full circle for Chad Wienen on Saturday at Steel City Raceway, as he dominated the ATV Open Championship race. Dustin Wimmer finished second, ahead of Josh Upperman.

"This is the icing on the cake," said Wienen, who earned $5,000 and a special AMA No. 1 Plate for the victory. "I'm speechless. I've never won a championship before so this is a good start for me."

Wienen (No. 44 Team Rockstar/MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura/Pro Taper Suzuki) was sidelined with shoulder injuries for much of the 2008 ITP Tires/Moose Racing AMA/ATVA National Motocross Championship. He was hungry coming into the $10,000 invitation-only race here.

"When I'm good and healthy, I think I'm a threat to win every weekend," said Wienen. "That's my drive every single week. I just know I have it in me to win. I was headstrong even when I was down and out. I was injured this year, but I always believed I could finish out the year strong."

Wienen rewarded the horde of fans, who celebrated his victory with him, throwing his chest protector, his goggles and even his racing jersey to the crowd gathered around the podium.

"You have to love the fans; they're why we're here," said Wienen. "I do whatever it takes, staying late to sign autographs, just as long as they're happy. We need to keep them coming back and keep improving our programs, and someday I hope we can be as big as the bikes."

Wienen's teammate Doug Gust (No. 55 Team Rockstar/MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura/Pro Taper Suzuki) took the holeshot at the beginning of the event, earning the $500 ATVRiders.com bonus. Wienen was on a tear, though, taking second from Upperman on lap two. He passed Gust one lap later, taking the lead for good.

Wimmer (No. 191 Team MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura/Pro Taper Suzuki), who was sporting his newly won AMA No. 1 plate for winning the National ATV Championship, started sixth, but methodically picked his way through the pack, taking the runner-up slot on lap 10.

"I had a difficult start, so I just kept my head down and tried to run a smooth race," said Wimmer. "I knew I had the quad to do it, so I just ran my line and it worked out."

Upperman (No. 20 American Honda/Baldwin Motorsports Honda), ran a strong second through much of the event, even challenging for the lead several times.

"I saved the best for last," quipped Upperman.

DELMONT, Pa. (August 30, 2008) -- Results of Sunday’s ATV Open at Steel City Raceway (Showing finishing position, rider, bike number, bike brand, and hometown):

1. Chad Wienen, 44, Suzuki, Galena, Ill.
2. Dustin Wimmer, 191, Suzuki, Center Valley, Pa.
3. Josh Upperman, 20, Honda, Louisville, Ohio.
4. Doug Gust, 55, Suzuki, Salem, Wis.
5. John Natalie, Jr., 13, Can-Am, Houtzdale, Pa.
6. Josh Creamer, 9, Kawasaki, N. Stonington, Conn.
7. Pat Brown, 199, Yamaha, Pittstown, N.J.
8. Harold Gooman, 708, Honda, Romulus, Mich.
9. Greg Gee, 10, Can-Am, Simcoe, Ontario.
10. Keith Little, 12, Kawasaki, Spruce Pine, Ala.
11. Cale Downen, 727, Honda, Junction, Ill.
12. Hunter Miller, 90, Honda, Greenville, Texas.
13. Jason Dunkelberger, 19, Polaris, Trevorton, Pa.
14. Jeremy Lawson, 16, Can-Am, Battletown, Ky.
15. Cody Miller, 22, Can-Am, Greenville, Texas.
16. Sage Baker, 49, Can-Am, Shasta Lake, Calif.
17. Russell Shumaker, 68, Bristol, Wis., DNS.
18. Joe Haavisto, 75, Kawasaki, New Ipswitch, N.H., DNS.
19. Mitch Reynolds, 137, Polaris, Greenbrier, Ark., DNS.

###