by: Chelsea Taylor
Friday, April 22, 2016 | 11:25 AM
Wienen Faces Pressure to Make It Three-in-a-Row
Hetrick, Brown and Rastrelli All Seek to Take Home First Win of the Season
After a successful event in Texas, the 2016 ProX ATV Motocross National Championship (ATVMX) presented by CST Tires, an AMA National Championship, heads to the Volunteer State this weekend for the Muddy Creek National held annually at the iconic Muddy Creek Raceway (MCR) in Blountville, Tennessee. Wienen Motorsports/Yamaha/Maxxis/SSi Decals/Walsh Racecraft/FLY Racing’s Chad Wienen leads the pro class heading into round three of the 12-round series.
The four-time champion has shown no signs of slowing down as he has claimed both wins thus far, which has vaulted him into the current points leader position. “I didn’t win at Muddy Creek last year,” said Wienen. “Joel Hetrick ended up winning. We had a great battle and I expect to have that same thing this year. I know the track will be prepped and set up for us so I’m ready to fight for the win.”
Perhaps the racer with the most will to stop Wienen is Maxxis/Elka/Liquid Wrench’s Joel Hetrick. After suffering from a knee injury at the first round, Hetrick managed to come back and earn a second place finish just two weeks ago at the Underground MX National. Hetrick reported that he wasn’t riding to his full capability, but with two additional weeks to recover for the Muddy Creek National it may serve as a turning point in Hetrick’s season.
Maxxis/FLY Racing/Baldwin Motorsports-backed John Natalie comes into this weekend currently ranked second in the points championship. The veteran racer has shown that he has the experience needed to snag a win away from Wienen after claiming the holeshot at the season opener and leading majority of the race.
“Muddy Creek is my style of track and a lot like the tracks I raced while growing up in Pennsylvania,” said Natalie. “I usually do pretty well at Muddy Creek and I’m excited for it because I think it will equal out the field.”
Maxxis/Root River Racing/JB Racing’s Thomas Brown currently sits tied for third in the championship points standings with JB Racing/Root River Racing/Gold Speed Tires-backed Jeffrey Rastrelli. Both competitors have found themselves on the podium this season and are fully capable of standing in the middle of the box on Saturday afternoon.
The 2015 Rookie of the Year and AGX Designs/Walsh Racecraft/Maxxis’ Nick Gennusa has shown great speed and consistency going 6-6 in the first two rounds. The New Jersey native sits tied for fifth with Hetrick. He is followed by Root River Racing/Hoosier Tires/Rage ATV’s Josh Upperman in seventh and Tennessee native Joe Byrd in eighth. Koster Racing’s Brett Musick and Maxxis/Root River Racing/JB Racing’s Nico Cavigliasso round out the top ten.
Saturday’s race schedule is as follows: practice at 10 a.m. followed by a timed qualifying session at 11:30 a.m. Pro motos are at 2 and 4 p.m. with an autograph session taking place at 4:30 p.m.
Saturday spectator passes run $20 for adults and $10 for children (6-11), with kids five and under getting in for free. Each pass includes pro pit access and pro autographs at no additional charge.
Amateur racing will take place throughout the weekend alongside the AMA Pro class, and local riders are invited and encouraged to compete in the event, as ATVMX offers classes for riders of all skill and experience levels. The amateur race entry fee is only $40 and riders can sign up at the event.
Local racers expected to compete this weekend will be: Christopher Bosnakis (Pro-Am), brothers Silas (Pro) and Lucas Lamons (Junior 25+), Jesse Voiles (Open B/450 B/Production B), Kenneth Payne (Open C/450 C), Jon Bringle (450 A/ College 16-24), Ryan Williams (450 B/Production B), Brian Tapp (Production A), Patrick Luken (College 16-24), Rocky Heupel (Veteran 30+), Braden Lollis (125 8-15), Bryson Slagle (90 Open Jr. 8-11/90 Automatic Jr. 8-11) and Leah Guffey (50 CVT 5-8).
For more information on the 2016 ProX ATV Motocross National Championship, visit the official series website at www.atvmotocross.com. Join the conversation on the series Facebook page, follow on Twitter and Instagram, and be sure to always hashtag #ATVMX and #FasterOnFour.
Previous Round Results and Points Standings
Underground MX Park
Kemp, Texas
Round 2 of 12
Saturday, April 9
2016 AMA Pro Class Event Results:
- Chad Wienen (YAM)
- Joel Hetrick (HON)
- John Natalie (HON)
- Thomas Brown (YAM)
- Jeffrey Rastrelli (HON)
- Nick Gennusa (YAM)
- Josh Upperman (HON)
- Nico Cavigliasso (YAM)
- Joe Byrd (HON)
- Brad Riley (HON)
Overall National Championship Standings:
- Chad Wienen (75)
- John Natalie (58)
- Thomas Brown (55)
- Jeffrey Rastrelli (55)
- Nick Gennusa (45)
- Joel Hetrick (45)
- Josh Upperman (41)
- Joe Byrd (34)
- Brett Musick (28)
- Nico Cavigliasso (25)
SSi Decals Holeshot Award Standings:
- Chad Wienen (2)
- John Natalie (1)
ATVriders.com Top Qualifier Award Standings:
- Chad Wienen (1)
- Joel Hetrick (1)