Wienen has experienced the top of the podium before, but it wasn’t until his hometown race that he was able to claim his first win of this season. Wienen started the day by earning the top qualifying spot. He then went on to lead nearly every lap in both motos, establishing himself as the one to watch at the upcoming rounds.

“I had pretty high expectations going into this race,” said Wienen. “I was second at the previous two rounds and I really wanted to get a win. It feels great to have a day like I did. I got two great starts and rode two solid motos. At the beginning of the season I was having some bad luck, but it’s a long year and I didn’t give up. We got the quad dialed in and there isn’t too much holding us back.”

Wienen’s win on Sunday marked the first ATV overall national win for the Kawasaki KFX®450R since the team started in 2007. In that short time, the Kawasaki quad has proven it’s a competitor. The KFX®450R traveled to the podium four times in 2008 and four times in five races already this season.

“It’s great to get this win for Kawasaki,” said Wienen. “Both Josh and I have been trying to bring home this win for the team. Our quad is a proven winner now, but the team has known that for a long time.”

Creamer went into the race at Sunset Ridge MX hoping to return to the podium. He raced to third-place in the first moto, and looked for another good finish but a crash early in the moto set him back. He battled his way back to eventually finish eighth for the moto and just off the podium with fourth for the overall. Creamer now sits fourth in points, just six points back from his teammate.

“It obviously wasn’t the day I was hoping for, but a lot of people had bad luck so it was good to leave there with fourth,” said Creamer. “I’ve been close to the podium a few times now. I’m not the type to give up and I’ll be looking for that podium next race.”

Gibson kept his winning streak going in the Pro Am Production class with another 1-1 win at Sunset Ridge. He has won three of the four races and has yet to finish off the podium in the class. Gibson also won the first moto in the Pro Am Unlimited, but he crashed in the second moto, finishing 12th overall.

The next race will be held at a venue that the riders are familiar with even though it hasn’t been part of the series the last few years. The Steel City Invitational has kept the riders coming to the track and Wienen was last year’s big winner.

“I really like that track,” said Wienen. “It’s a good technical track. I hope they keep it similar to what it was before. We are going to try and keep the wheels turning in the right direction.”

AMA ATV Motocross Championship
Sunset Ridge MX – Walnut, Ill.
May 3, 2009

Pro Overall Results (Moto Finishes)
1. CHAD WIENEN, GALENA, ILL., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 1-1
2. Cody Miller, Greenville, Texas, Can Am, 5-5
3. Doug Gust, Salem, Wis., Suzuki, 4-6
4. JOSH CREAMER, N. STONINGTON, CONN., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 3-8
5. Josh Upperman, Louisville, Ohio, Honda, 10-2
6. Jeremie Warnia, Paris, France, Can Am, 8-4
7. Pat Brown, Gray, Ga., Yamaha, 7-10
8. Brandon Smith, South George, Utah, Can Am, 11-7
9. John Natalie, Jr., Houtzdale, Pa., Can Am, 16-3
10. Jeremy Lawson, Live Oak, Fla., Can Am, 2-18

Pro Point Standings
1. Joe Byrd, Union City, Tenn., Honda, 186
2. Dustin Wimmer, Center Valley, Pa., Suzuki, 184
3. CHAD WIENEN, GALENA, ILL., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 144
4. JOSH CREAMER, N. STONINGTON, CONN., MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI, 138
5. Josh Upperman, Louisville, Ohio, Honda, 118
6. Doug Gust, Salem, Wis., Suzuki, 118
7. John Natalie, Jr., Houtzdale, Pa., Can Am, 116
8. Jeremy Lawson, Live Oak, Fla., Can Am, 108
9. Clay Holmes, Lexington, Tenn., Honda, 106
10. Cody Miller, Greenville, Texas, Can Am, 102