Press Release
Wienen Wins One at Loretta's
Bad luck and injuries disappear with first 2008 victory
HURRICANE MILLS, Tenn. (August 10, 2008) -- Chad Wienen (No. 44 Team Rockstar/ MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura/Pro Taper Suzuki) fulfilled his goal of treading to the top step of the podium during the 2008 season on Sunday, capturing the overall Pro ATV victory at Loretta Lynn Ranch. The event, part of ATV Dirt Days here, was the season finale for the ITP Tires/Moose Racing AMA/ATVA National Championship Presented by Parts Unlimited.
Dustin Wimmer (No. 191 Team MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura/Pro Taper Suzuki) finished second, ahead of Josh Creamer (No. 9 Team Monster Energy Kawasaki).
Wimmer also collected a $5,000 check for winning this year's Riders' Championship. He clinched the title two weeks ago in Michigan and also helped hand Suzuki the Manufacturers' Cup.
“I’ve really been working hard to get back to winning speed,” said Wienen, who fought multiple injuries and bad luck all season. “I was just concentrating on the overall win out there. I’m the defending race winner here, so I was looking forward to the race. It feels great to get the monkey off my back and win again. I’d really like to thank my team for giving me such a great quad, because it was the reason I was able to win.”
The win didn’t come easy. After finishing first in moto one, Wienen had to get past teammate ATVRiders.com Holeshot Award winner Doug Gust (No. 55 Team Rockstar/MSR/Suzuki/Yoshimura/Pro Taper Suzuki) in the second moto. Wienen began pressing hard, searching for a way around Gust, then Joe Byrd (No. 7 American Honda Joe Byrd Motocross School Honda) passed both Suzuki riders in one fell swoop. From there the battle was on.
Both riders pulled ahead of the pack and traded positions several times. Wienen captured the lead late in the event and began to look like he was going to pull away. This was not the case as Byrd fought back and made his way back around the Suzuki rider. Finally, Wienen, realizing he had the overall win, backed off and settled for second. Meanwhile, Byrd raced away with the second moto win.
“I had a mechanical failure in the first moto, but those things happen,” said Byrd, who lives roughly 100 miles from the Loretta Lynn Ranch. “I have a lot of friends and family here and I just wanted ride my best for them and get another win for the Byrd House.”
Creamer was strong all day, finishing second in moto one. He then put forth an amazing effort in moto two after crashing on lap one. The crash left Creamer at the back of the field, but he immediately began slicing through the pack to ultimately finish the moto sixth, good enough for third overall.
"As soon as I got up I just told myself I was going to pass as many riders as I could," said Creamer. "I saw a big pack of riders around the halfway mark, and that gave me a little extra boost to keep charging."
Wienen was awarded an extra $1,000 for winning the home base fourth and final round of the ITP Grand Slam. Meanwhile, Byrd picked up an extra $1,000 for winning the ITP Tires Grand Slam championship that consisted of the High Point, Red Bud, Muddy Creek, and Loretta Lynn rounds.
Wienen summed up the day by adding: "I’ve won here two years in a row now. Joe (Byrd) and I always battle hard. He’s beaten me on my home turf and now I’ve beaten him on his. This isn’t the Byrd House anymore, it’s Wienen Ranch."
