AMA ATV Motocross Nationals Round #3 - High Point Raceway Mount Morris, PA May 17, 2014

Mount Morris, PA  (5/17/2014) – ATV Pro Motocross racer Joel Hetrick was able to score his first moto win along with his first overall win of the season at round 3 of the Mtn Dew ATV Motocross Championship Racing Series at High Point Raceway. Defending AMA Pro Motocross Champion Chad Wienen finished in second place after winning moto one and finishing second in moto 2. John Natalie rounded out the Pro ATV motocross podium in third.

After heavy rain moved in leading up to third round of the ATV Motocross Series, the skies cleared for the Saturday with slightly chilly racing conditions. Once again there was nearly a full gate for the Pro class as there were a total of eighteen entries that lined up to do battle to claim their spot on the ATV Pro Motocross podium.

Joel Hetrick looked strong as always during qualifying and was able to grab the ATVriders.com Fastest Qualifier Award, which scored him a point toward ATVriders.com Fastest Qualifier Championship Award, and the first gate selection for moto one.

Joel Hetrick grabbed the ATVRiders.com Fastest Qualifer Award at Mtn Dew ATV Pro Motocross Round 3

In Moto One, Joel Hetrick started towards the front as he came through scoring on the first lap in fourth. Hetrick charged ahead and passed his way into third on lap three where he recorded the fastest lap time of the moto 01:49.153 closing his 3 second gap on second place of John Natalie and leader Chad Wienen. On lap six, Hetrick was able to make a move on John Natalie for second place where he remained until the finish.

Joel Hetrick finished second in Pro Moto 1 at High Point Raceway

In Moto 2, Joel Hetrick had a strong start heading into the first corning top three following closely behind Chad Wienen and John Natalie who grabbed the holeshot. Hetrick trailed Chad Wienen for the first two laps before making a clean pass on the Defending ATV Pro Motocross Champion, Chad Wienen. One lap three, Hetrick continued his charge for the number one spot where he was able to make a move into the lead by passing John Natalie heading into the mechanics area. Once out front, Hetrick was able to record the fastest lap time once again.

In Moto 2, Joel Hetrick earned his first Moto win as well as his first overall win of the season on his Mtn. Dew Livewire / JB Racing / Can-Am DS 450

With the last few laps to go, it looked as if Hetrick was to secure the win by a near eight second lead, however Hetrick’s ATV began having transmission problems that only allowed him to race in fourth gear.  This mishap didn’t detour Hetrick, as he stayed on the gas to cross the finish that earned him  first win this season aboard his Mtn Dew Live Wire / JB Racing Can-Am DS40.

“It feels great to get this first win of the year and it feels awesome to get a win in my home state. When the two-lap mark came out I was a little scared. I knew the bike was having a little issues and I just had to push through it and finish,” explained Joel Hetrick of his first win of the season

After winning the first two rounds in the 2014 ATV Pro Motocross season, Chad Wienen’s early winning streak would come to an end at round three. Chad Wienen, however, was still able to claim the moto one win.

Chad Wienen grabbed the SSi Decals Holeshot Award in Moto 1

The Wienen Motorsports / Yamaha racer shot out of the gate, in Moto One, to claim some more points towards the SSi Decals Holeshot Championship.