ATV Riders Message Board Articles Reviews Videos Photo Gallery wallpaper Links ATV SxS News Interviews Racing News Models Donations Quad of the Month Contact Us

FLY ATV Supercross
Daytona International Speedway
Daytona, Florida
March 14, 2017

AMA ATV SX Supercross Logo

Chad Wienen Wins 3rd Annual Daytona ATV Supercross
Joel Hetrick & Thomas Brown Round Out ATV SX Podium

Daytona, FL (3/15/2017) - The 2017 Wiseco ATV Motocross National Championship (ATVMX) presented by CST Tires, an AMA National Championship kicked off yesterday, March 14, at the iconic Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Daytona ATV SX Supercross Podium

FLY ATV SX Pro Podium (left to right)
Joel Hetrick (2nd), Chad Wienen (1st), Thomas Brown (3rd)

After opting out of the first timed qualifying session, Wienen Motorsports / SSi Decals / Walsh Racecraft / Yamaha / Maxxis / 7240’s Chad Wienen came out swinging in the second qualifying session to claim the first ATVriders.com Fastest Qualifier Award of the season.

Chad Wienen ATV Supercross
Chad Wienen claimed the ATVriders.com Fastest Qualifier Award at the 3rd Annual Daytona ATV SX

When the heat races got underway for the Third Annual FLY Racing ATV Supercross, Root River Racing’s Josh Upperman and Maxxis/Elka/Liquid Wrench/Honda’s Joel Hetrick emerged with the wins.

The $100 Bell Helmets Holeshot Award was up for grabs as the main gate dropped. Hetrick used his momentum from his heat race win to fire off the start and grab the early lead. Upperman and GennUSA Racing’s Nick Gennusa was in tow, while Wienen sat in a top-five position.

Joel Hetrick ATV Supercross
DASA Racing's Joel Hetrick grabbed the holeshot

Wienen wasted no time and made the pass for a podium position after the first lap was complete, and then second shortly after that. Wienen set his eyes on Hetrick who already had a gap on the rest of the field.

Chad Wienen ATV Supercross
Chad Wienen charged his way to the front to take the lead when Joel Hetrick made a mistake late in the race

Hetrick and Wienen maintained a four second gap between each other for the first half of the race, until Hetrick bobbled coming out of the second turn. “I made a mistake, but it didn’t cost me too much this year,” said Hetrick. “Of course I’m a little upset at what happened. I went wide and caught the Honda banner and it tossed me off. I’m lucky that I got up and got going as quick as I did.”

Once in the lead, Wienen ran his own race while the battles continued behind him. After getting back up, Hetrick was running in fourth. He was able diligently work his way around Upperman and put the pressure on Nick Gennusa.

Chad Wienen ATV Supercross
Chad Wienen claimed his 2nd straight Daytona ATV SX Win

With much of the focus was on Hetrick recovering from his mistake, Root River Racing/CST Tires’ Thomas Brown was quickly rising through the ranks. After an unfavorable start, Brown rode in fourth. With only a handful of laps remaining, Gennusa held off Brown, but with only three turns to go Brown would make the pass and steal the last podium position away from Gennusa.

Thomas Brown ATV Supercross
Thomas Brown charged his way into the third spot just before the finish line with a last minutes pass on Nick Gennusa

Wienen defended his 2016 ATVSX win, with Hetrick crossing the finish line behind him in second and Brown rounding out the main event podium. Gennusa placed just off the podium in fourth, and Upperman rounded out the top-five finishers in the opening round. Walsh Racecraft/Honda’s Parker Wewerka had an impressive showing for his pro debut in sixth.

“Lines on the track were crossing everywhere so you had ride very precisely. My goal was to go out there and not make any mistakes,” said Wienen. “I know Joel rides hard so when I saw him down, I knew I had to be cool, calm and collective to win the race.”

“Over the years my mistakes here at Daytona have cost me big time.” said Hetrick. I’m just glad to be up on the podium, because that was my main goal coming into the race.”

Joel Hetrick ATV Supercross
Joel Hetrick rebounded from a wreck to secure the 2nd spot with Nick Gennusa & Thomas Brown in chase, which made for an exciting battle at the end of the race

Joel Hetrick proved he has the speed and mentality to be a championship contender.

Racer TV captured LIVE streaming of each qualifying round and main event, both amateur and pros. To watch the archived footage head over to RacerTV.com. A highlight show featuring the event will be aired on the MAVTV later this spring.

The 2017 Wiseco ATV Motocross National Championship resumes with a return to the traditional motocross format on Saturday, April 1 at the popular Underground MX in Kemp, Texas.

AMA ATV SX Supercross Logo

Copyright 2002-2022, ATV Riders All Rights Reserved - ATV Riders Forum - Message Board - Archive