Wienen and Stum Score Megacross Wins

 

Mendota, IL – September 22, 2007

Round 9 of 11

By Nikki Dixon

  

As the quads went out for practice, the Megacross racers and fans noticed Factory Suzuki #44 tearing up the track.  Team Rockstar/MSR/Pro Taper/Suzuki/Yoshimura’s Chad Wienen stopped by to race Megacross, one week after winning the final race of the 10-round WPSA ATV Tour.  Wienen finished the series with five wins, the most of any rider on the tour, so it was no surprise when Wienen dominated in style at Megacross. 

Wienen used the heat race as practice, as he let everyone get through the first couple of turns before he left the gate.  Once Wienen caught the pack, he weaved through riders one by one, staying low to make the passes, blitzing the whoops, and using unique lines to come from behind.  Wienen found the lead as they approached the white flag, and pulled away for the win.

 When the gate dropped for the main, Wienen held back again.  It took a few laps to get in the mix, but once he did, he worked his magic through traffic on the stadium-style track.  Mid-race in looked a little doubtful that Wienen would run the table again, but Wienen hammered down on his factory ride to reel in leader Jason Wehrli with a lap to go.  Wienen grabbed the victory, followed by Wehrli, Jeremy Beetz, Justin Medine, and Steve Brookhouse. 

Another rider making his first Megacross appearance of the year was Cody Stum, current District 17 motocross points leader in 125B and 250B.  Stum proved he’s a contender on the stadium night tracks too, as he aced 125B and 250B.  In 125B, Stum grabbed the holeshot, followed by Josh Provost and Gordon Kaskin.  The top three stayed in that order, while Denny Morsch, Jordan VanDeWyngaerde, Mike Chrisos, and Kyle Entwistle (223) mixed it up for fourth, with Chrisos and Morsch rounding out the top five at the checkers.

 Stum (739) ran away with the 250B win, followed by an intense battle for second.  Bill Chrisos held second most of the race, with Tyler Knowlton, Provost, Morsch, and Nick Manning all in the hunt.  But Chrisos had problems late in the race, while Provost charged into second, and Knowlton wrapped up the top three. 

Derek Whitney was unstoppable in the Expert classes, leading from wire-to-wire in both 125A and 250A.  In 125A, Whitney started out front, trailed by Kevin Markwardt, Roy Horton, and Charles Harpe.  Horton passed Markwardt for second through the switchback turn as they completed the first lap.  James Garrett passed Harpe for fourth, but went off the track on the next lap, and lost a position to Brad Fabrizius.  Horton tried to close the gap on Whitney, but Whitney stayed out front for the win.  Horton, Markwardt, Fabrizius, and Garrett completed the top five. 

In 250A, Whitney led around the first turn again, followed by Horton and Markwardt.  Whitney pushed ahead, while Horton held off Markwardt’s charge, although Markwardt was jumping the south triple and clearing the new camelback triple to try to catch Horton.  Whitney carded the win, over Horton, Markwardt, Chad Johnson, and Ty Tyrrell.

 Maxx Malatia reeled in holeshot master Rich Nichol for the 85 Senior and Supermini wins.  Malatia also impressed the crowd by jumping from the finish line to the next tabletop, which only a few A-riders were doing.  In the 18-rider 85 Senior class, Nichol grabbed the holeshot, with Malatia and Chris West in tow.  Nichol led until the second lap, when Malatia charged outside down the long straight, and cut inside in the bowl turn for the lead.  Malatia pulled ahead, while Nichol ran a solid second.  West and Cory Catalani diced for third, until Catalani bobbled and lost a few positions.  Tyler Simpkins and Kyler Hyde mixed it up to round out the top five, behind Malatia, Nichol, and West.

 Nichol started out front in Supermini, followed by Malatia (55) and Robbie Hyson.  Malatia made the pass on Nichol early in the race, and sprinted to the checkers.  Nichol and Hyson diced for second, with Hyson getting the nod at the finish.  Catalani and Simpkins rounded out the top five.

 Don’t forget the two rain dates in October, for your final chance to catch the Megacross action.  District 17 Bonus Points at the October 6th round, and Double Megacross Points at the October 20th Megacross Championship.  Then November 11th is the Megacross and Fox Valley Off Road Awards and Play Day at the Fox Valley Off Road Park.  As the website says “Come hungry and ready for fun!”