A Q&A With 5-Time AMA ATV MX National Champion Chad Wienen

21 Aug 2017

Wienen raced to a first overall in the season finale of the AMA ATV MX National Championship

Wienen raced to a 1st overall in the season finale at Loretta Lynn MX in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee

In one of the closest races the AMA ATV MX National Championship has seen, professional racer Chad Wienen fought to the final checkered flag. However, despite winning the overall in the season finale, the K&N-sponsored racer came up just short in the season points total to Joel Hetrick.

The second place finish breaks a 5-year stranglehold Wienen had on the AMA ATV MX National Championship series. Wienen topped the national podium from 2012 through the 2016 campaign. There is no doubt that coming up just 11 points short in 2017 will fuel the competitive fire that burns in the talented racer.

Before heading to Ponte-de-Vaux in France to compete in the Quadcross of Nations as part of Team USA, Wienen discussed his racing philosophy, what makes him tick, and his thoughts on the 2017 season with K&N.

K&N: Aside from your obvious natural racing talent, what do you consider the personality traits that make you so successful?

Chad Wienen interacting with young fans of the AMA ATV MX National Championship

Wienen is fully aware the positive influence he can have on young race fans

Chad Wienen: I am very self-motivated. I wake up every day and am excited to train, workout, and better my riding ability. The season can get long, especially towards the end, but every day I wake up I love my job more and more and feel blessed to have a career that I love and am truly passionate about. It keeps me going and keeps me pushing.

K&N: Can you talk about how racing impacts, or is defined by, your family life and relationships?

CW: I am lucky to have an amazing support group with my family and friends. My wife, Danica runs our Wienen Motorsports business and takes care of everything on the business side of racing, so I can go out and worry about things on the track (and) not off. We are lucky to have a close, tight-knit family who comes to as many races as they can, and even our friends and many of our hometown crowd come to a lot of the close races to support us. It’s truly amazing having that sort of support group and makes it easier being on the road so much.

K&N: With your huge string of AMA ATV MX National Championships, has it ever been a challenge to stay motivated?

Wienen's patriotic Quadcross of Nations ATV

Wienen's patriotic Quadcross ATV displays the stars and stripes and runs a K&N intake

CW: Each championship I have won has been just as special and important as the last. It always keeps me hungry and wanting more, and keeps me pushing forward.

K&N: What are your interests outside of the AMA ATV MX series?

CW: I’ve been so focused on the championship chase that it seems to have consumed a majority of my time, but I enjoy cycling, golfing, and spending time with my family. I strive to be the best in each and everything I do, and I try to enjoy being in the moment in whatever task lies ahead.

K&N: What are your thoughts on the very tight 2017 series championship race and your finish?

CW: The 2017 season was my tightest championship chase in the past six years. Unfortunately, I fell short of securing the championship, but it has only left me more hungry and excited for the 2018 season to work on getting back the number one plate.

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