The RedBud Motocross facility has long been thought of as the capital of American motocross. A favorite track of so many riders, the Buchanan, Michigan, soils seem to always create the perfect conditions for incredible racing. As the ATV Motocross National Championship tour took to southwestern Michigan, no rider was more excited to go racing on the RedBud circuit than Cody Janssen.
The RedBud round of racing comes at the perfect time for the Kaukauna, Wisconsin, native as he’s locked in a National Championship fight. It’s been an up and down season for Janssen, whose speed has never been in question but seemingly he either wins or suffered some sort of tough luck. Heading into the penultimate round of the championship, and at his favorite racetrack, Cody was fired up to finally go racing after a couple week break.
Janssen was fast in Friday’s practice sessions. After a good share of rain and a delayed schedule as a result, late Saturday afternoon the gate finally dropped on Moto 1. Cody Janssen ripped the holeshot and started to stretch his lead early. However, at the midrace mark a rock lodged in his right-side front brake rotor and resulted in a very hairy ride down the back side of the Monza Wall – trying to navigate down the roughest spot of the racetrack after blowing both hands off the bars. Janssen remounted and made as many passes as possible, finishing 6th. He salvaged the weekend by dominated Moto 2 after making a quick pass for the lead. The 6-1 scores earned him 3rd overall in the Junior 25+ division, and he managed to only lose 2 points in the championship points chase. Heading into the Loretta Lynn’s season finale, the calculations are simple: win the overall = win the National Championship.
“I was crushed [after Moto 1], I thought [the championship] was over.” Janssen said. “I’ve never got a rock in my rotor ever in my entire racing career, I was devasted. I knew all I could do is go win Sunday and see how it shook out. Well that’s what we did and somehow, we still control our own destiny. I feel like I got a new lease on life, like I’ve been reincarnated (laughs). I’m going to work my ass off the next few weeks and I cannot wait for Loretta’s! We’re still alive!”
Up next is the final National Championship event at the world-famous Loretta Lynn’s Dude Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. Cody Janssen will head south with hopes of repeating his victory there last August and claiming his third National Championship on the weekend of August 10-11.
