When it comes to American Motocross racing, there are few places more storied than the hallowed grounds of Spring Creek Motocross Park in Millville, MN. As the home stretch of the series nears, the Mountain Dew AMA ATV National Championship tour headed to these storied grounds right off the Mississippi. As the world’s best ATV riders came to town, Cody Janssen came with a good deal of hype. It wasn’t only a result of being the reigning AMA ATV Pro Rookie of the Year, but also because when it comes to ATV Pros, Janssen was the “hometown favorite”. Janssen, who hails only a few hours east of Millville, wanted to put on a show for all the fans cheering him on this weekend.
As always, with Saturday comes Pro Class racing, on this particular weekend it comes at you from beautiful Millville, Minnesota. As beautiful as the scenery is, some racers may have seen it differently as the track was the roughest of the season. Coming off a few tops ten finishes, Janssen struggled a bit early in the day and put together another top 10 and showed off his fitness by passing half the Pro Class field in Moto 2. If there was a Hard Charger Award in ATV MX, Janssen would’ve gotten it as it’s becoming the norm that he makes more Pro Class passes than anyone else.
Sunday’s Pro Am action hasn’t seen dry racing since Cody Janssen’s last podium in Tennessee. Unfortunately, the Pro Am Class at Spring Creek would be another mud fest. Multiple inches of rain on Saturday night made for very muddy conditions Sunday. Janssen, who wanted nothing more than a podium at his “home” race, set himself up well by making pass after pass throughout the race and finding himself in the top 5 by the finish. The #40 rider liked his position as they headed into Moto 2, he knew a podium was in his future. After a great start, Janssen found himself in the top 3 early! But before you know it, Cam Covil had a mechanical issue and tangled with the #40. Janssen was a half lap down by the time they got untangled and fought his way all the way back to 9th by race’s end. What a heartbreaker for Cody Janssen and his team.
“We had a podium spot all but wrapped up today,” Janssen said post-race, “But I guess it just wasn’t meant to be. The frustrating part is all we needed for a podium today was a top 5 or 6 in the second moto, we were in the top 3 looking to win the moto. It just seems like another missed opportunity, fast lap and nothing to show for it….We’ll rebound. We’re going in the right direction. Seems like we’re passing people all race long on Saturday and competing for podiums every Sunday. We’re heading to Unadilla, my favorite track. I want a win in Pro Am and a career best in the Pro Class, I’ll do anything I have to do to make it happen.”
None of this would be possible without great care and support from the people that support Cody and his racing. He must thank his parents/family and the rest of the Janssen Motorsports crew; Thank you to Elka Suspension for everything they do for #40, phenomenal products and even better people. Also, Londerville Steel and the Londerville Family, Corrosion Specialties and the Parrish Family, Jay at Impact Solutions, Maxxis Tires, SSI Decals, Walsh Racecraft, Valvoline, Koster Racing, FMF, Hinson Clutch Components, DP Brakes, Thor MX, 100%, Oshkosh Tattoo and Good Girl Piercing, Napa of Peru, Indiana; FourWerx Carbon, Sconnie Nation, Piping Service INC., Ryno Power, DT-1 Filters, Sunstar Sprockets, D.I.D Chains, Galfer USA, Rath Racing, Pivot Works, CP-Carrillo, Dynamite ATV, Tweeked Powderworks, Honda East Toledo, Works Connection, Don Straus, Pro-Tec, Jeremy Edwards at Edwards Auctioneering, Corey Garrison at Parts Unlimited, Terry Moore, Frank Vallone and family, Dynamic Graphics, Team AndyStrong, his phenomenal mechanics (Joel Janssen, Todd Blom, and Dan Binder), and everyone else that supports him. The Janssen team is like a set of gears, Joel and Lisa Janssen along with Haley Davis (girlfriend) make Cody and his racing successful, it wouldn’t be possible without each one of them. Cody will be on the hunt for another podium out in Unadilla, New York at Unadilla Valley Sports Complex on Saturday July 11th – Sunday July 12th! God bless.
