Round 6 of the Mountain Dew AMA ATV National Motocross Championship series rolled into beautiful Walnut, Illinois this past weekend and brought the world’s best ATV racers with it. Included in this group of talented riders young and old was “local boy” Cody Janssen. Local is a relative term. Cody hails from about 4 hours north of Walnut near Green Bay, Wisconsin; but competing in events from Texas to New York state, Sunset Ridge Mx in Walnut, Illinois is the race considered to be Janssen’s home race. All riders were hoping for nice dry conditions after the deluge in Indiana the week prior, but Mother Nature would once again have other plans.
Heavy Rain Thursday night and Friday cancelled Friday’s scheduled amateur practice. On a day Cody Janssen normally spends meeting and greeting with fans and studying the track, he spent cooped up in a trailer and in a movie theater checking out the new Jurassic World movie. But as he and the other riders relaxed, they knew rain or shine getting down to business and racing was ahead of them. Saturday morning came and the morning sun slowly started drying the track. The Sunset Ridge crew did a remarkable job themselves to get the track in shape as well. The edges of the track were a little sloppy but the middle was mint and saw Cody Janssen on the pink #40 (for the Breast Cancer Awareness Weekend) post an amazing, career best, 7th fastest qualifying time! All the team wanted was to carry that momentum and confidence into the motos!
Pro Moto 1 saw Janssen get in two opening lap tangle ups, but he fought the whole moto and kept moving towards the front. Between motos, the heavens once again opened up and the rains came, for Moto 2 conditions would be less than stellar once again. Riders were all over the place on the opening laps, Janssen went off the track twice early just trying to stay out of the carnage, but made some crafty moves and found himself inside the top 10 in the 9th spot. Cody made a late run and nearly picked off riders for 8th and even 7th, but he would run out of time. That being said, it capped a solid day for the reigning Rookie of the Year that saw a top 10 finish and a career best 7th fastest qualifying spot!
After a solid day in the Pro Class, Janssen felt very confident he would make a run at a win in the Pro Am class on Sunday at Sunset Ridge, but he wouldn’t get the chance. All racing was cancelled Sunday due to more inclement weather and multiple inches of rain.
“I’ve never been a part of something like this, even when the amateurs get rained out Pro Am has always raced either way.” Janssen said. “I just don’t know how to feel! I’m bummed we didn’t get to race because we had a win in us this weekend, but Bob and the rest of the crew here at Walnut did such an incredible job for the cards they were dealt…I’m going to go home, keep working, and get that podium/win at Millville. We have the speed, we were 7th fastest after all.” Janssen finished with a grin.
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, Chris Ginger, 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 at another home-ish race in Millville, Minnesota at Spring Creek Mx on Saturday June 27th – Sunday June 28st, just 4 short hours from Cody’s hometown of Kaukauna, WI! God bless.