Buchanan, Michigan is home to one of the world’s greatest MX facilities. On the final weekend of July, RedBud Mx played host to the world’s absolute best ATV Motocross athletes competing in the ProX AMA ATV Pro National Championship series. Reigning ATV Derby Pro World Champion, Cody Janssen, came into RedBud very confident after nearly winning the Pro Am event at the facility in 2015. Janssen would need to overcome adversity throughout the course of the weekend however, a microcosm of his 2016 season.
RedBud has been very good to Cody Janssen over the years, from being the place he made his Pro debut to countless amateur national wins. That being said, this year wouldn’t be as kind. In Pro Class timed qualifier #1, the #25 saw a stator go bad taking him out of the session after just a couple of laps. In qualifier #2, Janssen had a BIG get off on the track’s biggest jump but rebounded to put in a few hard lap. The bad luck continued as Janssen lost all rear brakes in Pro Moto 1, but man did put on a show in Pro Moto 2 where he passed nearly half the class one by one! Cody finished 12th overall in the Pro Class. In Pro Am, Janssen ran up through the pack again in Moto 1, so going into Moto 2 a win was on his mind. Those plans were dashed a few corners in however, as a slower riders checked up, taking out the #25 in the process. Once again though, Janssen put on a show. Running some of the fastest lap times of the day, Janssen came from a half a lap down all the way back to finish 8th – if only he could’ve avoided that wreck on the opening lap.
Loretta Lynn’s, the regular season finale, is another place that has always been good to Cody Janssen. Cody once again looks to avenge his loss from a couple years back when his machine gave up the ghost with half a lap left while leading Pro Am (would’ve gave Janssen his first ever Pro Am overall win). He heads to Tennessee looking for a win.
“RedBud wasn’t easy on me.” Janssen stated post-race. “I overshot that big triple by a mile and crashed pretty good, put that on top of how busted up I already am – now I can barely walk. But we put in a few good rides. Both second motos were stellar, but I could’ve won Pro Am Moto 2 – that the frustrating part. But we’ll heal up as best we can and bring our best to Loretta’s! You know that place owes me one! [smiles]”
Cody’s run at podiums and race wins wouldn’t be possible without the great care and support of the people that continue to back him. He must thank his parents/family and the rest of the Janssen Motorsports crew; Thank you to the Londerville family and Londerville Steel for stepping up for Cody when he needed it most. Thank you to Elka Suspension for their support of the #25, phenomenal products and people. Also, thanks to Jay at Impact Solutions, Maxxis Tires, SSI Decals, Walsh Racecraft, Valvoline, Koster Racing, FMF, Pivot Works, Hinson Clutch Components, DP Brakes, Thor MX, 100%, E-Z UP, Cliff Cox and Oshkosh Tattoo and Good Girl Piercing, Risk Racing, Napa of Peru, Indiana; Pafford EMS, FourWerx Carbon, Sconnie Nation, 1st Endurance, Piping Service INC., DT-1 Filters, Sunstar Sprockets, D.I.D Chains, Galfer USA, Rath Racing, Renthal, Works Connection, 4Arm Strong, Don Straus, Pro-Tec, PHC Coatings, Jeremy Edwards at Edwards Auctioneering, Corey Garrison at Parts Unlimited, Evans Coolant, Terry Moore, Kay Gunn PT, Evans Coolant, Frank Vallone and family, his phenomenal mechanics (Joel Janssen, Haley Davis, Tom Davis, Todd Blom and Dan Binder), Ken Hill always for the photos, 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 and every one of them. Janssen looks to end the regular season on top at Loretta Lynn’s August 13-14, rain or shine! God bless.
