When it comes to the sport of motocross, there are few more hallowed grounds; there are few more gorgeous sights than those of RedBud in Buchanan, Michigan. Located just north of South Bend, Indiana, RedBud Track and Trail is one of the most storied and beloved motocross facilities in the world. On the last weekend of July, the world class facility would play host to the penultimate round of the 2015 Mountain Dew AMA ATV National Motocross Championship Series. With just two races remaining, Cody Janssen and the rest of the world’s best ATV motocross athletes looked to finish the season strong. Janssen, having won countless races at RedBud and even having made his highly anticipated professional debut at the facility in 2013, was primed and ready to go out with a bang.
Cody Janssen and the #40 hit the ground running, starting the weekend by qualifying with a strong effort in the Pro Class top 10. Then things took an unexpected turn, while executing an early moto pass, Janssen dislocated and separated his shoulder. Remarkably, he was able to pop his shoulder back in enough to remain in the race and even finish a respectable 13th, but the reigning AMA ATV Pro Rookie of the Year was hurting. Come to find out, after seeing the sports medicine experts, the injury was basically everything already suspected. Cody’s left shoulder was fully dislocated and 3rd degree separated. The good news was there were no tears, the rotator cuff was intact, but multiple muscles and ligaments were severely stretched which has the shoulder resting half out of socket. Word around the pits Saturday night was to not expect to see the #40 racing in the Pro Am class Sunday, but think again.
JB Racing’s/LiveToRide’s Carol Lee Bettis taped Cody up Sunday morning and it was all systems go. The only worry among the team was would the shoulder stay in place and would he maintain feeling in his arm as that was one of the biggest issues when the injury took place. Janssen didn’t get the greatest of holeshots, but made some quick moves and found himself near the top 5. He maintained that pace throughout the race as fought through the pain bringing home a solid 6th in Pro Am Moto 1, nearly making the last second top 5 pass with a photo finish. Going into Moto 2, Janssen knew he just needed a start and that would make his job that much easier especially being injured. Well get a good start is just what Cody Janssen did. The #40 nearly yanked the holeshot but had to settle for the number three spot as the race began. Moto 2 would see an epic battle, probably one of the best races of the weekend. The top three of Cody Janssen, Sam Rowe, and Pablo Vera went at it; dicing back and forth for laps! Janssen, who was dealing with an injury mind you, just may have ridden his best race of the year. With two corners to go, Janssen set up Rowe for a walk-off bonsai pass. Janssen launched over Rowe but the two tangled on the landing and that was all she wrote. Janssen finished 3rd in Moto 2, ran the 2nd fastest lap time of the moto, and held off Moto 1 and overall winner Cam Covil, doing so all while severely injured. That last pass would’ve got Cody on the podium, he ended up 4th overall.
“I left every single thing I had on the track.” Janssen said exhausted and in pain after Moto 2. “I thought I had the pass made there at the end, I wanted that podium so bad. But for how everything was last night and this morning, I’m not going to complain about a 4thoverall. We’re going to pull out all the stops, rest up and try and heal up, and go to Loretta’s ready to do battle. I want to end the season on a good note. It’d be naïve of me to say I’ll be 100% by then, but no matter what I’ve proved I can go compete for wins hurt or not. I want a win in Tennessee.”
Cody Janssen doesn’t race just to race, or he doesn’t race just for his own enjoyment. Cody Janssen competes at the highest level of the sport to set a good example, prove that a drug and alcohol free way of life is the way to live, and be a good role model and mentor for the sports’ youth. It wouldn’t be possible without the great care and support from the people that back 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, Tom Davis, 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. Again, a huge thank you to Tom Davis for all the behind the scenes help at Redbud as there are few people Cody would rather have by his side and working on his machine. Finally, Ken Hill as well as Digital Dave of RaceDayPix must be thanked for each weekend’s photos. Cody will be on the hunt for one last podium at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee on Saturday August 8th – Sunday August 9th! God bless.