It feels like just yesterday the world’s greatest ATV motocross athletes came together for the inaugural ATVSX at Daytona International Speedway and now here we are, at the final round of the Mountain Dew AMA ATV National Championship series. The stage was set for the series’ finale at the mecca for American motocross, Loretta Lynn’s Dude Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. It’s safe to say every rider was looking to end the season on a respectable note, but reigning AMA ATV Pro Rookie of the Year, Cody Janssen, was prepped and ready to go out with a bang.
Coming off of a major shoulder injury at the penultimate event that saw Janssen dislocate and separate his shoulder, he was unable to do much riding going into Dirt Days at Loretta Lynn’s. Cody had to stick to cardio, cardio, cardio and with a little optimism; he would be able to perform at a high level when the gate dropped. The #40 rider started off the final round very strong with an 8th in qualifying, his second best qualifying outing to date! Janssen kept the ball rolling, making pass after pass in both motos and finishing with a 9-10 score for 9th overall in the Pro Class at the last race of the year! His 9th place finish tied his career best in the Pro Class, what a great way to end the 2015 Pro class campaign!
With Sunday comes Pro Am racing and all kinds of hype around how Cody Janssen could cap his 2015 campaign that saw many great efforts including just coming off a Moto 2 podium at RedBud. Having recently figured out his holeshots, Janssen would get good starts in Pro Am Moto 1 and 2 but little tangle ups early would cost him a chance at the podium on this day. He would fight through the pack but could only muster up a finish just outside the top 5.
In 2013, Cody Janssen won a National Championship in the Open A class. In 2014, he won the AMA ATV Pro Rookie of the Year award. In 2015, Cody finished 11th in Pro Class series points, just 3 points out of the top 10. Janssen also finished 7th in the Pro Am class, which is outstanding considering he DNF’ed the first race and received zero points and had mechanical problems at Rd. 2. The #40 rider fought and fought, clawing himself from outside the top 20 to 7th by the finish. Going into 2016, the future looks very bright for the 23 year old; Cody is going to heal up and come back stronger and faster than ever.
“Man, it’s always bittersweet to see a season come to an end like this.” Janssen said after the final moto of 2015 had been run. “…Especially when I feel like I was just hitting my stride. I finally figured out my starts and even with my shoulder, fought for the win at RedBud and tied my best Pro finish to date this weekend. But my body is hurting and ready for a break. I know it’s early, but I feel so ready and so confident for 2016. I have such an amazing bike and so many great people behind me. I’m going to better myself and come out swinging. This year I proved you can’t get behind early, next year I’m going to contend for a Pro Am National Championship. I can’t wait, I’ll be ready. God bless.”
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. The 2015 wouldn’t have been 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. Finally, Ken Hill as well as Digital Dave of RaceDayPix must be thanked for each weekend’s photos. Until next season, God bless.