Cody Janssen Wins in Virginia, Now in Driver’s Seat to Repeat as National Champion
The year was 2008 and a young Cody Janssen, who had just turned 16 years old, lined up at an ATV national on a full-sized 450cc machine for the very first time. The setting was Pleasure Valley Raceway, which famously features a concrete starting pad. Cody’s father, Joel, asked the event staff manning the starting gate if he could sweep the portion of the concrete pad beyond the gate itself, and the gentleman gave the anxious father his blessing. After the loose dirt and dust had been removed, to their dismay, Joel and Cody looked around to see that their gate was the only one swept off leading up to the decisive second moto of the extremely competitive College 16-24 class. Panic set in as Cody asked his father what he was to do, but keeping his composure for his young racer, Joel simply said “win”. As the story goes, Cody Janssen would go on to win his first career non-youth national event that day – but why is this story relevant over twelve years later? Well, following the monumental moto win, the two Janssen boys were confronted by race officials – they were being protested for sweeping the pad beyond the starting gate. Calmly, the father explained the interaction he had with their starting line staff – they weren’t looking for an unfair advantage, just simply doing what they were told they could. When the story was confirmed, longtime series referee Robert “Smitty” Smith looked 16-year-old Cody Janssen in the eye and said, “you won”.
ATV motocross has always been a family affair, and when the ATV Motocross National Championship series was forced to find a new venue to replace a historic one due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they looked within their ATV racing family to find the perfect suiter. The ATV Motocross National Championship season would typically already have reached its conclusion by late August, but like so much in 2020, this season is quite different than what we’ve become accustomed to. For decades, the world’s premiere ATV racing series has made an annual stop at Loretta Lynn’s legendary dude ranch in Tennessee, but that wouldn’t be possible this season. The series was forced to find a venue in place of Loretta’s, and the destination they zeroed in on was Lake Sugar Tree Motorsports Park in beautiful Axton, Virginia. It’s not “The Ranch”, but the track has a rich history of its own dating back to the early days of American motocross. Over thirty years ago the facility hosted a two-wheeled national event, so needless to say it has a nostalgic feel – but the most overpowering feeling of all, was the undeniable presence of former series referee Robert “Smitty” Smith.
Set in the foothills of Virginia’s beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, Lake Sugar Tree offers an absolutely stunning setting for a motocross race. On the fourth weekend of August (2020), the best ATV racers in the world converged in mountains of southern Virginia – but what connection could a facility that has never previously hosted an ATV exclusive event have to the ATV nationals? Well, the answer lies in one single family member shared by two families – Lake Sugar Tree has a very special connection to ATV motocross. The facility that spent decades being affiliated with motorcycle legends Gary and David Bailey, is now currently owned by Ryan Smith, son of former longtime series referee Robert “Smitty” Smith. The event served as a memorial for “Smitty”, who lost his battle with cancer in 2012 – just a few seasons after being so fair in a truly innocent encounter with a young Cody Janssen and family. Upon arrival, “Smitty’s” presence was felt immediately in so many ways, including a full-sized cutout overlooking the pits. When Cody saw this, the words “you won” rang fresh in his mind once again.
On a recent episode of Cody’s extremely popular online radio show, the Digging Deep ATVMX Podcast, Lake Sugar Tree owner Ryan Smith spoke about how special it was to be hosting an ATV national – not to mention in his father’s memory. He and his staff were motivated to knock it out of the park, and though they weren’t necessarily dealt the easiest hand when his father sent a bit too much water down from the heavens, when it came time to go racing they had the track in perfect condition. For Cody Janssen, this was a pivotal race as he worked toward defending his 2019 National Championship in the prestigious 25+ class. A win would put the current points leader squarely in the driver’s seat for another title, and he did just that. It was a perfect 1-1 weekend for Janssen, who made quick work of the field and set sail in both motos en route to a dominant 3rd overall victory of the season. Janssen added to his points lead and has the ultimate goal now very much in his sights.
“It was a perfect weekend for us!” Janssen gleamed after yet another national event victory, the 41st of his career. “You wish they could all go as smoothly as things went [in Virginia], but that’s exactly what we needed! This win distanced us a little more from the field and we’re inching closer to defending our title, so we’re just going to keep grinding…Overall, we had an absolute blast at [Lake Sugar Tree], huge thanks to Ryan and his staff for giving us a fun place to race and for working their tails off to make our experience so enjoyable...I’m cherishing every second of these adventures together while they’re here in the present. Two events left and the goal is in sight!”
Forty-one national event wins, including 2008’s “you won” race and this most recent victory at Lake Sugar Tree, a title defense, and having the ability to travel the country making these memories is something unachievable alone – it’s thanks to the incredible support system that the reigning champ has behind him. Cody must thank all the loyal listeners and sponsors of his Digging Deep ATVMX Podcast, the #1 podcast in ATV racing! He must also thank the riders and families who continue to support the Cody Janssen Riding School. Huge thank you for the continued support to SSI Decals, CST Tires, Valvoline, Elka Suspension, FMF Racing, and Pivot Works – without the continued support of these long-time believers none of this would be possible. Thank you to his family, girlfriend Brooke, mechanic Dan Binder, and the rest of the crew at Janssen Motorsports. Extreme gratitude continues to Goldspeed Products, Ameriprise and the Hemauer Financial Group, the Kindrick Family and Kindrick Racing, E-Z Up Brand, Klink Equipment and Klink Hydraulics, Jay Gobel and Casey Greek of Impact Solutions, Hinson Clutch Components, Thor MX, The Program Training, D.I.D Chain, Atlas Brace, Bell Helmets, the Stanfield family and Napa (of Peru, Indiana), Cliff Cox and Oshkosh Tattoo & Good Girl Piercing, Precision Powder LLC, Ride 100% Brand, Trimble’s Cycle Center, All Balls Racing, Hot Cams, Hot Rods, Cylinder Works, Vertex, DT1 Filters, Larry Mills and DP Brakes, Rath Racing, Walsh RaceCraft, Fourwerx Carbon, Sunstar Sprockets, Works Connection, Renthal, Corey Garrison and Parts Unlimited, the Reynolds Family and Reynolds Body Shop, the Dean and Pauline Janssen family, Pat McGuire, Energy Release, Pro-Tec Racing, Evans Waterless Powersports Coolant, Blenders Eyewear, First Endurance, Pro Moto Billet/Fastway, Nova Racing Transmissions, Rocket Machining and Design, Mountaineer Brand, Dallas Janssen, and many others. Without such amazing support, continuing the pursuit of dreams and goals would never be possible. Photos curtesy of Tremellen Media House, PH3 Photos, and RKH Photography.
For many ATV motocross families, things start to slow down this time of year – but not here in 2020! With the delayed start to the season, we still have two events left on the schedule even though it’s nearly September! Up next on the AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Tour is Three Palms Action Sports Park, another new venue for 2020. The Conroe, Texas, facility will host the best four-wheeled racers in the world on the weekend of September 18-20. The story of Cody Janssen National Championship title defense will resume a few weeks from now in the “Lonestar State”, and you won’t want to miss it! See you there!
P.S. Rest in peace Robert “Smitty” Smith, thanks for the memories.
