Janssen Top Pro Rookie at Sunset Ridge
Round 4 of the 2014 Mountain Dew AMA ATV National Motocross Series took place in Walnut, IL at Sunset Ridge Mx, a track that Pro Class rookie Cody Janssen knows very well. Cody has had great success here over the years. He won his first ever national event here in 2006, he won his 450cc national debut here in the A class in 2008, then followed that up with national wins here in 2009, 2011, and 2013 with a runner up finish to eventual Pro Am National Champ Cody Gibson in 2012 as well. This weekend would be Janssen’s toughest test though, now in the Pro Class racing with the world‘s best. “I’m excited to be here!” Janssen said Thursday. “This is my ‘home’ race, the closest one for me. I know I’m going to have all kinds of fans, friends, and family here this weekend and I want to give them something to cheer about!”
The 22 year old Janssen races both the Pro and Pro AM classes. Pro Class racing takes place on Saturday and he started off the weekend exceptionally by qualifying 11th in the morning’s time qualifying session. Moto 1 was tough for the #40, he ran 14th for most of the moto and made a push to get up to 12th or 13th at the end but just ran out of time. The box score doesn’t show it, but Moto 2 was much better. Janssen made some moves and was running in 12th at the 12 minute mark. He was making up time on the 2 riders in front of him, and had ATV legend Joe Byrd behind him before an electrical issue took place with the machine prematurely ending his day. Even though it was a tough day for Cody, he still was the highest placing rookie and now is the top rookie in the Championship standings.
On Sunday, Pro Am is the head lining event at the race track and local boy Cody Janssen wanted nothing more than to put his Pink Breast Cancer Awareness FSI/Janssen Motorsports #40 machine on the podium for all his fans in attendance. Moto 1 was another tough one, bad start for Cody before making his way up to 7th, then getting stuck on a berm putting him outside the top 13 or 14, before ending the moto in 11th. Going into Moto 2, the whole FSI/Janssen Team wanted to end the weekend on a high note, and that’s just want they did. Cody started outside the top 10 but made some crafty moves on the opening laps and ran inside the top 5 for most of the race before getting stuck on the same berm he got stuck on in Moto 1 and ended up 6th in Moto 2.
“Tough weekend.” Janssen said when asked about the weekend. “I just feel like we missed some great opportunities again this weekend. Without the mechanical failure in Pro Moto 2, I believe we had a good shot at a top 10. In Pro Am, with a little better first moto we could’ve been on the podium today, a 6-1 won the thing! But we got a top 10 in Pro Am, we’re the top Pro Rookie, and I know we’re trending in the right direction. I want a podium in Ohio, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes…I want to thank all my friends, family, and fans that came out with weekend, I am forever grateful. I also want to thank all the great companies and people that continue to stand behind me…Lastly, I need to congratulate my teammate Troy Hill on a great weekend where he podiumed all 3 of his classes. We’ve counting our blessings, going to continue to work hard, and make Ohio one to remember.”
Last but not least, Cody must thank all his sponsors and supporters because without such great people he wouldn’t even have a chance to be at the races. First and foremost his team, FSI/Janssen Motorsports, Roy, Faye, and Troy Hill, Jimmy Sims, his amazing family, friends, and fan base. Thank you to Elka Suspension for everything they do for #40, phenomenal products and even better people. Also, Maxxis Tires, SSI Decals, Walsh Racecraft, Makson Construction, FMF, Renthal, DP Brakes, Thor MX, 100%, Oshkosh Tattoo and Good Girl Piercing, Dynamite ATV, Quadtech, Tweeked Powderworks, Honda East Toledo, Rath, Hinson Clutches, Stephen Propson at P501, CP Pistons, KIK ATV, Maxima, Sunstar, D.I.D, Don Straus, 136 Photography, Pro-Tec, ASM13, Jeremiah Jones, Jeremy Edwards, Corey Garrison at Parts Unlimited, Terry Moore at Advanced Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, his phenomenal mechanics Todd and Dan, and everyone else that supports him. Round 5 takes place at BriarCliff Mx in Ohio on June 14-15, see you there and God bless.
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