Redbud
Janssen Clinches AMA ATV Pro Rookie of the Year Honors at RedBud
“I came into the 2014 season with the Rookie of the Year Award being my main goal.” Cody Janssen said Thursday. “But I knew that it wasn’t going to be easy, and whoever won the coveted award was going to have earned it. Now, months later, I have the chance to wrap it up this weekend. I can’t wait!” As the Mountain Dew AMA ATV National Motocross Championship headed into RedBud in Buchanan, Michigan for the penultimate round, Cody Janssen had all but clinched the Rookie of the Year Award. The series’ top rookie rider came in with a commanding lead over the other Pro Class new comers. It wouldn’t take much to clinch it, basically just finishing at round 8, but Cody wouldn’t be satisfied with that. You can bet he would put his best foot forward and compete at the highest level coming off his career best 9th place finish at Unadilla.
As Saturday rolled in, Janssen woke up with high hopes. The high humidity promised to challenge the world’s best ATV racers’ endurance on RedBud’s historic track. With the Pro Class races looming, the rookie tried to go about his business as usual, knowing what could come by day’s end. He started out the morning very strong, setting the 6th best time for most of qualifying before finishing up in the 8th spot, the best of the season for Janssen. Moto 1 of the Pro Class wasn’t easy for Janssen but he fought hard for his 10th place finish. In Moto 2, he shined. Clawing from outside the top 10, Cody got up to 9th and almost stole the 8th spot at the checkered flag. Cody Janssen, a 2-time Amateur National Champion, is the 2014 AMA ATV Pro Rookie of the Year! He also earned his 2nd consecutive, and 2nd career top 10 Pro finish.
The Wisconsinite on the #40 machine went 6-10 in the Pro Am class for 9th overall.
"We did it!” An ecstatic Janssen said after all was said and done. “Rookie of the year, what a dream come true. We all worked so hard for this. My family, the team, myself, we all came together and got it done. What a phenomenal feeling!...I’ve won nationals championships, but when your honored for something in the Pro Class, that’s really special. Can’t help but think back to all the weekends spent at the track with my family, all the night’s spent at home when others were out, this is what it’s all about. I wish I could’ve got [Tyler Hamrick], it was so close and that would’ve gave me 8th overall. But hey, ROOKIE OF THE YEAR! God is great!”
Cody’s excitement spilled over into social media as well.
Last but not least, Cody must thank all his sponsors and supporters because without them the dream he is living out would never be possible. 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, Londerville Steel Enterprises, The Keane Family, his phenomenal mechanics (My dad, Todd Blom, Dan Binder, Tom Davis, and Chris Ginger), as well as everyone else that supports him. Special thanks to Daniel Owens at Number One ATV for the photos from the weekend. The series finale comes at you from Loretta Lynn’s Dude Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee on August 9-10. God bless.
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