Ironman
Janssen Survives Mud/Rain at Ironman Raceway
Ironman Raceway in Crawfordsville, Indiana is most known for its world famous cross country race each fall. In the final days of May the storied hills would welcome the world’s most prestigious ATV Motocross series, the Mountain Dew AMA ATV National Championship Series, and ATVs in general for the first time to its new motocross facility. Unfortunately, the beautiful course would look more like a GNCC cross country track for most of the weekend due to over 4 inches of rain.
Cody Janssen, riding a streak of solid races, came in very confident. Janssen was referring to the event as a “home race” for him as he lives about 5 hours from the facility and has developed quite the following in the state of Indiana with that being where his girlfriend is from. Cody and the #40 loved the track and it showed as they were up inside the top 10 in the Pro Class’ timed qualifying. The first Pro race would be dry, but without a great holeshot, Janssen would need to push his way through the pack. He did so, finishing right outside the top 10, running out of time or he may have secured a finish inside the top 7 or 8. Then the heavens opened up for the second race weekend in a row. The rain came down in droves, Moto 2 and it’s live coverage was delayed due to major flooding on the racetrack. When the gate dropped on Moto 2, Janssen came out top 5, this was the break out moto he was looking for! But it was all for naught, he got in a tangle in the first corner and that changed the way the moto would play out. Janssen was one of the faster riders on the racetrack, even beating points leader Joel Hetrick, but after having to come in for a pit stop and new goggles, you can only make so many passes. Janssen would go 11-12 for 12th overall in the Pro Class.
The Pro Am class, as Cody sees it, his class to win. Mother Nature can be cruel however, and she would make it tough in the #40 and others on this day. Over less than a 24 hours period between 4 and 5 inches of rain was dropped on the Crawfordsville area. The track personnel did all they could do, but that much rain often makes for a one-lined sloppy racetrack. Again, Janssen was fast but only so many passes can be made. Janssen would ultimately finish right outside the top 5 on the day in the Pro Am Class.
“The most depressing thing is how beautiful of a place this is and then to not be able to enjoy it because of all the rain.” Janssen said as he looked up to start the interview (talking about the Ironman Raceway’s track and facility). I felt so good on the bike this weekend, better than I have all year, it just feels like a missed opportunity. Coming into the weekend I would have told you there was no chance I didn’t make the podium in Pro Am, but sometimes that’s just how it goes. This was a home race for me, but THE home race for me in the next one at Walnut [,Illinois – Sunset Ridge Mx]. Looking forward to letting the frustration out on the track there, see you on the podium.”
None of this would be possible without great care and support from the people that support 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, Corrosion Specialties and the Parrish Family, Jay at Impact Solutions, Maxxis Tires, SSI Decals, Walsh Racecraft, Londerville Steel, 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., 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 at Advanced Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, Dynamic Graphics, Team AndyStrong, his phenomenal mechanics (Joel Janssen, 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. Cody will be on the hunt for another podium at his home race in Walnut, Illinois at Sunset Ridge Mx on Saturday June 13th – Sunday June 14st, just 4 short hours from Cody’s hometown of Kaukauna, WI! God bless.
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