Janssen’s Perfect Weekend Halted with Finish Line in Sight, Pushes Quad Across Line to Salvage Third Overall
The opening round of the 2019 ATV Motocross National Championship saw Cody Janssen grab both holeshots and lead all laps en route to a perfect 1-1 score on the weekend in the Junior 25+ division. As the series headed into Rd. 2 at Ironman Raceway in Crawfordsville, Indiana, Janssen looked to put on another strong performance in the nearby Hoosier state.
Unpredictable weather and difficult track conditions have been a trend early in this 2019 season, but nothing was going to stop Janssen in Moto 1. Cody aboard his Janssen Motorsports built, CST Tires equipped, Honda yanked the holeshot and stretched his lead throughout the moto. He grabbed the decisive win like Governor William Henry Harrison and his troops did in the Battle at Tippecanoe in 1811. This historic site happens to be just a short drive north of Crawfordsville, Indiana. It was understood that Harrison was coming to speak in good will to Tecumseh’s Shawnee Tribe, but he showed up with 1000 men, destroyed the Indian territory, and proclaimed victory. Well, if Janssen was like the American forces grabbing a decisive victory in Moto 1, then he was like Tecumseh and his tribe in Moto 2 – unexpectedly ambushed.
Cody grabbed another holeshot in Moto 2, making it a perfect 4 for 4 on the season. He would lead all the laps until with just two corners to go his ATV experienced an electrical problem and killed the engine. With the finish line in sight, Janssen pushed his machine across the finish line to salvage a 3rd place overall finish (1-5). The efforts of the #25 didn’t go unrewarded as he is just 2 points out of the championship lead.
“I’ve dreamt this same nightmare before.” Janssen said about experiencing a mechanical issue with the win in the bag. “I just needed to keep it running for another 15 seconds, but that’s racing and anything can happen. I could feel something was wrong early on in the moto, so I tried not to push it too hard and limp it to the [finish line] but it wasn’t meant to be. I’m just grateful I was able to push it across the line and somehow salvage 3rd overall. Looking forward to getting back on track in South Carolina!”
Chasing his goals and making these memories wouldn’t be possible without the support of so many great individuals, companies, and families. Cody must thank all the riders and families who support the Cody Janssen Riding School. He wants to thank the Swartfager family of Swartfager Farms and Knox Country Farm Supply for their continued support this season. Huge thank you for the continued support to SSI Decals, Elka Suspension, CST Tires, Valvoline, FMF Racing, and Pivot Works – without the continued support of these long-time believers it wouldn’t be possible. Thank you to his family, girlfriend Taylor, mechanic Dan Binder, and the rest of the crew at Janssen Motorsports. Thank yous continue to Goldspeed Products, Ameriprise and the Hemauer Financial Group, Al Corey Electric, 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, 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, 4arm Strong, Fuel Customs, the Dean and Pauline Janssen family, Energy Release, Pro-Tec Racing, Evans Cooling, Motion Pro, Blenders Eyewear, First Endurance, Pro Moto Billet/Fastway, Nova Racing Transmissions, Mountaineer Brand, Tim “Burr” Decoster, Dallas Janssen, and many others. Without such amazing support, chasing dreams and goals would never be possible. Photos thanks to Ken Hill, Logan Tremellen, and Travis Trimble. Next stop on the 2019 ATV Motocross National Championship tour is in South Carolina at South of the Border on the weekend of May 11-12. Cody will look to get back to his winning ways at SOB, see you there!
