Janssen Grabs Third National Event Victory of the Season at Sunset Ridge
Sunset Ridge Mx is one of the most beautiful facilities on the ATV Motocross National Championship circuit. Located in northern Illinois, it is an event that Wisconsin-based rider Cody Janssen considers to be his “home” race on the schedule. After a convincing win in the first moto at Muddy Creek, an overall victory eluded him. After being unable to quickly restart his engine following a small mistake at the previous round, he looked to get back to his winning ways on the rolling hills of Sunset Ridge.
“This track really is like home [to me].” Janssen expressed with excitement before the weekend began. “I’ve spun more laps here than anywhere else this season. It’s a short four-hour drive from home and the track is SO good it’s worth the trip just about every chance I get. I can’t wait to go racing at the event we look forward to most!”
Conditions were primo during Friday’s practice which saw the #25 of Janssen turn the fastest lap time of the day during his final session, but if track conditions were a perfect ten on Friday they were nowhere near that for Saturday’s first motos. Multiple inches of rain created a deluge for riders as standing water covered the racetrack. You could see the urgency to get out front early as Janssen grabbed the holeshot, however just a few corners into the race deep water sucked his ATV off the racetrack. Cody showed poise and confidence in his mud riding ability as he bided his time before making a pass for the lead early on lap two. His confidence was verified as he went on to finish multiple laps ahead of the rest of the field en route to a Moto 1 win.
The rain had subsided for Sunday; however, its presence was still felt. A result of all that saturation, racers were now greeted by a rough racetrack for Moto 2. Janssen grabbed another holeshot and lead wire to wire in the much drier conditions, clinching his third national victory on the season in the Junior 25+ class. On a weekend with many curveballs, he had an answer for every one of them. Cody Janssen battled through it all to earn yet another victory.
“So pumped to get back on track this weekend! The Sunset Ridge crew did an incredible job with the track given the weather they were faced with. Yesterday we survived some pretty crazy conditions, and then today we were able to finish it off! Every win is memorable, but this one is extra special being on Father’s Day. We don’t have much, but we do have these memories and we have each other, [and] that’s all I need. Love you, Dad, happy Father’s Day! … This is a strong stretch with my favorite tracks all in a row, so we’ll look to keep the momentum going heading into Unadilla!” Janssen said following his 1-1 performance in Illinois.
In the official yearend points standings, racers are given the opportunity to drop their two lowest finishes – these are called “throw-outs”. On paper, Janssen is currently one point out of the championship lead, but as soon as you start factoring in “throw-outs” his three victories put him ahead of the rest of the field. With three races remaining, Cody is squarely in control of his own destiny. He will look to grab full control of the championship in upstate New York just over a week from now.
37 national event wins and counting, as well as making these memories with his loved ones, 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, the Hanabarger Family, Dallas Janssen, and many others. Without such amazing support, chasing dreams and goals would never be possible. Photos thanks to Logan Tremellen and Kyle Russell. Up next, historic Unadilla Mx in New Berlin, New York, on June 29-30. We’ll see you at the “home of horsepower”, one of Cody Janssen’s favorite tracks!
