Cody Janssen Earns Hard-Fought Victory at Sunset Ridge
Sunset Ridge MX, located in the small northern Illinois town of Walnut, is one of the most beautiful motocross facilities one will ever lay eyes on. One weekend each and every year, owners Bob and Jan Pistole share their beautiful home property with the world’s top ATV racers. The track’s beautiful sandy soil and immaculately kept conditions greet incoming riders just like the virgin forests and wild prairies greeted the New England settlers that first colonized the area back in the 1830s. The Pistole family are always the most gracious of hosts, but this year was extra special as the couple were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary on the same weekend that their track hosted the ATV Motocross National Championship. As the ATV community congregated at Sunset Ridge, one rider in particular came into the weekend feeling the need to get back in the winner’s circle.
Cody Janssen’s season through the first two races has been solid, but a pair of runner-up finishes certainly isn’t what the reigning Junior 25+ National Champion was expecting. Sunset Ridge is a favorite stop on the tour for plenty of riders, but for Janssen it also serves at his “home” national event on the schedule – meaning there would be no better place for the 2019 champ to grab the reigns of the 2020 campaign, just like he did one year prior. Cody put a great deal of pressure on himself coming into the weekend, treating round 3 of the championship like a must win – and he delivered.
In Moto 1, similar to essentially every other moto to that point this season, it was close but no cigar for Cody Janssen. He made a few quick passes to get into 2nd, but never could truly challenge for the lead. Cody ended the moto just a few seconds short of the victory, but true to his gritty and ultra-competitive nature, he said he just had a special feeling about Sunday’s Moto 2. Janssen obviously knew something that everyone else didn’t, because he ripped a textbook holeshot to control the first corner and never looked back. After studying the track in-depth throughout the day, by getting the holeshot it allowed Cody to choose all the lines that he had picked out and envisioned leading up to the race. The #25 was fast out of the gate and consistent while setting the pace through the end of the moto. With 2-1 moto scores on the weekend, Cody Janssen was jubilant as he crossed the finish line to claimed the overall victory. With the win, Janssen is now the current point leader in the Junior 25+ division of the ATV Motocross National Championship!
“What an awesome weekend!” Janssen said with a big smile and his #1 plate in hand. “I just had a good feeling, I had it all week…and even had it the moment I crossed the finish line in Moto 1. [In the second moto] I ripped a killer holeshot and there was no way I was going to give up the lead there. I felt super comfortable today and we got it done…This feeling is what I live for and it’s even more special on Father’s Day.” He then followed up on social media by saying, “Winning is great, but winning together as a team with the ones you love is priceless. I wouldn’t trade these memories for gold.”
Yet another national event win, his 39th to date, and a title defense is something unachievable alone – it’s thanks to the incredible support system that the reigning champ has behind him. Cody must thank all the loyal listeners and sponsors of his Digging Deep ATVMX Podcast, the #1 podcast in ATV racing! He must also thank the riders and families who continue to support the Cody Janssen Riding School. Huge thank you for the continued support to SSI Decals, CST Tires, Valvoline, Elka Suspension, FMF Racing, and Pivot Works – without the continued support of these long-time believers none of this would be possible. Thank you to his family, girlfriend Brooke, mechanic Dan Binder, and the rest of the crew at Janssen Motorsports. Extreme gratitude continues to Goldspeed Products, Ameriprise and the Hemauer Financial Group, 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, All Balls Racing, Hot Cams, Hot Rods, Cylinder Works, Vertex, 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, the Dean and Pauline Janssen family, Pat McGuire, Energy Release, Pro-Tec Racing, Evans Waterless Powersports Coolant, Blenders Eyewear, First Endurance, Pro Moto Billet/Fastway, Nova Racing Transmissions, Rocket Machining and Design, Mountaineer Brand, Dallas Janssen, and many others. Without such amazing support, continuing the pursuit of dreams and goals would never be possible. Photos curtesy of Logan Tremellen and Ph3 Photo.
As the series closes its’ Sunset Ridge chapter for another season, Cody Janssen and his crew want to wish Bob and Jan Pistole a happy 40th wedding anniversary and thank the entire Sunset Ridge MX family for their amazing hospitality. The ATV Motocross National Championship series now heads east to Pleasure Valley Raceway in Seward, Pennsylvania. We hope to see you there on the weekend of July 4/5! God bless.
