Cody Janssen Maintains Championship Points Lead at RedBud
RedBud Motocross, located in Buchanan, Michigan, is an absolute favorite for motocross riders, racers, and fans alike. Famously known as the American’s Motocross Track for itsperfect soil, beautiful scenic views, and its’ massive(and now iconic) American flag that oversees the entire facility – it truly is the American capital of motocross racing. Each year in late July, the ATV Motocross National Championship series comes to the small bustling community. Less than two years removed from hosting motocross’ version of the Olympics, known as the Motocross of Nations (MXoN), it was time for the fastest four-wheeled racers on the planet to take to the world class facility. Coming off two consecutive wins in the Junior 25+ class, all eyes were on Cody Janssen as he’d look to take one step closer to defending his 2019 Junior 25+ National Championship in southwestern Michigan.
Hailing from Kaukauna, Wisconsin, RedBud is just under a 5-hour trip for Cody Janssen and his crew – making it one of the few “home” races on the national tour. Like so many others, it also happens to be the reigning champ’s favorite track, so it’s good vibes all around for team two-five on RedBud week! The ultra-competitive Junior 25+ division has become a must-watch, and this weekend was no different as it featured four former AMA ATV Pro Class racers. Conditions were perfect, the track was its customary rough self, and Cody Janssen and company were ready to do battle once again.
On a course as demanding as RedBud, strength and fitness are even more mandatory than at other stops on the tour. For this reason, you can see why it would be a favorite for Janssen, as the track’s rough conditions seem to lend itself to a big strong rider like him. This speed and strength was apparent on Friday and carried over into the weekend of racing. In Moto 1, Janssen didn’t get the greatest of holeshots but quickly found himself in second early in the race. He stalked the leader until the checkered flag flew, coming up just a half-second short of the win – but you could feel his confidence going into Sunday’s duel. The narrative quickly changed however, when the top three from the first moto all got tangled at the start of Moto 2. With a machine that was bent out of shape, missing parts, and now being way behind the rest of the pack – Cody started his charge to the front from outside the top 10. He would ultimately charge up to 5th, making up a ton of ground late in the race, and miraculously only needed one more pass to claim the overall win – but it wasn’t meant to be as he couldn’t get another rider in his sights. The 2-5 moto scores earned Cody Janssen 4thoverall at RedBud. This was just the second time in the 21 events since stepping down from the Pro Class that Janssen didn’t earn a podium finish. These last three seasons have seen Cody earn 19 podiums finishes with 9 victories at the 21 events to date. Despite the unfortunate luck, the points chase stayed relatively intact with Cody Janssen leading the way by 7 points with three races remaining.
“Man, what a missed opportunity.” Janssen admitted after the dust had settled. “We came up just short on Saturday,but I was so confident going into [Sunday’s Moto 2], I felt like I had some things in my back pocket…but I never got the chance to use them. After I got out from that mess I started making as many passes as possible, and the finishes were so reversed all I needed was one more pass to win the overall – but I just couldn’t get close enough…[We’re] still looking good in the points chase, and we’ll live to fight another day.”
Forty national event wins 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 KindrickRacing, 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, RathRacing, 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 TremellenMedia House, PH3 Photos, and Tmate Photography.
The ATV National Championship series won’t be making its’ traditional stop at Loretta Lynn’s Dude Ranch this summer like it has so many times before, but the round isn’t completely lost. A replacement event will be held at Lake Sugar Tree Motorsports Park in Axton, Virginia, on the weekend of August 22/23. The event will serve as a memorial for long-time series referee Robert “Smitty” Smith who lost his battle with cancer in 2012. As the summer seems to just keep getting hotter, so does the racing in the ATV Motocross National Championship series. Don’t miss its next chapter in the story of Cody Janssen’s title defense when we get to Virginia. See you there!
