Janssen Runner-Up at Loretta Lynn’s Season Finale Aboard his Yamaha YFZ450R
(Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. August 14, 2022) – After nearly a yearlong hiatus from competition, Cody Janssen made his return to ATV Motocross National Championship racing at Redbud’s penultimate round of the 2022 season. The 4-time National Champion hadn’t planned to miss any of the 2022 season, let alone a sizeable portion of it, but switching manufacturers and building machines capable of winning races had proven to be a massive undertaking in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and all the complications that it created. However, when Cody Janssen returned to ATV national racing, he picked up right where he left off as one of the fastest riders in ATV racing today. Janssen finished the weekend runner-up behind Pro Sport National Champion Brett Musick in the 25+ class. As the series headed to its customary finale at Loretta Lynn’s, you best believe there was no way Cody Janssen was going to miss thelegendary event.
Loretta Lynn’s Dude Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, has been the annual late-summer world capital of motocross racing for over four decades. This iconic facility famously hosts the most prestigious amateur motocross event on the planet before hosting the stars of ATV Motocross in early August. Motocross all around the world is halted for this yearly occasion, with the industry’s sole spotlight pointed directly at “The Ranch”. More motocross dreams are realized at this historic facility than anywhere else on earth and the memories made this year would be more cherished than ever following the major flooding that devastated the area following last year’s event, jeopardizing this year’s event in the process. However, the facility was rebuilt, events went on as scheduled, and Cody Janssen (and his crew) would look to make the most out of another opportunity to compete aboard his shiny new Yamaha YFZ450R steed.
Following a strong debut aboard his Yamaha YFZ450R at Redbud, Cody stated that he felt better every time he took to the racetrack. That constant improvement in comfort would continue at Loretta’s, as he quickly got back into the swing of things in Friday practice. It’s not an easy task to jump in when the rest of the competition has settled into racing all summer long, but Cody was feeling good heading into the weekend and decided to spice things up even further heading into Saturday’s racing action. After putting his #25 machine on the Pro Sport overall podium at Redbud one year prior, Cody had visions of a repeat performance now on his new bLU cRU ride – he’d be lining up in Pro Sport, as well as the class that saw him win back-to-back National Championships in 2019 and 2020 (25+), at Loretta Lynn’s.
“They say, ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’ and that is so true when talking about this 2022 season. After a delayed start, it's been SO good to be back at the races these last couple weeks.” Cody posted to his official social media accounts following the event. “Loretta's is such a special place; I anxiously look forward to this trip each andevery year. This season we weren't in the running to clinch a National Championship or make a last turn pass to secure a Pro Am podium spot like years past, but I'll remember Loretta Lynn's 2022 just as fondly.
I spent the ENTIRE weekend chatting with all of youawesome people about my Yamaha YFZ450R, bench racing about all the storylines we've been following on the [Digging Deep ATVMX Podcast], the fun of ATV Fantasy, and all other things Digging Deep. It's amazing how many of you are invested in what the @diggingdeepatvmxpodcast has become. Thanks to you, I don't have to wonder if we're bettering the sport or not, because I think the answer is an obvious one.
On track, we made some more gains with the new machine this weekend! P-2 again to Brett Musick in 25+, and I again have no shame in finishing runner-up to the current Pro Sport champ [laughs]. I decided to jump into Pro Sport as well, and I ended up 4-7 for 7th. I had more in me but got very sketchy in one of the rough sections in Moto 2 and, after somehow saving it, backed it down just a little.
Overall, what an amazing few weeks this has been. I look at this beautiful Yamaha YFZ450R and still can't believe this is my build. It's been amazing to be back at the ATV nationals doing what I love, as well as hearing from so many of you that have come to love Digging Deep, andoverall I am just so grateful for it all.
Next up on the schedule is our first annual Digging Deep ATV Ride Day at Pusheta Creek MX in Wapakoneta, Ohio, on Saturday August 27th. This is an event we put together for EXACTLY what I outlined above — spinning laps together, bench racing, and overall having an unforgettable day at the track together as an ATV community. Hope to see you there!
Thanks to all of my supporters, none of this would be possible without you! 💙🤟”
Like Cody said, there are so many people he must thank for helping make his return to racing a successful one. Cody must thank all the loyal listeners and partners of his Digging Deep ATVMX Podcast, the most listened-topodcast in ATV racing! He must also thank the riders and families who have trusted andsupported the Cody Janssen Riding School over the years. Huge thank you to Yamaha Outdoors, Wienen Motorsports, PEP Performance Tuning, and Paul Turner for the great deal of support and guidance this season. Thanks for the continued support to SSI Decals, CST Tires, Valvoline, Elka Suspension, FMF Racing, and All Balls Racing Group – without the continued support of these long-time believers none of this would be possible. Thank you to his family, wife Brooke, mechanic Dan Binder, and the rest of the crew at Janssen Motorsports. Extreme gratitude continues to GPS Offroad Products, Ameriprise and the Hemauer Financial Group, E-Z Up Brand, Klink Equipment and Klink Hydraulics, Jay Gobel and Casey Greek of Impact Solutions, Hinson Clutch Components, Thor MX, Parts Unlimited, D.I.D Chain, Atlas Brace, the Stanfield family and Napa (of Peru, Indiana), Cliff Cox and Oshkosh Tattoo & Good Girl Piercing, Precision Powder LLC, Bell Helmets, 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, PRP Racing, Pro-Tec Racing, B.C.C. Skids, Evans Waterless Powersports Coolant, Blenders Eyewear,Rocket Machining and Design, Northern Chill, Rocky Mountain ATV MC, producer Dallas Janssen, and many others. Without such incredible support, the continued pursuit of dreams and goals would never be possible – including adding to his 42national event win total, 4 National Championships (including back-to-back titles in 2019 & 2020), and all the pricelessmemories made along the way.
The ATV Motocross National Championship season may have come to an end, but the exciting times continue for Cody Janssen and family with a loaded schedule still on the horizon. First, it’s off to host the first annual Digging Deep ATV Ride Day and then it’s wedding time for Cody and his beautiful bride Brooke! Thank you to everyone you stuck with and supported the #25 during this crazy year. The groundwork has been laid for a BIG-TIME 2023 season, can’t wait! See you there!
Rest in peace, Loretta Lynn. An unlikely motocross legend, thank you for all that you have done to support the sport that we love. On behalf of all of American motocross, we are forever grateful for you.
Photos courtesy of Tremellen Media House.
