Janssen, Pro Rookie of the Year, Shines at Loretta Lynn’s
- Updated: August 12, 2014
They say that all great things must come to an end sooner or later. Well this was the case as the 2014 Mountain Dew AMA ATV National Motocross Championship headed into Hurricane Mills, Tennessee to Loretta Lynn’s Dude Ranch for the series finale. AMA ATV Pro Rookie of the Year, Cody Janssen, and the rest of the world’s best ATV racers came into this final race ready to end their season on a high note. With poor weather conditions looming, a win at Loretta’s was going to be anybody’s for the taking. And with the Rookie of the Year award already wrapped up for the #40 of Cody Janssen, he had nothing to lose.
Wisconsin’s own rookie phenom, Cody Janssen, came into Loretta’s feeling that these sacred motocross grounds owed him one. In 2012, Cody had a mechanical failure with 2 laps remaining in the Pro Am 2nd moto while running 2nd to Champion Cody Gibson. In 2013, Cody again had a mechanical failure with 2 laps remaining. Again it was in the Pro Am class, but this time he was leading. The Pro Am Overall win would’ve been the first of his young career. So, as I’m sure you can imagine, he was fired up and ready to right the ship from the previous years of heartache. Cody came out of the gate on fire qualifying 8th in the morning’s timed qualifying session right behind “The Ironman”, John Natalie. The 1st Pro Class moto would see the #40 have an electrical issue with his machine, resulting in a DNF. Once again, like always it seems at Loretta’s, Cody was out for revenge. He flew out of the gate on RacerTV’s live coverage, nearly gaining the holeshot before eventual moto winner, Josh Creamer, claimed it. The #40’s fans went crazy as he ran in 4th place on the opening lap. But not even a full lap into the race, roost from Chad Weinen somehow derailed Janssen’s roll off system and he had to toss his goggles. Cody was now in survival mode, but still running in the top 5 at the 2nd moto’s midway point. Shortly thereafter it became too much for him though. Mud, water, and contacts don’t mix well in your eyes. Cody came in for another set of goggles and ran some of the race’s best laptimes; the Rookie of the Year was still able to salvage a top 10 finish in Moto 2.
Tough early conditions on Sunday, along with a few close calls, and one start that wasn’t quite up to par made for yet another hard day from Cody Janssen to swallow in Pro Am. But he was able to push through and salvage a 7th Overall finish out of it.
Cody wasn’t able to make his media availability timeslot as a result of dealing with all the mud and dirt in his eyes. We were able to catch up with him at the end of the weekend however. “First of all, I apologize for making you guys wait. I had so much mud in my eyes, I still do! But they are improving; I flushed them for 3 straight hours after the pro 2nd moto.” Janssen said still clearly in discomfort. “We had a top 5 finish in us today. Without the eye issue, there’s no doubt in my mind we had it. But to see where we are now and where we started 2014, there’s no reason to think that we can’t be battling for top 5s in every moto next year…There are big things coming for 2015, so many great people behind me. I can’t wait!” (When asked about Pro Am): “In the first moto, we gambled and ran the cross country tires. We chose them, knowing they would be a bit of a disadvantage throughout the race, but they nearly guaranteed us a good start. In moto 2 we got a great start before a little tangle and then had to climb up through the pack. We came away with a 7th overall, after a tough day it definitely could be worse. We moved up a few spots in the points too, so how could I complain after that? God is great!”
Last but not least, Cody must thank all his sponsors and supporters because without them the dream he is living out would never be possible. First and foremost his team, FSI/Janssen Motorsports, Roy, Faye, and Troy Hill, Jimmy Sims, his amazing family, friends, and fan base. Thank you to Elka Suspension for everything they do for #40, phenomenal products and even better people. Also, Corrosion Specialties and the Parrish Family, Maxxis Tires, SSI Decals, Walsh Racecraft, Makson Construction, FMF, Renthal, DP Brakes, Thor MX, 100%, Oshkosh Tattoo and Good Girl Piercing, Napa of Peru, Indiana; Dynamite ATV, Quadtech, Tweeked Powderworks, Honda East Toledo, Rath, Hinson Clutches, Stephen Propson at P501, CP Pistons, KIK ATV, Maxima, Sunstar, D.I.D, Don Straus, 136 Photography, Pro-Tec, ASM13, Jeremiah Jones, Jeremy Edwards, Corey Garrison at Parts Unlimited, Terry Moore at Advanced Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, Dynamic Graphics, Team AndyStrong, Londerville Steel Enterprises, The Keane Family, his phenomenal mechanics (Joel Janssen, Todd Blom, Dan Binder, and Chris Ginger), as well as everyone else that supports him. Special thanks to Daniel Owens at Number One ATV for the photos from the weekend. Until the 2015 season, God bless.
