Janssen Survives Mud at High Point, Looks to Thrive at Monster Mountain

Tuesday, May 31, 2016 | 10:10 AM

High Point Raceway located in Mount Morris, Pennsylvania is celebrating its 40^th year of Pro Motocross in 2016. It was an honor for reigning ATV Derby Pro World Champion Cody Janssen and the rest of the AMA ATV Motocross community to be a part of the 40^th year of racing at such a prestigious and storied raceway. But on this weekend, it seemed as if mother nature wanted to be a part of the event as well – she nearly took center stage.

Cody Janssen finished out moto 1 at High Point inside the top 10. Photo: Courtesy of Cody Janssen

Friday’s amateur practice saw beautiful weather conditions, but Saturday’s pro event would be a much different story as rain all through the night continued into the day. Sloppy conditions didn’t stop the world’s best ATV motocross athletes from turning burning fast lap times, but off the main race line it was a muddy mess - enough to stop a rider dead in his tracks. In Pro Moto 1, Cody Janssen pulled a solid top 10 holeshot but soon thereafter got hung up in the mud. Janssen raced a solid race to finish inside the top 10 by moto’s end. Pro Moto 2 was even wetter. After a GREAT holeshot, Cody managed to get stuck together with frontrunner Thomas Brown in the sloppy first corner resulting in starting the moto half a lap down. The #25 rider rebounded to finish just outside the top 10 in 11^th.

Sunday’s Pro-Am racing would have a similar narrative. An average start in muddy Moto 1 saw Janssen turn good lap times while racing up through the pack to an 8^th place finish. Cody looked to end the weekend on a good note, and set himself up well for that with a top 5 start in moto 2. But shortly thereafter a throttle malfunction cost him all kind of spots. He limped the #25 over the finish line to a 9^th place finish, and even that was an amazing feat.

Janssen is looking to improve for next round. Photo: Courtesy of Cody Janssen

“Tough weekend man,” Janssen admitted post-race. “From all the mud to running up front and having my whole throttle come apart on me, it was just tough. Thankfully we have a chance to go home, get better, and come out swinging at Monster Mountain. We should be on the podium every single weekend, and that’s my motivation right now. All the people who continue to believe in me, I’m going to prove you right.”

Since returning home from Pennsylvania, Cody has been pulling out all the stops at the practice track to improve his craft. With his body, though not close to 100%, finally letting him get some seat time, he’s been at the practice track day after day grinding it out.

“It’s only up from here, and the only way to get there is with hard work. There’s a rumor going around that I’m on the event tee for Alabama, I want nothing more than to have a special performance at a special event for me personally. We’ll be more ready that we have been at any other time this year.” Cody said with a grin.

Cody has been hitting the practice track every day to prepare himself for the upcoming round at Monster Mountain. Photo: Courtesy of Cody Janssen

Cody’s chase for his 3^rd National Championship wouldn’t be possible without the great care and support of the people that continue to back him. He must thank his parents/family and the rest of the Janssen Motorsports crew; Thank you to the Londerville family and Londerville Steel for stepping up for Cody when he needed it most. Thank you to Elka Suspension for their support of the #25, phenomenal products and people. Also, thanks to Jay at Impact Solutions, Maxxis Tires, SSI Decals, Walsh Racecraft, Valvoline, Koster Racing, FMF, Pivot Works, Hinson Clutch Components, DP Brakes, Thor MX, 100%, E-Z UP, Cliff Cox and Oshkosh Tattoo and Good Girl Piercing, Risk Racing, Napa of Peru, Indiana; Pafford EMS, FourWerx Carbon, Sconnie Nation, 1^st Endurance, Piping Service INC., DT-1 Filters, Sunstar Sprockets, D.I.D Chains, Galfer USA, Rath Racing, Renthal, Works Connection, 4Arm Strong, Don Straus, Pro-Tec, PHC Coatings, Jeremy Edwards at Edwards Auctioneering, Corey Garrison at Parts Unlimited, Evans Coolant, Terry Moore, Ken Hill, Frank Vallone and family, his phenomenal mechanics (Joel Janssen, Todd Blom, Haley Davis and Dan Binder), Ken Hill always for the photos, and everyone else that supports him. The Janssen team is like a set of gears, Joel and Lisa Janssen along with Haley Davis (girlfriend) make Cody and his racing successful, it wouldn’t be possible without each and every one of them. The #25 will be back and better than ever, see you at Monster Mountain! God bless.