Janssen and ATV Community Come Together in Wake of Tragedy

Janssen and ATV Community Come Together in Wake of Tragedy

TimeThursday, July 6, 2017 | 7:05 PM
TimeThursday, July 6, 2017 | 7:05 PM

ATV motocross is a family. The track is where we’ve found our greatest friends. The track is where we’ve made some of our greatest memories. The track is our happy place and ATVMX is our lives. On Saturday July 1, 2017, however, tragedy struck at Spring Creek Mx as the ATV motocross community lost a young racer oozing with potential and an infectious personality.  Kyler Lenz, a Wisconsin native, a Cody Janssen Riding School graduate, a great friend, an amazing talent, left us far too soon at the age of 14. Please keep Kevin Lenz, his wife Nicole, all their family and the Heartland Building Co. crew in your thoughts and prayers throughout this difficult time.

Racing was almost an afterthought on a weekend this tough, but the picture of consistency, Cody pushed his way to an 8th overall in Pro Am and 13th in the AMA ATV Pro Class. With a heavy heart, the #25 was out there doing his best as Kyler would have wanted.

“I am at a complete loss for words. On Saturday we lost a sweet young boy whose presence and personality can never be replaced. Kyler was so smart, so kind, so happy; he always had a smile on his face. The racing community came together yesterday for the Lenz family and showed what a big family ATVMX is. I am grateful for our time together buddy, I love you like a brother. You're spirit and our memories will live on forever. Team Kyler forever.” Cody Janssen via social media Monday.

It goes without saying that the rest of Cody Janssen’s season will be in memory of Kyler. So many great people make all this possible, Cody must thank all the incredible individuals who show their support and make competing at the highest level possible. He must thank the Londerville family and Londerville Steel for coming on as the title sponsor for this season, without Jereme and his family none of this would be possible. Thank you to Heartland Building Co., Elka Suspension, Maxxis Tires, Jay at Impact Solutions, SSI Decals, Walsh Racecraft, Valvoline, FMF, Pivot Works [Vertex, Hot Cams, Hotrods], Koster Racing, Hinson Clutch Components, DP Brakes, Thor MX, 100%, E-Z UP, Midwest Restoration, Cliff Cox at Oshkosh Tattoo and Good Girl Piercing, Risk Racing, the Stanfield family at Napa of Peru, Indiana; Pafford EMS, Reynolds Body Shop, Outlaw Mx LLC, FourWerx Carbon, 1st Endurance, DT-1 Filters, Sunstar Sprockets, D.I.D Chains, Nova Racing Gears, Galfer USA, Rath Racing, Renthal, Works Connection, 4Arm Strong, Don Straus, Pro-Tec, Energy Release, Precision PowderCoat, Goldspeed, Jeremy Edwards at Edwards Auctioneering, Corey Garrison at Parts Unlimited, Kay Gunn PT, Frank Vallone/Vallone Racing and family, Dream Chaser Designs, CV4, Xceldyne, Amped Apparel, Dominic Sumpolec’s The Program, CP-Carrillo, Motion Pro, Pro Moto Billet, his phenomenal mechanics (Joel Janssen, Haley Davis, Dan Binder, and Todd Blom), Ken Hill for the photos, and everyone else that supports him. Cody will be on the hunt for another holeshot and a podium finish in Unadilla, NY on July 15-16. God bless.