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Event: Monster Truck Winter Nationals
Venue: Show Me Center
Location: Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Date: February 11th, 2012
Photographer: Danny Maass
Lineup: Bigfoot Bad Boy #16 (Larry Swim), Clydesdale (Bennett Clark), Monkey’N Around (Steven Hill), Outtacontrol (Orville Hill), Strait Jacket (Kevin King) [Read more…]
We are at roughly the halfway point on the 2012 “TMB Road to the World Finals” after 6 weeks of Monster Jam competition, and it’s Ryan Anderson and Son Uva Digger still occupying the #1 position. After an OK weekend in Miami, Anderson has seen his lead fall to less than 5 points over Tom Meents. Meents and Maximum Destruction picked up several wins in Nashville to close the gap on the leader.
With a runner-up finishes in racing and freestyle in Anaheim, Adam Anderson has moved Grave Digger The Legend back to third overall. Dennis Anderson is fourth after a solid weekend in Miami, while Neil Elliott’s double down performance in Anaheim has vaulted him into the top 5.
Trying to stay in the top 24 has been the most interesting battle as this week has seen Darren Migues fall out, back to 26th, while John Seasock has moved into a tie for 23rd with Morgan Kane to jump in. Chad Fortune holds the 25th spot overall and is once again just a single point from the cutoff.
Even after a so-so weekend in Miami, Ryan Anderson retains the top spot by less than 5 points over Tom Meents.
Check out the Road to the World Finals unofficial rankings after Week #6 below:
Here is how points were scored in this weekend’s Elite Level events:
2/11 – Miami, Florida
Racing Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned
1st – Jimmy Creten – Bounty Hunter – 20
2nd – Dennis Anderson – Grave Digger – 15
Semi-Finals – Jon Zimmer – Amsoil Shock Therapy – 7.5
Semi-Finals – Lupe Soza – Grinder – 7.5
Freestyle Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned
1st – Lupe Soza – Grinder – 20
2nd – Jimmy Creten – Bounty Hunter – 15
Tie 3rd – Dennis Anderson – Grave Digger – 5
Tie 3rd – Ryan Anderson – Son Uva Digger – 5
Tie 3rd – Marc MacDonald – El Toro Loco – 5
2/11 – Anaheim, California
Racing Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned
1st – Neil Elliott – Maximum Destruction – 20
2nd – Adam Anderson – Grave Digger The Legend – 15
Semi-Finals – Mark Schroeder – The Felon – 7.5
Semi-Finals – Todd Leduc – Metal Mulisha – 7.5
Freestyle Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned
1st – Neil Elliott – Maximum Destruction – 20
2nd – Adam Anderson – Grave Digger The Legend – 15
3rd – Chad Fortune – Captain America – 10
Tie 4th – Todd Leduc – Metal Mulisha – 2.5
Tie 4th – Linsey Weenk – Lucas Oil Crusader – 2.5
For results from Normal Level events, check out the 2012 Results Tracker February 10th-12th Weekend Results page (drivers earn 5 points for a racing or freestyle win, 2 points for a wheelie or donut win).
Keep following TMB’s “Road to the World Finals” for all the results and current standings each week. Keep in mind this is all unofficial and is just for fun, and enjoy as we track the Monster Jam series all the way to the World Finals in March!
For some time, fans across the country have wondered why the USHRA does not run a public points system of some kind for their Monster Jam series. We are included in the group that would love to be able to follow the standings of such a series each week. We are of the belief that a berth in the Monster Jam World Finals should be earned based on performance throughout the year in both racing and freestyle. Regardless of what portion of the monster truck industry you favor, there is no denying that the Monster Jam World Finals is the biggest and highest profile event our sport has to offer. A chance to compete at this event is a big deal for many drivers out there, and it is our opinion that they should be able to earn their way in. We’re not saying that Feld Motorsports doesn’t pick the World Finalists based on performance currently–we’re simply saying that we don’t know how they make up the field because the process isn’t made public.
So with that in mind, we have created an UNOFFICIAL points system that is simple (although it may seem complicated) and that rewards performance in all Monster Jam events across the country leading up to the World Finals. In our Standings, we will show the cut-off after the 24th truck, indicating that IF entry to the World Finals was based SOLELY on performance, these are the drivers that would be headed to Las Vegas. Keep in mind that this is just for fun and has no actual bearing on the selection of World Finals participants. See below for a breakdown of our points system and our rationale for the decisions we made in creating it.
Elite Level Events
What is an Elite Level event? We define an Elite Monster Jam event as any with a field of 12 of more trucks. We have chosen to award these events the highest amount of points, because these are the highest profile Monster Jam events. These events are the ones held in the major stadiums in front of the biggest crowds, some of which are even televised on SPEED. It is our belief that performance in the highest profile shows should be weighted most heavily toward a World Finals berth because these events are most similar to the World Finals itself. The most points any one driver can score in an Elite Level event (and thus in any event) is 40. If an event meeting all of this criteria holds 3 or more shows over the course of a single weekend, the points for each show are worth half of what is listed below.
Racing Finish – Points Awarded
1st – 20
2nd – 15
Semi-Finals – 7.5
Freestyle Finish – Points Awarded
1st – 20
2nd – 15
3rd – 10
4th – 5
Normal Level Events
What is a Normal Level show? The majority of Monster Jam events held around the country are Normal Level shows. These events are typically held in smaller arenas around the country, consisting of multiple shows held over the course of the weekend (anywhere from 2-5), with fields of anywhere from 5-10 trucks. Looking at the points awarded for these shows, you will notice they are much less than the upper levels. We equate the significance level of an entire 4 show weekend of Normal Level events with the significance of one Elite Level show–thus, the maximum points a driver can earn in racing/freestyle each weekend at a Normal Level event is 40 (this based on the usual maximum # of shows being 4–a couple events being the exception with 5–and an available 10 points per show (10×4=40)). Beginning in 2012, we are also awarding 2 points for wheelie/donut contest wins as that information has become more readily available than when the Road to the World Finals was first started.
Wheelie/Donut Finish – Points Awarded
1st – 2
Racing Finish – Points Awarded
1st – 5
Freestyle Finish – Points Awarded
1st – 5
(Photo courtesy Jim Allen)
Amsoil Shock Therapy – Jon Zimmer
Backdraft – Jeremy Slifko
Bounty Hunter – Jimmy Creten
Brutus – Chris Bergeron
El Toro Loco – Marc MacDonald
Eradicator – Andy Slifko
Excaliber – Kevin Koszala
Grave Digger – Dennis Anderson
Grinder – Lupe Soza
Gun Slinger – Scott Hartsock
Madusa – Debra Miceli
Nitemare – Andy Hoffman
Scarlet Bandit – Dawn Creten
Son Uva Digger – Ryan Anderson
Storm Damage – Tim Mente
105.9 WBGG – Jeff Anderson
Bounty Hunter – Jimmy Creten
Grinder – Lupe Soza
Bounty Hunter – Darren Migues
Captain America – Chad Fortune
El Toro Loco – Chuck Werner
Grave Digger – Charlie Pauken
Grave Digger The Legend – Adam Anderson
Hot Wheels – Dan Evans
Ice Cream Man – Scott Sweat
Iron Outlaw – Ben Winslow
Lucas Oil Crusader – Linsey Weenk
M2D Camo Thunder – Andrew Peckhum
Maximum Destruction – Neil Elliott
Metal Mulisha – Todd Leduc
Razin Kane – JR McNeal
The Felon – Mark Schroeder
The Patriot – Dan Rodoni
Time Flys – Kelvin Ramer
Maximum Destruction – Neil Elliott
Maximum Destruction – Neil Elliott
Black Stallion – Mike Vaters
Iron Warrior – Trey Meyers
Maximum Destruction – Tom Meents
Predator – Allen Pezo
Prowler – Lenny Kuilder
War Wizard – Randy Moore
Maximum Destruction – Tom Meents
Maximum Destruction – Tom Meents
Maximum Destruction – Tom Meents
Maximum Destruction – Tom Meents
Predator – Allen Pezo
Predator – Allen Pezo
Maximum Destruction – Kreg Christensen
Rap Attack – Dave Rappach
Stone Crusher – Morgan Kane
Triple XXX – Chrissy Moler
West Virginia Mountaineer – R.B. Moler
Wolverine – Alex Blackwell
Rap Attack – Dave Rappach
Wolverine – Alex Blackwell
Maximum Destruction – Kreg Christensen
West Virginia Mountaineer – R.B. Moler
Stone Crusher – Morgan Kane
Stone Crusher – Morgan Kane
Maximum Destruction – Kreg Christensen
Wolverine – Alex Blackwell
Maximum Destruction – Kreg Christensen
Grave Digger – Rod Schmidt
Iron Man – Scott Buetow
Monster Mutt Rottweiler – Charles Benns
Northern Nightmare – Cam McQueen
Western Renegade – Barry Parkin
Iron Man – Scott Buetow
Monster Mutt Rottweiler – Charles Benns
Northern Nightmare – Cam McQueen
Northern Nightmare – Cam McQueen
Monster Mutt Rottweiler – Charles Benns
Monster Mutt Rottweiler – Charles Benns
Grave Digger – Rod Schmidt
Grave Digger – Rod Schmidt
Northern Nightmare – Cam McQueen
Bad Habit – Joe Sylvester
El Toro Loco – Becky McDonough
Grave Digger – Gary Porter
Grinder – John Seasock
Incinerator – Ryan Rice
Monster Mutt – Whit Tarlton
Raminator – Mark Hall
Rammunition – Mat Dishman
Raminator – Mark Hall
Rammunition – Mat Dishman
Grinder – John Seasock
Grinder – John Seasock
Monster Mutt – Whit Tarlton
Grinder – John Seasock
Grinder – John Seasock
Monster Mutt – Whit Tarlton
Grave Digger – Gary Porter
Grinder – John Seasock
Rammunition – Mat Dishman
Bad Habit – Joe Sylvester
Avenger – Jim Koehler
El Toro Loco – Aaron Basl
Grave Digger – Pablo Huffaker
Grinder – Frank Krmel
Mohawk Warrior – George Balhan
Monster Mutt Dalmation – Candace Jolly
Superman – Sean Duhon
Wrecking Crew – Steve Koehler
Grave Digger – Pablo Huffaker
Grinder – Frank Krmel
Grave Digger – Pablo Huffaker
Avenger – Jim Koehler
Mohawk Warrior – George Balhan
Grave Digger – Pablo Huffaker
Grave Digger – Pablo Huffaker
Grave Digger – Pablo Huffaker
Mohawk Warrior – George Balhan
Avenger – Jim Koehler
Superman – Sean Duhon
Mohawk Warrior – George Balhan
Mohawk Warrior – George Balhan
Grave Digger – Pablo Huffaker
Grave Digger – Pablo Huffaker
Crushstation – Greg Winchenbach
Grave Digger – Randy Brown
Higher Education – Jimmy Tracey
Monster Magic – Bryan Wright
Stone Crusher – Steve Sims
Thrasher – Pat Summa
TMNT – Joey Parnell
Thrasher – Pat Summa
Stone Crusher – Steve Sims
Grave Digger – Randy Brown
Crushstation – Greg Winchenbach
Grave Digger – Randy Brown
Stone Crusher – Steve Sims
TMNT – Joey Parnell
Monster Magic – Bryan Wright
Grave Digger – Randy Brown
Captain USA – Travis Groth
El Matador – David Baldwin
Grave Digger – Daron Basl
King Krunch – David Smith
Obsessed – Rick Swanson
Obsession – Jim Lenhertz
Tasmanian Devil – Taryn Laskey
Titan – Donald Epidendio
Tasmanian Devil – Taryn Laskey
Grave Digger – Daron Basl
Grave Digger – Daron Basl
Titan – Donald Epidendio
Titan – Donald Epidendio
Titan – Donald Epidendio
Titan – Donald Epidendio
Obsessed – Rick Swanson
Titan – Donald Epidendio
Batman – Norm Miller
Grave Digger – Chad Tingler
Iron Man – Lee O’Donnell
Monster Energy – Damon Bradshaw
Monster Mutt – Joe Miller
Spiderman – Bari Musawwir
Spiderman – Bari Musawwir
Spiderman – Bari Musawwir
Monster Energy – Damon Bradshaw
Monster Mutt – Joe Miller
Grave Digger – Chad Tingler
Monster Energy – Damon Bradshaw
Chalkboard Chuck – Michelle Simpson
E3 Spark Plugs Bigfoot #15 – Rick Long
Lucas Oil Stabilizer – Bobby Holman
Vi-Cor Bigfoot #11 – Darron Schnell
Lucas Oil Stabilizer – Bobby Holman
E3 Spark Plugs Bigfoot #15 – Rick Long
Lucas Oil Stabilizer – Bobby Holman
Lucas Oil Stabilizer – Bobby Holman
Fly-N-Hi – Mike Moon Jr.
God, Guts & Glory – Joey Stathas
Summit Bigfoot #18 – Dan Runte
Toxic – Travis Petri
Viper – Rich Blackburne
God, Guts & Glory – Joey Stathas
Summit Bigfoot #18 – Dan Runte
Summit Bigfoot #18 – Dan Runte
God, Guts & Glory – Joey Stathas
Summit Bigfoot #18 – Dan Runte
Fly-N-Hi – Mike Moon Jr.
Summit Bigfoot #18 – Dan Runte
Toxic – Travis Petri
Fly-N-Hi – Mike Moon Jr.
Big Dawg – Dale Gerding
Odyssey Batteries Bigfoot #14 – Eric Tack
Stinger – Zane Rettew
Tail Gator – Doug Noelke
Odyssey Batteries Bigfoot #14 – Eric Tack
Tail Gator – Doug Noelke
Odyssey Batteries Bigfoot #14 – Eric Tack
Odyssey Batteries Bigfoot #14 – Eric Tack
Stinger – Zane Rettew
Odyssey Batteries Bigfoot #14 – Eric Tack
Tail Gator – Doug Noelke
Odyssey Batteries Bigfoot #14 – Eric Tack
Ballistic – Mac Plecker
Heavy Hitter – Derick Anson
Monster X – Tommy Garst
The General – Dustin Lewis
War Wizard – Robert Parker
Heavy Hitter – Derick Anson
Heavy Hitter – Derick Anson
Heavy Hitter – Derick Anson
Heavy Hitter – Derick Anson
Heavy Hitter – Derick Anson
Heavy Hitter – Derick Anson
War Wizard – Robert Parker
Ballistic – Mac Plecker
Heavy Hitter – Derick Anson
Bigfoot Bad Boy #16 – Larry Swim
Clydesdale – Bennett Clark
Monkey’N Around – Steven Hill
Outtacontrol – Orville Hill
Strait Jacket – Kevin King
Bigfoot Bad Boy #16 – Larry Swim
Clydesdale – Bennett Clark
Bigfoot Bad Boy #16 – Larry Swim
Bigfoot Bad Boy #16 – Larry Swim
Clydesdale – Bennett Clark
Monkey’N Around – Steven Hill
Daredevil – Corey Schlichler
Firestone Bigfoot #10 – Kyle Doyle
Ghost Ryder – Larry Quick
Iron Horse – Rob French
Scorpion – Kyle Carrington
Firestone Bigfoot #10 – Kyle Doyle
Firestone Bigfoot #10 – Kyle Doyle
Firestone Bigfoot #10 – Kyle Doyle
Bar’s Leaks Eliminator – Greg Adams (Friday)
Barbarian – Devin Jones
Geter Done – Mitch Tulachka
Outlaw – Michael Harper (Saturday)
Rislone Defender – Zach Adams
RoboMachine – Shane Phreed
Barbarian – Devin Jones
Barbarian – Devin Jones
Barbarian – Devin Jones
Barbarian – Devin Jones
Outlaw – Michael Harper
Outlaw – Michael Harper
Bucked Up – Ed Miller
California Kid – BJ Johnson
Double Trouble – Tyler Groth
Maniac – Trent Hickie
Rock Star – Bill Payne
Rock Star – Bill Payne
Rock Star – Bill Payne
Rock Star – Bill Payne
Rock Star – Bill Payne
Double Trouble – Tyler Groth
Rock Star – Bill Payne
Episode: MT Unlimited 3.2
Event: Monster X Tour
Venue: Mississippi Coliseum
Location: Jackson, Mississippi
Date: January 20th-21st, 2012
Videographers: Colby Marshall
[/column]
[column size=”1-3″]
Ballistic – Mac Plecker
Evolution – Greg Sutton
Nite Stalker – Dalton Van Skyhawk
Sweet Tooth – Dave Rife
The General – Travis Thompson
War Wizard – Robert Parker
[/column]
[column size=”1-3″ last=”1″]
www.ExtremeTeam4x4.com
www.E3SparkPlugs.com
www.MonsterXTour.com
www.SweetToothMotorsports.com
www.WarWizardRacing.com
[/column] [Read more…]
(Coverage By Christopher Allen, Photos By Jim Allen)
Survival is crucial to success in monster truck racing. If you can’t keep your truck in one piece the whole night, someone else will walk onto the winner’s stage. And this year’s show at the Chase Field Monster Jam was a prime example of that. The show featured both Grave Digger and Son-Uva Digger with Carl Van Horn and Ryan Anderson driving. The “General” himself, Brian Deegan drove the Metal Mulisha for the first time in his career. Former World Finals fastest qualifier Marc McDonald brought El Toro Loco back. Linsey Weenk returned to Phoenix with the Lucas Oil Crusader. Former sprint car driver Taryn Laskey filled in for Nicole Johnson in Tasmanian Devil. The other teams were: Mitch Tulachka and Shane Phreed in Geter Done and Robo Machine. Allen Pezo and Ron Nelson drove Predator and Pouncer. Kelvin Ramer drove Time Flies and former California Kid driver Garrett Ladelle drove Detour. Rounding out the field were Mark Schroeder and Rod Wood driving the Felon and McGruff.
Grave Digger was ready to face the former Bustin’ Loose driver in Pouncer in the semi-finals when he lost oil pressure coming to the start line due to a rollover during introductions and had to be replaced by Felon, whom he had beaten the round before. Mark took advantage of the opportunity and won. In the other half of the semis with Son-Uva Digger taking on Crusader, Ryan spun out coming down the main straightaway of the so-cal style track only to get the win back when the former Canadian hit the jammer obstacle and flipped over. In the finals a broken ring and pinion in the back axle of Felon meant Predator, who had lost to him back in the opening round, had to take his place. In the final, it was neck and neck until the third member of the Anderson equation spun out again, giving Allen Pezo a huge win.
Brain Deegan set the bar early with a lead score of 20 and held the lead most of the night. El Toro Loco took the lead with only the two “Diggers” to go thanks to a score of 23. The man they call “CVH” saved his truck from another rollover, but was unable to fire back up and keep going with time still on the clock. When all was said and done, Ryan Anderson took the win by just one point, extending his perfect record of freestyle wins to five. But in true Anderson fashion, trophy or not, he came back out and unleashed his inner beast, giving the Digger-maniacs in the stands a wicked encore.
Monster Jam at Chase Field gets bigger every year this year’s show is one of the reasons why. For us at “The Allen Report”, Firebird Raceway is next on our schedule in April. Until then, thanks for reading, enjoy the great photos by Jim Allen and cheer on!
All content copyright TheMonsterBlog.com 2011.
Event: Monster Jam
Venue: Edward Jones Dome
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Date: February 4th, 2012
Photographer: Danny Maass
Lineup: Bounty Hunter (Jimmy Creten), El Toro Loco (Becky McDonough), Grave Digger (Carl Van Horn), Grinder (John Seasock), Ice Cream Man (Scott Sweat), Incinerator (Ryan Rice), Iron Man (Lee O’Donnell), Lucas Oil Crusader (Linsey Weenk), Maximum Destruction (Tom Meents), Metal Mulisha (Todd Leduc), Monster Energy (Damon Bradshaw), Monster Magic (Bryan Wright), Razin Kane (JR McNeal), Scarlet Bandit (Dawn Creten), Stone Crusher (Steve Sims), Tasmanian Devil (Taryn Laskey)
[Read more…]
The first weekend of February is in the books and Ryan Anderson has re-taken the top spot on TMB’s “Road to the World Finals” power rankings! Anderson stepped up with a huge double down performance in Vancouver to leap frog previous leader Tom Meents. Meents had a strong weekend in St. Louis, winning freestyle in Maximum Destruction, but his inability to make it past round two of racing cost him the top spot.
Gary Porter has moved back into the #3 position after another dominating weekend in Charleston, West Virginia. The fact that Porter has stayed in the top 5 without even having had the chance to compete in a stadium show this year speaks to how dominant he has been in the arena events he has run, evidenced by a jaw-dropping 31 wins so far in 2012. Charlie Pauken swept freestyle in Peoria to stay in the top 5, while Dennis Anderson’s racing win in Tampa keeps him in the top 5 overall.
The scramble for a spot in the top 24 continues to be intense, as this week saw Jimmy Creten in Bounty Hunter and Chad Tingler in Grave Digger move back in, knocking out John Seasock and Rod Schmidt. Morgan Kane currently hangs on to the 24th position by a single point over Chad Fortune in 25th.
Ryan Anderson retakes the #1 spot after a huge double down weekend in Vancouver!
Check out the Road to the World Finals unofficial rankings after Week #5 below:
Here is how points were scored in this weekend’s Elite Level events:
2/4 – St. Louis, Missouri
Racing Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned
1st – Jimmy Creten – Bounty Hunter – 20
2nd – Linsey Weenk – Lucas Oil Crusader – 15
Semi-Finals – Bryan Wright – Mopar Magic – 7.5
Semi-Finals – Steve Sims – Stone Crusher – 7.5
Freestyle Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned
1st – Tom Meents – Maximum Destruction – 20
2nd – Carl Van Horn – Grave Digger – 15
Tie 3rd – Jimmy Creten – Bounty Hunter – 7.5
Tie 3rd – Lee O’Donnell – Iron Man – 7.5
2/4 – Tampa, Florida
Racing Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned
1st – Dennis Anderson – Grave Digger – 20
2nd – Neil Elliott – Maximum Destruction – 15
Semi-Finals – Lupe Soza – Grinder – 7.5
Semi-Finals – Chris Bergeron – Brutus – 7.5
Freestyle Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned
1st – Jim Koehler – Avenger – 20
2nd – Lupe Soza – Grinder – 15
3rd – Neil Elliott – Maximum Destruction – 10
4th – Jeremy Slifko – Backdraft – 5
2/4 – Houston, Texas
Racing Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned
1st – Alex Blackwell – Wolverine – 20
2nd – Adam Anderson – Grave Digger The Legend – 15
Semi-Finals – Nicole Johnson – Grinder – 7.5
Semi-Finals – Kreg Christensen – Maximum Destruction – 7.5
Freestyle Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned
1st – Alex Blackwell – Wolverine – 20
2nd – Chad Fortune – Captain America – 15
Tie 3rd – Kreg Christensen – Maximum Destruction – 7.5
Tie 3rd – Daron Basl – Rod Ryan Show – 7.5
2/4 – Vancouver, British Columbia
1st – Ryan Anderson – Son Uva Digger – 20
2nd – Marc MacDonald – El Toro Loco – 15
Semi-Finals – Andrew Peckhum – M2D Camo Thunder – 7.5
Semi-Finals – George Balhan – Mohawk Warrior – 7.5
Freestyle Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned
1st – Ryan Anderson – Son Uva Digger – 20
2nd – Candace Jolly – Monster Mutt Dalmation – 15
Tie 3rd – George Balhan – Mohawk Warrior – 7.5
Tie 3rd – Marc MacDonald – El Toro Loco – 7.5
For results from Normal Level events, check out the 2012 Results Tracker February 3rd-5th Weekend Results page (drivers earn 5 points for a racing or freestyle win, 2 points for a wheelie or donut win).
Keep following TMB’s “Road to the World Finals” for all the results and current standings each week. Keep in mind this is all unofficial and is just for fun, and enjoy as we track the Monster Jam series all the way to the World Finals in March!
For some time, fans across the country have wondered why the USHRA does not run a public points system of some kind for their Monster Jam series. We are included in the group that would love to be able to follow the standings of such a series each week. We are of the belief that a berth in the Monster Jam World Finals should be earned based on performance throughout the year in both racing and freestyle. Regardless of what portion of the monster truck industry you favor, there is no denying that the Monster Jam World Finals is the biggest and highest profile event our sport has to offer. A chance to compete at this event is a big deal for many drivers out there, and it is our opinion that they should be able to earn their way in. We’re not saying that Feld Motorsports doesn’t pick the World Finalists based on performance currently–we’re simply saying that we don’t know how they make up the field because the process isn’t made public.
So with that in mind, we have created an UNOFFICIAL points system that is simple (although it may seem complicated) and that rewards performance in all Monster Jam events across the country leading up to the World Finals. In our Standings, we will show the cut-off after the 24th truck, indicating that IF entry to the World Finals was based SOLELY on performance, these are the drivers that would be headed to Las Vegas. Keep in mind that this is just for fun and has no actual bearing on the selection of World Finals participants. See below for a breakdown of our points system and our rationale for the decisions we made in creating it.
Elite Level Events
What is an Elite Level event? We define an Elite Monster Jam event as any with a field of 12 of more trucks. We have chosen to award these events the highest amount of points, because these are the highest profile Monster Jam events. These events are the ones held in the major stadiums in front of the biggest crowds, some of which are even televised on SPEED. It is our belief that performance in the highest profile shows should be weighted most heavily toward a World Finals berth because these events are most similar to the World Finals itself. The most points any one driver can score in an Elite Level event (and thus in any event) is 40. If an event meeting all of this criteria holds 3 or more shows over the course of a single weekend, the points for each show are worth half of what is listed below.
Racing Finish – Points Awarded
1st – 20
2nd – 15
Semi-Finals – 7.5
Freestyle Finish – Points Awarded
1st – 20
2nd – 15
3rd – 10
4th – 5
Normal Level Events
What is a Normal Level show? The majority of Monster Jam events held around the country are Normal Level shows. These events are typically held in smaller arenas around the country, consisting of multiple shows held over the course of the weekend (anywhere from 2-5), with fields of anywhere from 5-10 trucks. Looking at the points awarded for these shows, you will notice they are much less than the upper levels. We equate the significance level of an entire 4 show weekend of Normal Level events with the significance of one Elite Level show–thus, the maximum points a driver can earn in racing/freestyle each weekend at a Normal Level event is 40 (this based on the usual maximum # of shows being 4–a couple events being the exception with 5–and an available 10 points per show (10×4=40)). Beginning in 2012, we are also awarding 2 points for wheelie/donut contest wins as that information has become more readily available than when the Road to the World Finals was first started.
Wheelie/Donut Finish – Points Awarded
1st – 2
Racing Finish – Points Awarded
1st – 5
Freestyle Finish – Points Awarded
1st – 5
(Photo courtesy Jim Allen)
Monster Truck Radio With Host Ross Z. Bonar & Co-Host Chris Parrish
Date: Monday, February 6th, 2011
Guest #1: Larry Swim, driver of Bigfoot Bad Boy #16
Guest #2: Larry Quick, driver of Ghost Ryder [Read more…]
Event: Toughest Monster Truck Tour
Venue: Covelli Center
Location: Youngstown, Ohio
Date: February 3rd-4th, 2012
Photographer: Paul M. Harry
Lineup: Shell Camino (Shelley Kujat), Stinger (Zane Rettew), Summit Bigfoot (Dan Runte), Tail Gator (Doug Noelke), Toxic (Travis Petri) [Read more…]
Event: Monster Jam
Venue: Edward Jones Dome
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Date: February 4th, 2012
Photographer: Ross Z. Bonar
Lineup: Bounty Hunter (Jimmy Creten), El Toro Loco (Becky McDonough), Grave Digger (Carl Van Horn), Grinder (John Seasock), Ice Cream Man (Scott Sweat), Incinerator (Ryan Rice), Iron Man (Lee O’Donnell), Lucas Oil Crusader (Linsey Weenk), Maximum Destruction (Tom Meents), Metal Mulisha (Todd Leduc), Monster Energy (Damon Bradshaw), Monster Magic (Bryan Wright), Razin Kane (JR McNeal), Scarlet Bandit (Dawn Creten), Stone Crusher (Steve Sims), Tasmanian Devil (Taryn Laskey)
[Read more…]
Bounty Hunter – Jimmy Creten
El Toro Loco – Becky McDonough
Grave Digger – Carl Van Horn
Grinder – John Seasock
Ice Cream Man – Scott Sweat
Incinerator – Ryan Rice
Iron Man – Lee O’Donnell
Lucas Oil Crusader – Linsey Weenk
Maximum Destruction – Tom Meents
Metal Mulisha – Todd Leduc
Monster Energy – Damon Bradshaw
Monster Magic – Bryan Wright
Razin Kane – JR McNeal
Scarlet Bandit – Dawn Creten
Stone Crusher – Steve Sims
Tasmanian Devil – Taryn Laskey
Bounty Hunter – Jimmy Creten
Maximum Destruction – Tom Meents
Avenger – Jim Koehler
Backdraft – Jeremy Slifko
Brutus – Chris Bergeron
El Toro Loco – Chuck Werner
Eradicator – Andy Slifko
Grave Digger – Dennis Anderson
Grinder – Lupe Soza
Gun Slinger – Scott Hartsock
Hurricane Force – Steven Thompson
Madusa – Debra Miceli
Maximum Destruction – Neil Elliott
Nitemare – Andy Hoffman
Spike – Jeff Anderson
Storm Damage – Tim Mente
War Wizard – Randy Moore
Wrecking Crew – Steve Koehler
Grave Digger – Dennis Anderson
Avenger – Jim Koehler
Amsoil Shock Therapy – Jon Zimmer
Bad Habit – Joe Sylvester
Barbarian – Devin Jones
Captain America – Chad Fortune
El Toro Loco – Ryan Huffaker
Excaliber – Kevin Koszala
Grave Digger – Pablo Huffaker
Grave Digger The Legend – Adam Anderson
Grinder – Nicole Johnson
King Krunch – David Smith
Maximum Destruction – Kreg Christensen
Predator – Allen Pezo
Pouncer – Ron Nelson
Rod Ryan Show – Daron Basl
Superman – Sean Duhon
Wolverine – Alex Blackwell
Wolverine – Alex Blackwell
Wolverine – Alex Blackwell
Captain USA – Travis Groth
Detour – Garrett Ladelle
El Toro Loco – Marc MacDonald
Grave Digger – Rod Schmidt
M2D Camo Thunder – Andrew Peckhum
Mohawk Warrior – George Balhan
Monster Mutt Dalmation – Candace Jolly
Northern Nightmare – Cam McQueen
Son Uva Digger – Ryan Anderson
The Patriot – Dan Rodoni
Time Flys – Kelvin Ramer
Western Renegade – Barry Parkin
Son Uva Digger – Ryan Anderson
Son Uva Digger – Ryan Anderson
Bounty Hunter – Darren Migues
Desperado – Drew Haygood
Grave Digger – Chad Tingler
Ground Pounder – Chris Ryan
Iron Outlaw – Ben Winslow
Martial Law – Paul Strong
Michigan Ice Monster – Chris Lagana
Spiderman – Bari Musawwir
Spiderman – Bari Musawwir
Bounty Hunter – Darren Migues
Grave Digger – Chad Tingler
Grave Digger – Chad Tingler
Ground Pounder – Chris Ryan
Spiderman – Bari Musawwir
Desperado – Drew Haygood
Grave Digger – Chad Tingler
Grave Digger – Chad Tingler
Black Stallion – Mike Vaters
Crushstation – Greg Winchenbach
Grave Digger – Randy Brown
Higher Education – Jimmy Tracey
Iron Warrior – Trey Meyers
Shockwave – Bill Braukmann
Thrasher – Pat Summa
TMNT – Joey Parnell
Black Stallion – Mike Vaters
Black Stallion – Mike Vaters
Grave Digger – Randy Brown
Grave Digger – Randy Brown
Black Stallion – Mike Vaters
Black Stallion – Mike Vaters
Grave Digger – Randy Brown
Black Stallion – Mike Vaters
Black Stallion – Mike Vaters
Black Stallion – Mike Vaters
Grave Digger – Randy Brown
Grave Digger – Randy Brown
Grave Digger – Charlie Pauken
Hot Wheels – Dan Evans
Raminator – Mark Hall
Rammunition – Mat Dishman
Rap Attack – Dave Rappach
Samson – Dan Patrick
Grave Digger – Charlie Pauken
Rammunition – Mat Dishman
Grave Digger – Charlie Pauken
Grave Digger – Charlie Pauken
Raminator – Mark Hall
Grave Digger – Charlie Pauken
Rap Attack – Dave Rappach
Raminator – Mark Hall
Grave Digger – Charlie Pauken
Batman – Norm Miller
High Maintenance – Jocelyn Perrin
Mechanical Mischief – Jim Burns
Monster Mutt – Joe Miller
Predator – Steve Reynolds
Prowler – Lenny Kuilder
Batman – Norm Miller
Batman – Norm Miller
High Maintenance – Jocelyn Perrin
Monster Mutt – Joe Miller
High Maintenance – Jocelyn Perrin
Batman – Norm Miller
High Maintenance – Jocelyn Perrin
High Maintenance – Jocelyn Perrin
High Maintenance – Jocelyn Perrin
High Maintenance – Jocelyn Perrin
High Maintenance – Jocelyn Perrin
Monster Mutt – Joe Miller
Aftershock – Bob Robbins
Grave Digger – Gary Porter
Krazy Train – Mark Noto
Monster Mutt – Whit Tarlton
Triple XXX – Chrissy Moler
West Virginia Mountaineer – R.B. Moler
Grave Digger – Gary Porter
Grave Digger – Gary Porter
West Virginia Mountaineer – R.B. Moler
Grave Digger – Gary Porter
Monster Mutt – Whit Tarlton
Grave Digger – Gary Porter
Monster Mutt – Whit Tarlton
Grave Digger – Gary Porter
Grave Digger – Gary Porter
Grave Digger – Gary Porter
Monster Mutt – Whit Tarlton
Grave Digger – Gary Porter
Full Boar – Ed Eckert
Iron Man – Scott Buetow
Monster Mutt Rottweiler – Charles Benns
Reptoid – Jim Jack
Stone Crusher – Morgan Kane
Virginia Giant – Diehl Wilson
Monster Mutt Rottweiler – Charles Benns
Monster Mutt Rottweiler – Charles Benns
Monster Mutt Rottweiler – Charles Benns
Stone Crusher – Morgan Kane
Monster Mutt Rottweiler – Charles Benns
Monster Mutt Rottweiler – Charles Benns
Virginia Giant – Diehl Wilson
Monster Mutt Rottweiler – Charles Benns
Shell Camino – Shelley Kujat
Stinger – Zane Rettew
Summit Bigfoot #18 – Dan Runte
Tail Gator – Doug Noelke
Toxic – Travis Petri
Summit Bigfoot #18 – Dan Runte
Summit Bigfoot #18 – Dan Runte
Summit Bigfoot #18 – Dan Runte
Stinger – Zane Rettew
Summit Bigfoot #18 – Dan Runte
Summit Bigfoot #18 – Dan Runte
Bucked Up – Ed Miller
California Kid – BJ Johnson
Rock Star – Bill Payne
Titan – Anthony Epidendio (Friday) / Donald Epidendio (Saturday)
California Kid – BJ Johnson
California Kid – BJ Johnson
Rock Star – Bill Payne
California Kid – BJ Johnson
Rock Star – Bill Payne
Titan – Donald Epidendio
Ballistic – Mac Plecker
Heavy Hitter – Derick Anson
Vi-Cor Bigfoot #11 – Darron Schnell
War Wizard – Robert Parker
Ballistic – Mac Plecker
Heavy Hitter – Derick Anson
Vi-Cor Bigfoot #11 – Darron Schnell
Vi-Cor Bigfoot #11 – Darron Schnell
Heavy Hitter – Derick Anson
Heavy Hitter – Derick Anson
Heavy Hitter – Derick Anson
Heavy Hitter – Derick Anson
Heavy Hitter – Derick Anson
Bigfoot Bad Boy #16 – Larry Swim
Clydesdale – Bennett Clark
Formula 1 noni Iron Horse – Rob French
Strait Jacket – Kevin King
Wildfire – Kyle Carrington
Clydesdale – Bennett Clark
Bigfoot Bad Boy #16 – Larry Swim
Bigfoot Bad Boy #16 – Larry Swim
Bigfoot Bad Boy #16 – Larry Swim
Bigfoot Bad Boy #16 – Larry Swim
Formula 1 noni Iron Horse – Rob French
Daredevil – Corey Schlichler
Firestone Bigfoot #10 – Kyle Doyle
Ghost Ryder – Larry Quick
Monkey’N Around – Steven Hill
Outta Control – Orville Hill
Ghost Ryder – Larry Quick
Ghost Ryder – Larry Quick
Monkey’N Around – Steven Hill
Firestone Bigfoot #10 – Kyle Doyle
Firestone Bigfoot #10 – Kyle Doyle
Ghost Ryder – Larry Quick
1/2 Pint – Travis Sturges
God, Guts & Glory – Melissa Stathas
Nail It – Joey Stathas
Nasty Boy – Ronnie Sturges
Unnamed & Untamed – Sam Sturges
Unnamed & Untamed – Sam Sturges
Nasty Boy – Ronnie Sturges
Nasty Boy – Ronnie Sturges
Unnamed & Untamed – Sam Sturges
Airborne Ranger – Joe Cypher
Bar’s Leaks Eliminator – Greg Adams
Odyssey Batteries Bigfoot #14 – Eric Tack
Rislone Defender – Zach Adams
Tuff Enuff – Jack Koberna
Airborne Ranger – Joe Cypher
Odyssey Batteries Bigfoot #14 – Eric Tack
Odyssey Batteries Bigfoot #14 – Eric Tack
Tuff Enuff – Jack Koberna
Odyssey Batteries Bigfoot #14 – Eric Tack
Odyssey Batteries Bigfoot #14 – Eric Tack
E3 Spark Plugs Bigfoot #15 – Rick Long
Geter Done – Mitch Tulachka
RoboMachine – Shane Phreed
Xtreme Eagle – Jon Anderson
Viper – Rich Blackburne
Geter Done – Mitch Tulachka
E3 Spark Plugs Bigfoot #15 – Rick Long
Geter Done – Mitch Tulachka
Geter Done – Mitch Tulachka
E3 Spark Plugs Bigfoot #15 – Rick Long
Geter Done – Mitch Tulachka
Geter Done – Mitch Tulachka
E3 Spark Plugs Bigfoot #15 – Rick Long
Geter Done – Mitch Tulachka
Brute Force – Jerry Perry
Crashmaster – Jeremy Perry
Insane Instructor – Andy Michalik
Temper Tantrum – Amy Perry
Brute Force – Jerry Perry
Brute Force – Jerry Perry
Brute Force – Jerry Perry
Brute Force – Jerry Perry
Brute Force – Jerry Perry
Brute Force – Jerry Perry
Evolution – Robby Saunders
Monster X – Justin James
Nite Stalker – Dalton Van Skyhawk
The General – Dustin Lewis
Nite Stalker – Dalton Van Skyhawk
Nite Stalker – Dalton Van Skyhawk
The General – Dustin Lewis
Nite Stalker – Dalton Van Skyhawk
The General – Dustin Lewis
Tie – Nite Stalker – Dalton Van Skyhawk
Tie – The General – Dustin Lewis
Episode: Original Series 5.3
Event: Monster X Tour
Venue: Rabobank Arena
Location: Bakersfield, California
Date: January 20th-21st, 2011
Host: Ross Z. Bonar
Videographers: Ross Z. Bonar
[/column]
[column size=”1-3″]
Bucked Up – Ed Miller
California Kid – BJ Johnson
El Perro Loco – Rod Wood
Firestone Bigfoot #10 – Kyle Doyle
Play’n 4 Keeps – Tony Canedo
Rock Star – Bill Payne
[/column]
[column size=”1-3″ last=”1″]
www.BIGFOOT4x4.com
www.BuckedUpApparel.com
www.E3SparkPlugs.com
www.MonsterXTour.com
www.StraightUpRacing.com
[/column] [Read more…]
Episode: ActionTracks 3.1
Event: Monster X Tour
Venue: City Bank Coliseum
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Date: January 13th-14th, 2011
Host: Chris Parrish
Videographer: Chris Parrish
[/column]
[column size=”1-3″]
Bucked Up – Ed Miller
California Kid – BJ Johnson
Firestone Bigfoot #10 – Kyle Doyle
Rock Star – Bill Payne
War Wizard – Robert Parker
[/column]
[column size=”1-3″ last=”1″]
www.BIGFOOT4x4.com
www.BuckedUpApparel.com
www.E3SparkPlugs.com
www.StraightUpRacing.com
www.WarWizardRacing.com
[/column] [Read more…]
(Article By Ross Z. Bonar) – The first edition of the TMB Leaderboard for 2012 is out following the last weekend of competition in the month of January! Based on all of the information gathered through the TMB Results Tracker, we are able to statistically see who the top performing drivers have been so far in 2012. A total of 178 drivers have competed in monster truck events this year with an incredible 98 different drivers scoring a competition win.
Gary Porter is dominating across nearly all statistical categories to kick off the 2012 season.
See below for the top 10 drivers in each of our statistical categories:
[column size=”1-3″]1) Gary Porter – Grave Digger – 9
2) Kyle Doyle – Firestone Bigfoot #10 – 6
3) Pablo Huffaker – Grave Digger – 5
— Darren Migues – Bounty Hunter – 5
— Larry Swim – Bigfoot Bad Boy #16 – 5
— Dan Runte – Summit Bigfoot #18 – 5
— Michael Harper – Outlaw – 5
8) Doug Noelke – Tail Gator – 4
— Lee O’Donnell – Iron Man – 4
— Morgan Kane – Stone Crusher – 4
1) Gary Porter – Grave Digger – 11
2) Pablo Huffaker – Grave Digger – 9
3) Jerry Perry – Brute Force – 8.5
4) Bill Payne – Rock Star – 8
5) Michael Harper – Outlaw – 6
6) Larry Swim – Bigfoot Bad Boy #16 – 5.5
7) Tom Meents – Maximum Destruction – 5
— Randy Brown – Grave Digger – 5
— Ryan Anderson – Son Uva Digger – 5
— Kevin King – Strait Jacket – 5
1) Gary Porter – Grave Digger – 20
2) Pablo Huffaker – Grave Digger – 14
3) Bill Payne – Rock Star – 11
— Michael Harper – Outlaw – 11
5) Larry Swim – Bigfoot Bad Boy #16 – 10.5
6) Jerry Perry – Brute Force – 8.5
7) Randy Brown – Grave Digger – 8
— Darren Migues – Bounty Hunter – 8
— Doug Noelke – Tail Gator – 8
1) Jerry Perry – Brute Force – 9
2) Greg Winchenbach – Crushstation – 7
— Pablo Huffaker – Grave Digger – 7
— Bill Payne – Rock Star – 7
— Larry Swim – Bigfoot Bad Boy #14 – 7
6) Kreg Christensen – Maximum Destruction – 6
— Michael Harper – Outlaw – 6
8) Dan Runte – Summit Bigfoot #18 – 5.5
9) Devin Jones – Barbarian – 4
— Joe Miller – Monster Mutt – 4
1) Tom Meents – Maximum Destruction – 3
— Randy Brown – Grave Digger – 3
— Chris Ryan – Ground Pounder – 3
4) Mark Hall – Raminator – 2
— Pablo Huffaker – Grave Digger – 2
— Aaron Basl – El Toro Loco – 2
— Jerry Perry – Brute Force – 2
— Paul Cohen – Grave Digger – 2
[/column]
[column size=”2-3″ last=”1″]
1) Gary Porter – Grave Digger – 82%
2) Kyle Doyle – Firestone Bigfoot #10 – 75%
3) Doug Noelke – Tail Gator – 57%
4) Dan Runte – Summit Bigfoot #18 – 56%
— Darren Migues – Bounty Hunter – 56%
— Larry Swim – Bigfoot Bad Boy #16 – 56%
— Michael Harper – Outlaw – 56%
8) Carl Van Horn – Grave Digger – 50%
9) Lee O’Donnell – Iron Man – 44%
10) Linsey Weenk – Lucas Oil Crusader – 43%
(A driver must have competed in 6 racing competitions to be listed in this category)
1) Gary Porter – Grave Digger – 100%
2) Jerry Perry – Brute Force – 94%
3) Bill Payne – Rock Star – 89%
4) Ryan Anderson – Son Uva Digger – 83%
5) Pablo Huffaker – Grave Digger – 75%
6) Tom Meents – Maximum Destruction – 71%
7) Dennis Anderson – Grave Digger – 67%
— Bobby Holman – Lucas Oil Stabilizer – 67%
— Michael Harper – Outlaw – 67%
10) Larry Swim – Bigfoot Bad Boy #16 – 61%
(A driver must have competed in 6 freestyle competitions to be listed in this category)
1) Gary Porter – Grave Digger – 91%
2) Bill Payne – Rock Star – 61%
— Michael Harper – Outlaw – 61%
4) Ryan Anderson – Son Uva Digger – 58%
— Pablo Huffaker – Grave Digger – 58%
— Larry Swim – Bigfoot Bad Boy #16 – 58%
7) Doug Noelke – Tail Gator – 57%
8) Tom Meents – Maximum Destruction – 50%
— Dennis Anderson – Grave Digger – 50%
— Bobby Holman – Lucas Oil Stabilizer – 50%
(A driver must have competed in a combination of 12 racing and/or freestyle competitions to be listed in this category)
1) Dennis Anderson – Grave Digger – 6
— Charlie Pauken – Grave Digger – 6
3) Carl Van Horn – Grave Digger – 5
4) Tom Meents – Maximum Destruction – 4
— Neil Elliott – Maximum Destruction – 4
6) Ryan Anderson – Son Uva Digger – 3
7) Jim Koehler – Avenger – 2
— Adam Anderson – Grave Digger The Legend – 2
— Lee O’Donnell – Iron Man – 2
— Linsey Weenk – Lucas Oil Crusader – 2
— Damon Bradshaw – Monster Energy – 2
— George Balhan – Mohawk Warrior – 2
[/column]
Great job to all of the drivers on their outstanding performances thus far in 2012. Stay tuned to the TMB Results Tracker to find out what went down at events all around the country and watch for another Leaderboard update after the month of February is in the books!
(Photo By Stephanie Cotnoir)
Monster Truck Radio With Host Ross Z. Bonar & Co-Host Chris Parrish
Date: Monday, January 30th, 2011
Guest #1: Bobby Holman, driver of Lucas Oil Stabilizer
Guest #2: Darron Schnell, driver of Vi-Cor Bigfoot #11 [Read more…]
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