Monster Photos: Mighty Monster Truck Tour – Sandusky, OH 2011

Event: Mighty Monster Truck Tour
Venue: Sandusky Speedway
Location: Sandusky, Ohio
Date: May 29th, 2011
Photographer: Paul M. Harry

Lineup: Ground Pounder (Kevin Koszala), Michigan Ice Monster (Chris Lagana), Shell Camino (Shelley Kujat), Tail Gator (Doug Noelke) [Read more…]

Monster Photos: 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals – Lima, OH 2011

Event: 4-Wheel Jamboree
Venue: Allen County Fairgrounds
Location: Lima, Ohio
Date: May 20th-22nd, 2011
Photographer: Paul M. Harry

Lineup: Airdog Diesel (Michelle Simpson), Avenger (Jim Koehler), Chalkboard Chuck (Dave Rife), Crushstation (Greg Winchenbach), E3 Spark Plugs Bigfoot #16 (Dan Runte), General Tire (Chris Bergeron), Lucas Oil Stabilizer (Bobby Holman), Raminator (Mark Hall), Rammunition (Mat Dishman), Samson (Dan Patrick), Star Marshal (Dave Radzierez) [Read more…]

Monster Truck Legend Dan Patrick Announces Retirement, Names New Driver of Samson

The trademark rippling muscles that radiate the immense power of the iconic SAMSON monster truck will soon be under the control of a new master. Dan Patrick, one of the most respected names in the monster truck industry for both his driving and fabrication skills, will be hanging up the driver’s suit at the end of 2011. Dan has been involved in the industry and piloting the SAMSON monster truck for over 20 years. In addition, Dan has been involved in motorsports for over 40 years, virtually his entire life. Dan Patrick and the Samson truck have had quite an impact in the industry and selection of a new driver was no easy task.

As Dan contemplated stepping out of Samson, he was posed with the question of who would pilot the famous muscled truck. After considering many different options, it came to his attention that his youngest daughter, Allison Patrick, 26, was interesting in trying to reel in the powerful beast. “I had heard from everybody else that she wanted to drive,” said Patrick. “So last year I asked her, ‘Do you want to drive?’ and she said “Yeah!” Apparently, she wanted to show me that she was a better driver than me. I thought, we’ll that’s a pretty good challenge, so we’ll see what we’ve got there.”

Allison, 26, is a registered nurse in the ICU unit at a local hospital in Circleville and is looking forward to the challenge. “There’s no way I can fill his shoes, but I’m going to try,” says the new Samson pilot. “I’m just going to go with it. I’ve been around monster trucks since I was three, I’ve always wanted to drive the truck, but the timing was never right. Finally, the time just kind of clicked. With everything else going on…I guess I kind of live a double life now.”

Working the intense daily schedule of a full-time registered nurse, Allison has the necessary scheduling flexibility available to allow her to pursue her new endeavors in the monster truck world as well while maintaining her nursing position. “I only work 3 days, but it is 12 hour days. I want to stay full time as long as possible, but I’ll probably have to go part time eventually.”

Legendary monster truck figure Dan Patrick is ready to turn the driver's seat over to his daughter Allison for the 2012 season and beyond.

When asking Dan about potential hurdles in teaching a new driver, Patrick stated, “It will be a challenge, because she’s got the old man’s attitude, and that’s usually not a good one. I’m hoping that she’ll generally do what I say, but sometimes take those unnecessary risks and show us what is going on (with the truck). We’ll have good equipment for her, the safest that we can put under her.”

Any retirement from something you love is bittersweet. Dan found it hard to step out of the seat and has been considering stepping out of the seat for some time, but it will not be a steadfast retirement from the driver’s seat. “This will be my last full year, but I’m going to pick and choose a few races here and there. I may slip in here and there and beat around on some of the youngsters.” Dan will continue his farewell tour throughout the remainder of 2011, while adding Allison into the mix to gain experience before Dan steps out of the seat at the end of the year and turns the reins over to Allison at the start of the first quarter of 2012.

While Dan will be stepping out of the seat, he will still be travelling up and down the road, attending events, as a crewman for Allison. Dan looks forward to the opportunity to watch the truck perform from the sidelines as this will also offer the opportunity to further develop the fabrication and design side of Patrick Enterprises, Inc. PEI is well known throughout the monster truck industry as one of the premiere companies for monster truck parts and pieces all the way to turn-key monster trucks. “We’re still committed to the future of our industry. It gives me a good chance to watch the truck and get a feel for what it is doing, instead of listening to what other people say it is doing. It will help us develop our product better and service the customers we have. We feel we are a major player in the industry as far as building. I’m not retiring, my job is just changing.”

Although 2011 may be his last season, Dan is going out on top, logging one of his best seasons in recent years.

In reflecting back on a long career in monster trucks, Dan joked, “When I started this, I went in blind. When I drove up to the cars the first time, I thought, ‘What in the heck have I gotten myself into? Can I get a stop payment on the check for the truck?’ But I hit the cars, it hurt when I hit, it hurt when I landed. It has been a good ride, I thought it would only be a few years, and now it has been 23 and the industry is still growing.”

With Allison working as a full-time nurse, there will be a little change in the number of appearances for the Samson truck, but expect plenty of opportunity to see the big Samson Chevy. “We are going to keep this to a 20-25 event season for us. When I used to barnstorm it and do 50 events a year, those days are way behind us,” says Dan Patrick. In recent years, Patrick himself has been gradually reducing the schedule and has typically been running between 25 and 30 events a year.

Allison will make her performing debut in the driver’s seat in Mason City, Iowa at I-35 Speedway on July 1st where Dan and Allison will mix racing and freestyle duties. For more information on the team’s upcoming schedule and on Patrick Enterprises, visit them online at www.Samson4x4.com.

(Article By Chris Parrish, Photos By Paul Harry)

TMB TV: ActionTracks Episode 2.6 – Lima, OH 2011 Part 1

Event: 4-Wheel Jamboree
Venue: Allen County Fairgrounds
Location: Lima, Ohio
Date: May 20th-22nd, 2011
Videographer: Chris Parrish, Randy Barton

Lineup: Airdog Diesel (Michelle Simpson), Avenger (Jim Koehler), Chalkboard Chuck (Dave Rife), Crushstation (Greg Winchenbach), E3 Spark Plugs Bigfoot #16 (Dan Runte), General Tire (Chris Bergeron), Lucas Oil Stabilizer (Bobby Holman), Raminator (Mark Hall), Rammunition (Mat Dishman), Samson (Dan Patrick), Star Marshal (Dave Radzierez) [Read more…]

Higher Education Monster Bus Too Cool for School

(Vaters Monster Motorsports PR – Hagerstown, Maryland) – Michael Vaters’ “Higher Education”, the incredible new monster school bus has been a project 5 years in the making. A long time veteran in the monster truck industry with over 29 years in the business, Vaters debuted the permanent identity of the third monster truck in his stable in Montreal at the Olympic Stadium event in April. Vaters purchased the Killer Bee monster truck last year and ran the Killer Bee body for a couple of shows before fitting the truck with a Black Stallion body for first quarter 2011 in the Monster Jam series. The truck is driven by long time crew member and family friend Jimmy Tracey.

The wild new Higher Education monster school bus launches a bus stack during its debut freestyle at Montreal's Olympic Stadium.

Vaters has always had a great respect for, and been a big fan of Ken Nelson and his wheel-standing dragster, the Cool Bus. Ken at age 72 races the Cool Bus down 1/4 mile drag strips at over 100 miles per hour and has been for 15 years. Cool Bus was designed and built by Ken and his wife and they travel all over the United States, Canada and Mexico every summer exhibiting at drag strips. Five years ago Mike shared his idea with Ken to build a school bus monster truck and they both thought it would be a good idea and definitely popular with the kids. When the Killer Bee truck became available, Mike found his opening to make the monster truck bus idea happen. After leaving the Dayton, Ohio Monster Jam event, Vaters traveled to Ken’s hometown of Ashland, Ohio and picked up the nose of the Cool Bus to make a mold from as a starting point for the rest of the bus body.

Ken Nelson's wheel-standing dragster, the "Cool Bus" was the inspiration for Vaters' Higher Education.

Vaters has been designing and engineering the truck for some time so when they started the build he had very specific ideas and plans. Because of this and many man hours in the shop by the Vaters Monster Motorsports team, it was completed in a mere 13 days. Higher Education is built in 3/4 scale. When designing the bus, Vaters knew that they would have to build the body stronger to withstand the abuse that a monster truck goes through. The team built two fiberglass sections to make up the roof and a fiberglass front clip. The sides of the bus are built from fiberboard donated by Capitol Building Supply in Hagerstown, Maryland, one of Black Stallion’s sponsors. The paint (school bus yellow) was provided by PPG, another of our generous sponsors and painted by the VMM crew in-house. Vaters wanted the bus to have all the details to make it look as realistic as possible, so he even fabricated black rub rails to run down the sides of the bus and installed flashing lights and a flip out STOP sign.

A couple of build photos show the former Killer Bee chassis being converted to fit the newly constructed school bus body.

Higher Education debuted April 9th in Montreal at Olympic Stadium. During the pit party the bus was hidden from the spectators and not brought out until after the wheelie competition. The house lights of the Stadium were dimmed as Higher Education driven by Jimmy Tracey roared out onto the track, lights flashing to the music of Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick In the Wall.”

School is officially out for summer - look for the Higher Education monster school bus at a monster truck event near you!

The crowd went crazy on their feet cheering…the monster bus Higher Education went over real big!  The truck is the fruition of a concept idea that will undoubtedly have a huge following, especially with the kids. What could be more awesome for a kid than to see a school bus like they ride in every day getting big air, causing destruction and crushing cars, buses, RVs and everything else in its path. Michael and Denise Vaters want to send out a very special thanks to Ken and his wife for their help and cooperation in making this project happen.

For more information on the Higher Education monster truck and the entire Vaters Monster Motorsports team, visit them online at www.VatersMotorsports.com.

(Article Courtesy Vaters Monster Motorsports, Photos By Stephanie Cotnoir, Johany Jutras, Denise Vaters)

May 27th-29th Weekend Results

MONSTER JAM – Feld Entertainment

  • Derby, England – Pride Park Stadium – 05/28-29/11

    Truck/Driver Lineup:

    Disney XD – Dan Evans
    El Toro Loco – Bari Mussawir
    Grave Digger – Charlie Pauken
    Iron Man – Lee O’Donnell
    Madusa – Debra Miceli
    Maximum Destruction – Tom Meents
    Mohawk Warrior – George Balhan
    Monster Mutt Rottweiler – Charles Benns
    Spiderman – Dana Creech
    Traxxas E-Maxx – Dustin Brown

    Saturday Afternoon – Racing:

    Grave Digger – Charlie Pauken

    Saturday Afternoon – Freestyle:

    Grave Digger – Charlie Pauken

    Sunday Afternoon – Racing:

    Spiderman – Dana Creech

    Sunday Afternoon – Freestyle:

    Grave Digger – Charlie Pauken

MONSTER TRUCKS SHOWDOWN – nVivo Live Events

  • Monterrey, Nuevo Leon – Estadio de Beisbol Monterrey – 05/28/11

    Truck/Driver Lineup:

    1/2 Pint – Travis Sturges
    Bounty Hunter – Jimmy Creten
    Cyborg – Jack Koberna
    El Perro Loco – Rod Wood
    Heart Breaker – Kaila Savage
    Iron Outlaw – Ben Winslow
    Nasty Boy – Ronnie Sturges
    Play’n 4 Keeps – Tony Canedo
    Unnamed & Untamed – Sam Sturges

    Saturday Night – Wheelie:

    El Perro Loco – Rod Wood

    Saturday Night – Racing:

    Bounty Hunter – Jimmy Creten

    Saturday Night – Freestyle:

    Heart Breaker – Kaila Savage

MONSTER TRUCK MADNESS – Jones Motor Speedway

  • Chatham, Louisiana – Jones Motor Speedway – 05/27-29/11

    Truck/Driver Lineup:

    Bad News Travels Fast – Bruce Haney
    Ballistic – Mac Plecker
    Gun Slinger – Scott Hartsock
    Heavy Hitter – Derrick Anson
    Instigator – Lionel Easler
    Reptoid – Jim Jack
    Rislone Defender – Zach Adams
    Strait Jacket – Kevin King

    Friday Night – Wheelie Contest:

    Rislone Defender – Zach Adams

    Friday Night – Racing:

    Gun Slinger – Scott Hartsock

    Friday Night – Freestyle:

    Gun Slinger – Scott Hartsock

    Saturday Night – Wheelie Contest:

    Gun Slinger – Scott Hartsock

    Saturday Night – Racing:

    Gun Slinger – Scott Hartsock

    Saturday Night – Freestyle:

    Gun Slinger – Scott Hartsock

    Saturday Night – Wheelie Contest:

    Gun Slinger – Scott Hartsock

    Saturday Night – Racing:

    Gun Slinger – Scott Hartsock

    Saturday Night – Freestyle:

    Gun Slinger – Scott Hartsock

MONSTER TRUCK SHOW – Vaters Monster Motorsports

  • Plattsburgh, New York – Airborne Speedway – 05/29/11

    Truck/Driver Lineup:

    Black Stallion – Mike Vaters
    Higher Education – Jimmy Tracey
    Iron Warrior – Trey Meyers
    Rap Attack – Dave Rappach
    Toxic – Travis Petri

    Sunday Afternoon – Wheelie Contest:

    Black Stallion – Mike Vaters

    Sunday Afternoon – Racing:

    Black Stallion – Mike Vaters

    Sunday Afternoon – Freestyle:

    Black Stallion – Mike Vaters

    Sunday Night – Wheelie Contest:

    Black Stallion – Mike Vaters

    Sunday Night – Racing:

    Iron Warrior – Trey Meyers

    Sunday Night – Freestyle:

    Higher Education – Jimmy Tracey

MONSTERS ON A MISSION – Impact Motorsports

  • Gloucester, Ontario – Gloucester Fair – 05/29/11

    Truck/Driver Lineup:

    Avenger – Jim Koehler
    Blackjack – Dave Waple
    Brutus – Chris Bergeron

    Saturday Afternoon – Wheelie Contest:

    Brutus – Chris Bergeron

    Saturday Afternoon – Racing:

    Avenger – Jim Koehler

    Saturday Afternoon – Freestyle:

    Avenger – Jim Koehler

    Saturday Night – Wheelie Contest:

    Brutus – Chris Bergeron

    Saturday Night – Racing:

    Brutus – Chris Bergeron

    Saturday Night – Freestyle:

    Brutus – Chris Bergeron

MIGHTY MONSTER TRUCK SHOW – Mighty Monster Truck Shows

  • Sandusky, Ohio – Sandusky Speedway – 05/29/11

    Truck/Driver Lineup:

    Ground Pounder – Kevin Koszala
    Michigan Ice Monster – Chris Lagana
    Shell Camino – Shelley Kujat
    Tail Gator – Doug Noelke

    Sunday Afternoon – Wheelie Contest:

    Ground Pounder – Kevin Koszala

    Sunday Afternoon – Racing:

    Shell Camino – Shelley Kujat

MONSTER TRUCK SHOW – Mike Welch Motorsports

  • Lynden, Washington – Northwest Washington Fair & Events Center – 05/28-29/11

    Truck/Driver Lineup:

    Captain USA – Jeff Bainter
    Double Trouble – Travis Groth
    Monster Mash – Mike Welch

    Saturday Night – Freestyle:

    Captain USA – Jeff Bainter

    Sunday Night – Freestyle:

    Captain USA – Jeff Bainter

Monster Photos: 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals – Springfield, MO 2011

Event: 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals
Venue: Missouri Entertainment & Events Center
Location: Springfield, Missouri
Date: May 14th-15th, 2011
Photographer: Rajeana Bonar

Lineup: Airdog Diesel (Michelle Simpson), Avenger (Jim Koehler), Chalkboard Chuck (Jeff Bursey), Crushstation (Greg Winchenbach), E3 Spark Plugs Bigfoot #16 (Dan Runte), General Tire (Chris Bergeron), Lucas Oil Stabilizer (Bobby Holman), Raminator (Mark Hall), Rammunition (Mat Dishman), Star Marshal (Dave Radzierez) [Read more…]

May 20th-22nd Weekend Results

4-WHEEL JAMBOREE NATIONALS – Family Events

  • Lima, Ohio – Allen County Fairgrounds – 05/20-22/11

    Truck/Driver Lineup:

    Avenger – Jim Koehler
    Chalkboard Chuck – Dave Rife
    Crushstation – Greg Winchenbach
    E3 Spark Plugs Bigfoot #16 – Dan Runte
    General Tire – Chris Bergeron
    Lucas Oil Stabilizer – Bobby Holman
    Raminator – Mark Hall
    Rammunition – Mat Dishman
    Samson – Dan Patrick
    Star Marshal – Dave Radzierez

    Friday Night – Racing:

    E3 Spark Plugs Bigfoot #16 – Dan Runte

    Friday Night – Freestyle:

    E3 Spark Plugs Bigfoot #16 – Dan Runte

    Saturday Afternoon – Racing:

    E3 Spark Plugs Bigfoot #16 – Dan Runte

    Saturday Afternoon – Freestyle:

    Avenger – Jim Koehler

    Saturday Night – Freestyle:

    Avenger – Jim Koehler

    Sunday Afternoon – Racing:

    Samson – Dan Patrick

    Sunday Afternoon – Freestyle:

    Avenger – Jim Koehler

LONE STAR MONSTER TRUCK NATIONALS – Lone Star Promotions

  • DeLeon, Texas – DeLeon Community Park – 05/20-21/11

    Truck/Driver Lineup:

    Bounty Hunter – Darren Migues
    Cyborg – Jack Koberna
    Monkey’N Around – Steven Hill
    Outtacontrol – Orville Hill
    Strait Jacket – Kevin King

    Friday Night – Wheelie Contest:

    Monkey’N Around – Steven Hill

    Friday Night – Racing:

    Bounty Hunter – Darren Migues

    Friday Night – Freestyle:

    Bounty Hunter – Darren Migues

    Saturday Night – Wheelie Contest:

    Bounty Hunter – Darren Migues

    Saturday Night – Racing:

    Strait Jacket – Kevin King

    Saturday Night – Freestyle:

    Bounty Hunter – Darren Migues

ROLLING THUNDER MOTORSPORTS TOUR – Torgerson Motorsports

  • Gray, Tennessee – Appalachian Fairgrounds – 05/20-21/11

    Truck/Driver Lineup:

    Lone Eagle – Dale Mitchell
    Pouncer – Dave Pezo
    Predator – Allen Pezo
    Prowler – Lenny Kuilder
    War Wizard – Randy Moore

    Friday Night – Wheelie Contest:

    Predator – Allen Pezo

    Friday Night – Racing:

    Prowler – Lenny Kuilder

    Friday Night – Freestyle:

    War Wizard – Randy Moore

    Saturday Night – Wheelie Contest:

    War Wizard – Randy Moore

    Saturday Night – Racing:

    Predator – Allen Pezo

    Saturday Night – Freestyle:

    Predator – Allen Pezo

MONSTER TRUCK SHOW – Over The Top Motorsports

  • Muskogee, Oklahoma – Thunderbird Speedway – 05/21/11

    Truck/Driver Lineup:

    Ballistic – Mac Plecker
    Barbarian – Devin Jones
    Big Dawg – Dale Gerding
    Stone Crusher – Nick Owens
    Tail Gator – Doug Noelke

    Saturday Night – Wheelie Contest:

    Stone Crusher – Nick Owens

    Saturday Night – Racing:

    Stone Crusher – Nick Owens

    Saturday Night – Freestyle:

    Stone Crusher – Nick Owens

MONSTER SPECTACULAR – Chris Arel Motorsports

  • St. John’s, Newfoundland – Mile One Centre – 05/21/11

    Truck/Driver Lineup:

    Amsoil Shock Therapy – Chris Lagana
    Bounty Hunter – Jimmy Creten
    Excaliber – Chris Ryan
    Red Baron – Ben Winslow

    Saturday Night – Wheelie Contest:

    Bounty Hunter – Jimmy Creten

    Saturday Night – Racing:

    Bounty Hunter – Jimmy Creten

    Saturday Night – Freestyle:

    Bounty Hunter – Jimmy Creten

OUTLAW MONSTER TRUCK SPECTACULAR – Outlaw Monster Trucks

  • Port Huron, Michigan – McMoran Place – 05/20-21/11

    Truck/Driver Lineup:

    Amsoil Shock Therapy – Jon Zimmer
    Desperado – Drew Haygood
    Excaliber – Kevin Koszala
    Shell Camino – Shelley Kujat

    Friday Night – Wheelie Contest:

    Amsoil Shock Therapy – Jon Zimmer

    Friday Night – Racing:

    Shell Camino – Shelley Kujat

    Friday Night – Freestyle:

    Amsoil Shock Therapy – Jon Zimmer

    Saturday Night – Wheelie Contest:

    Amsoil Shock Therapy – Jon Zimmer

    Saturday Night – Racing:

    Desperado – Drew Haygood

    Saturday Night – Freestyle:

    Amsoil Shock Therapy – Jon Zimmer

  • Paducah, Kentucky – Carson Park – 05/21/11

    Truck/Driver Lineup:

    Evolution – Paul Winkleman
    Nite Stalker – Dalton Van Skyhawk
    Outlaw Clydesdale – Bennett Clark
    Reptoid – Jim Jack

    Saturday Afternoon – Wheelie Contest:

    Reptoid – Jim Jack

    Saturday Afternoon – Racing:

    Outlaw Clydesdale – Bennett Clark

    Saturday Afternoon – Freestyle:

    Reptoid – Jim Jack

    Saturday Night – Wheelie Contest:

    Reptoid – Jim Jack

    Saturday Night – Racing:

    Outlaw Clydesdale – Bennett Clark

    Saturday Night – Freestyle:

    Nite Stalker – Dalton Van Skyhawk

  • Victorville, California – San Bernardino County Fairgrounds – 05/21/11

    Truck/Driver Lineup:

    1/2 Pint – Travis Sturges
    Nasty Boy – Ronnie Sturges
    Unnamed & Untamed – Sam Sturges

    Saturday Night – Freestyle:

    Nasty Boy – Ronnie Sturges

TMB TV: ActionTracks Episode 2.5 – Augusta, GA 2011

Event: Old Skool Motorsports Monster Truck Extravaganza
Venue: Gordon Park Speedway
Location: Augusta, Georgia
Date: April 29th-30th, 2011
Videographer: Chris Parrish

Lineup: Ballistic (Mac Plecker), Black Knight (Nancy Westin), Outlaw Clydesdale (Bennett Clark), Predator (Allen Pezo), Prowler (Lenny Kuilder), Rislone Defender (Zach Adams) [Read more…]

Monster Photos: Kicker Monster Truck Nationals – Clovis, NM 2011

Event: Kicker Monster Truck Nationals
Venue: Curry County Fairgrounds
Location: Clovis, New Mexico
Date: May 13th-14th, 2011
Photographer: Anthony Cordova

Lineup: Barbarian (Devin Jones), Bounty Hunter (Darren Migues), Hurricane Force (Steven Thompson), Storm Damage (Tim Mente) [Read more…]

May 13th-15th Weekend Results

MONSTER JAM – Feld Entertainment

  • Salinas, California – Salinas Sports Complex – 05/15/11

    Truck/Driver Lineup:

    El Toro Loco – Marc MacDonald
    Grave Digger – Chad Tingler
    Lucas Oil Crusader – Linsey Weenk
    Maximum Destruction – Tom Meents
    Monster Mutt – Joe Miller
    Obsessed – Rick Swanson
    The Felon – Mark Schroeder
    The Patriot – Dan Rodoni
    Time Flys – Kelvin Ramer
    Tropical Thunder – Andrew Peckhum

    Sunday Afternoon – Wheelie Contest:

    Grave Digger – Chad Tingler

    Sunday Afternoon – Racing:

    Lucas Oil Crusader – Linsey Weenk

    Sunday Afternoon – Freestyle:

    Maximum Destruction – Tom Meents

  • San Jose, San Juan – Estadio Saprissa – 05/13-15/11

    Truck/Driver Lineup:

    Batman – Alex Blackwell
    Dragon’s Breath – Becky McDonough
    El Toro Loco – Lupe Soza
    Grave Digger – Carl Van Horn
    Iron Man – Lee O’Donnell
    Maximum Destruction – Neil Elliott
    Monster Mutt Dalmation – Candace Jolly
    Superman – Chad Fortune

    Friday Night – Wheelie Contest:

    Maximum Destruction – Neil Elliott

    Friday Night – Racing:

    Maximum Destruction – Neil Elliott

    Friday Night – Freestyle:

    Maximum Destruction – Neil Elliott

    Saturday Afternoon – Wheelie Contest:

    Superman – Chad Fortune

    Saturday Afternoon – Racing:

    Maximum Destruction – Neil Elliott

    Saturday Afternoon – Freestyle:

    Maximum Destruction – Neil Elliott

    Saturday Night – Wheelie Contest:

    El Toro Loco – Lupe Soza

    Saturday Night – Racing:

    Grave Digger – Carl Van Horn

    Saturday Night – Freestyle:

    Maximum Destruction – Neil Elliott

    Sunday Afternoon – Wheelie Contest:

    Maximum Destruction – Neil Elliott

    Sunday Afternoon – Racing:

    El Toro Loco – Lupe Soza

    Sunday Afternoon – Freestyle:

    Maximum Destruction – Neil Elliott

4-WHEEL JAMBOREE NATIONALS – Family Events

  • Springfield, Missouri – Missouri Entertainment & Events Center – 05/14-15/11

    Truck/Driver Lineup:

    Avenger – Jim Koehler
    Chalkboard Chuck – Jeff Bursey
    Crushstation – Greg Winchenbach
    E3 Spark Plugs Bigfoot #16 – Dan Runte
    General Tire – Chris Bergeron
    Lucas Oil Stabilizer – Bobby Holman
    Raminator – Mark Hall
    Rammunition – Mat Dishman
    Star Marshal – Dave Radzierez

    Saturday Afternoon – Racing:

    Rammunition – Mat Dishman

    Saturday Afternoon – Freestyle:

    Avenger – Jim Koehler

    Saturday Night – Racing:

    E3 Spark Plugs Bigfoot #16 – Dan Runte

    Saturday Night – Freestyle:

    Avenger – Jim Koehler

    Sunday Afternoon – Racing:

    Raminator – Mark Hall

    Sunday Afternoon – Freestyle:

    General Tire – Chris Bergeron

KICKER MONSTER TRUCK NATIONALS – Cycle City Promotions

  • Clovis, New Mexico – Curry County Fairgrounds – 05/13-14/11

    Truck/Driver Lineup:

    Barbarian – Devin Jones
    Bounty Hunter – Darren Migues
    Hurricane Force – Steven Thompson
    Storm Damage – Tim Mente

    Friday Night – Wheelie Contest:

    Bounty Hunter – Darren Migues

    Friday Night – Racing:

    Bounty Hunter – Darren Migues

    Friday Night – Freestyle:

    Bounty Hunter – Darren Migues

    Saturday Night – Wheelie Contest:

    Bounty Hunter – Darren Migues

    Saturday Night – Racing:

    Bounty Hunter – Darren Migues

    Saturday Night – Freestyle:

    Bounty Hunter – Darren Migues

MONSTER TRUCK EXTRAVAGANZA – Old Skool Motorsports

  • Sevierville, Tennessee – Sevier County Fairgrounds – 05/13-14/11

    Truck/Driver Lineup:

    Ballistic – Mac Plecker
    Outlaw Clydesdale – Bennett Clark
    Predator – Allen Pezo
    Prowler – Lenny Kuilder
    Rislone Defender – Zach Adams

    Friday Night – Wheelie Contest:

    Predator – Allen Pezo

    Friday Night – Racing:

    Prowler – Lenny Kuilder

    Friday Night – Freestyle:

    Predator – Allen Pezo

    Saturday Night – Wheelie Contest:

    Predator – Allen Pezo

    Saturday Night – Racing:

    Outlaw Clydesdale – Bennett Clark

    Saturday Night – Freestyle:

    Predator – Allen Pezo

MONSTER SPECTACULAR – Chris Arel Motorsports

  • Quebec City, Quebec – Pepsi Colisee – 05/14/11

    Truck/Driver Lineup:

    Amsoil Shock Therapy – Chris Lagana
    Bad Habit – Joe Sylvester
    Bounty Hunter – Jimmy Creten
    Excaliber – Chris Ryan
    Red Baron – Ben Winslow

    Saturday Night – Wheelie Contest:

    Bounty Hunter – Jimmy Creten

    Saturday Night – Racing:

    Bounty Hunter – Jimmy Creten

    Saturday Night – Freestyle:

    Bounty Hunter – Jimmy Creten

MONSTER TRUCK SHOW – Hernando County Fairgrounds

  • Brooksville, Florida – Hernando County Fairgrounds – 05/13-14/11

    Truck/Driver Lineup:

    Black Knight – Nancy Westin
    Fly-N-Hi – Mike Moon Jr.
    Gun Slinger – Scott Hartsock
    Mopar Magic – Morgan Kane
    Stone Crusher – Steve Sims

    Friday Night – Wheelie Contest:

    Mopar Magic – Morgan Kane

    Friday Night – Racing:

    Gun Slinger – Scott Hartsock

    Saturday Night – Wheelie Contest:

    Gun Slinger – Scott Hartsock

    Saturday Night – Racing:

    Gun Slinger – Scott Hartsock

OUTLAW MONSTER TRUCK SPECTACULAR – Outlaw Monster Trucks

  • Kasson, Minnesota – Dodge County Speedway – 05/14/11

    Truck/Driver Lineup:

    Amsoil Shock Therapy – Jon Zimmer
    Evolution – Paul Winkleman
    Excaliber – Kevin Koszala
    Nite Stalker – Dalton Van Skyhawk

    Saturday Afternoon – Wheelie Contest:

    Amsoil Shock Therapy – Jon Zimmer

    Saturday Afternoon – Freestyle:

    Amsoil Shock Therapy – Jon Zimmer

    Saturday Night – Wheelie Contest:

    Amsoil Shock Therapy – Jon Zimmer

    Saturday Night – Freestyle:

    Amsoil Shock Therapy – Jon Zimmer

Monster Photos: Patrick Enterprises Open House 2011

Event: PEI Open House
Venue: Patrick Enterprises, Inc.
Location: Circleville, Ohio
Date: May 7th, 2011
Photographer: Paul M. Harry

Trucks Displayed: Chalkboard Chuck (Bobby Holman), Outback Thunda (Clive Featherby), Samson (Dan Patrick) [Read more…]

Monster Photos: Monster Nationals – Erie, PA 2011

Event: Monster Nationals
Venue: Tullio Arena
Location: Erie, Pennsylvania
Date: April 29th-30th, 2011
Photographer: Paul M. Harry

Lineup: Chalkboard Chuck (Ralph Holman/Bobby Holman), E3 Spark Plugs Bigfoot #15 (Rick Long), Lucas Oil Stabilizer (Bobby Holman), Star Marshal (Dave Radzierez) [Read more…]

May 7th-9th Weekend Results

MONSTERS ON THE BEACH – Beach Events USA

  • Virginia Beach, Virginia – Virginia Beach – 05/07-09/11

    Truck/Driver Lineup:

    Bad Habit – Joe Sylvester
    El Toro Loco – Joey Parnell
    Grave Digger – Randy Brown
    Gun Slinger – Scott Hartsock
    Mopar Magic – Morgan Kane
    Stone Crusher – Steve Sims
    Tail Gator – Doug Noelke

    Friday Night – Racing:

    Gun Slinger – Scott Hartsock

    Saturday Afternoon – Racing:

    Gun Slinger – Scott Hartsock

    Saturday Night – Racing:

    Gun Slinger – Scott Hartsock

    Sunday Afternoon – Racing:

    Gun Slinger – Scott Hartsock

Monster Truck Show – WGAS Motorsports

  • Santa Rosa, California – Sonoma County Fairgrounds – 05/06-07/11

    Truck/Driver Lineup:

    Bounty Hunter – Jimmy Creten
    Obsessed – Rick Swanson
    Obsession – Jimmy Lenhertz
    Play’n 4 Keeps – Tony Canedo
    Titan – Donald Epidendio

    Friday Night – Freestyle:

    Bounty Hunter – Jimmy Creten

    Saturday Night – Freestyle:

    Bounty Hunter – Jimmy Creten

OUTLAW MONSTER TRUCK SPECTACULAR – Outlaw Monster Trucks

  • West Palm Beach, Florida – Palm Beach International Raceway – 05/07/11

    Truck/Driver Lineup:

    Ground Pounder – Chris Ryan
    Michigan Ice Monster – Chris Lagana
    Outlaw Clydesdale – Bennett Clark
    Reptoid – Jim Jack
    Rislone Defender – Zach Adams

    Friday Night – Wheelie Contest:

    Ground Pounder – Chris Ryan

    Friday Night – Racing:

    Michigan Ice Monster – Chris Lagana

    Friday Night – Freestyle:

    Ground Pounder – Chris Ryan

    Saturday Night – Wheelie Contest:

    Ground Pounder – Chris Ryan

    Saturday Night – Freestyle:

    Ground Pounder – Chris Ryan

The Allen Report: NAPA Monster Truck Nationals – Chandler, AZ 2011

(Coverage By Christopher Allen, Photos By Jim Allen)

Six of the top monster trucks in the world arrived at Firebird International Raceway in Chandler, Arizona for the annual NAPA Monster Truck Nationals and Night of Fire, held on Saturday, April 30th and Sunday, May 1st, 2011. Participants included current Monster Jam World Finals Freestyle Champion Jim Koehler in Avenger, with last year’s Firebird runner-up Chris Bergeron in Brutus right behind him. Darren Migues would be filling in for perennial Firebird Champ Jimmy Creten in Bounty Hunter, Dan Runte would be back in Summit Bigfoot 16 and Travis and Ronnie Sturges would be piloting Unnamed & Untamed and Nasty Boy from just down the road in Tucson. Nasty Boy was even sporting the great looking TMB flag for the weekend’s events. The grand finale would be the return of the 40-foot tall, 60,000 pound car-eating, fire-breathing monstrosity Robosaurus.

Opening each show was a wheelie and donut competition with the brothers Sturges giving wheelies that set the stage for what was to come. Brutus not only surprised the Firebird fans with a 45 degree angle wheelie attempt, but gave cyclones that had yours truly thinking back to Wrecking Crew at the 2010 Monster Jam World Finals encore. Even better, Chris put the wreck from last year behind him with a perfect score of 30, followed it up with an outstanding freestyle, taking the Saturday night championship.

Sunday saw the encore performance for the fans that could not make it the first night. At one of his favorite places to perform, Dan and Bigfoot got the crowd pumped up with his shots at the wheelie and donut win. But it was déjà vu for Chris Bergeron, who found himself tied with Bounty Hunter with just freestyle left to go for the weekend. The judging was close, but Darren kept the Bounty Hunter Firebird legacy alive with a score tallied over wheelies and donuts combined with his freestyle number to oust Brutus for the second year in a row.

To close each show, Shawn Pacheco and Robosaurus fascinated the kids in the crowd by eating, breaking and burning a junk car or, in the case of the big show on Saturday, no less than three. In addition, Sam Sturges gave rides to fans young and old in his team’s “Boogie Monster” ride truck. Will Team Scream ever be able to defeat Bounty Hunter at Firebird? Find out next year. Until then, thank you for reading, thanks to everyone with Firebird Raceway for their hospitality, enjoy Jim’s great photos and cheer on!

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