One week from now monster trucks will return to one of the most historically significant venues in the history of the sport as the Pontiac Silverdome hosts the 1st Annual Monster Truck Fall Shootout!! 11 trucks are scheduled to compete in racing and freestyle including Bounty Hunter, Raminator, Tail Gator, Virginia Giant, War Wagon, Big Dawg, Rammunition, Shell Camino, Bar’s Leaks Eliminator, Airborne Ranger and Rislone Defender.
The return of the Silverdome has been one of the biggest and best stories of 2010 and TMB is excited to return for our 10th and final episode of TMB TV Season 3. We’ll cover all the action with three camera angles and two huge photo galleries. With tickets at only $13 at www.SilverdomeTickets.com, this event will surely be one of the best values of the year.
As we countdown the days of this final week leading up to the big event, we’ll interview one of the big personalities and get their thoughts on the Monster Truck Fall Shootout. Check back every day for another quick Q&A with one of the event’s big stars!
11/09/10: Q&A w/Andy Hoffman | Countdown Status: 4 Days to Go!
TMB: There’s only 4 days left on TMB’s Countdown to the Silverdome and tonight we continue our Q&A series by talking to Andy Hoffman, two-time Monster Nationals Freestyle Champion and driver of the War Wagon & Nitemare monster trucks. Andy, as we understand it, your history at the Silverdome is almost a little similar to that of Diehl Wilson in that you started there running a pulling truck. Tell us about that and your history with the monster in Pontiac.
AH: We first started running at the Silverdome back in 1988 with our 2WD pulling truck, the Indiana Ranger. It was always a neat experience competing at that venue, the people were always great, really got into it and we always did well there with the puller, probably finished in the top 3 most of the time. We did that into the 90’s and then we bought Nitemare in 1995 and got to run that there a few times. The last time I ran there was probably 12 years ago when I still had the Dodge body on the truck and we were doing a match race against Bearfoot and another truck as an exhibition at a pulling show. It’s been a long time.
TMB: Well, a lot has happened in those 12 years as you’ve won back to back Monster Nationals titles and acquired War Wagon from Jeff Cook and made it into a championship winning truck. After all this time away, how exciting is it to be headed back to the Silverdome?
AH: Running this event is huge, a massive deal for me and my team. I can’t wait to see the place again and see if it still seems as big as it does in your memory. It’s been a while since I’ve done a big stadium event so I’m really excited and looking forward to running hard.
TMB: Quite a few of the drivers in the field are in the same boat, having not run on a major stadium style course in some time. Do you think that puts you all on a similar playing field and how would you rate your chances in each competition?
AH: I think we’ll all have a lot of fun going to a big event again, everyone will be going for it extra hard because of that though. I would really like to make a run at the racing victory, I really think I can run with these guys and have a shot at it. Mark Hall and Doug Noelke are going to be tough to beat there, that’s for sure. I think freestyle will be anyone’s game, that could get interesting.
TMB: Well Andy, some folks are picking you as one of the favorites in freestyle, being the two-time Monster Nationals champ and all. What are the chances we’ll see one of those trademark Andy Hoffman reversers on Saturday?
AH: (laughing) Now don’t you start Ross, you always get me into trouble when I listen to you guys. Seems like every time I try to do something out there you suggest, I always break a lot of parts! But seriously I’d like to do one of my reversers for the Silverdome fans but it will just depend on how everything’s setup and if I can find a good spot for it.
TMB: Don’t worry folks, we’ll talk him into doing one off the bus stack or something! (laughing) Joking aside though, it’s been great to talk to you Andy and we can’t wait to see War Wagon run on Saturday. To close this thing out, sum up your thoughts on the weekend in one sentence for us.
AH: I’m excited for the chance to finish the year on a high note, at a big show and we’re going to run it hard.
The Monster Truck Fall Shootout is this Saturday, November 13th – 11 of the nation’s top trucks compete in racing and freestyle at the historic Pontiac Silverdome! Advance tickets are only $13, all fees included at www.SilverdomeTickets.com – get yours now!
