2013 Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam World Finals Young Guns Shootout Lineup Announced

(Aurora, Illinois – Feld Motor Sports PR) – Feld Motor Sports® announced today the line-up and the return of the Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam World FinalsSM Young Guns ShootoutSM on Friday, March 22, which is exclusively part of the Friday night Monster Jam World Finals Double Down package. The Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam World Finals XIV, presented by NGK Spark Plugs, takes place March 22-23 at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, NV.

Making its debut in 2012, the Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam World Finals Young Guns Shootout was created to put some of the best Monster Jam® drivers, who have little or no Monster Jam World Finals experience, in a racing format to determine the Young Guns Shootout champion on the toughest Monster Jam track on the planet. The Young Guns Shootout will take place in conjunction with the Friday Double Down, in which fans can upgrade their 2013 Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam World Finals experience with access to Friday’s activities including a private Pit Party, BBQ, Qualifying Races, and merchandise by “doubling down”. Double Down packages can be purchased at http://www.unlvtickets.com/eventInfo/spe/309/monster-jam-world-finals/.

Devin Jones and Barbarian will make their first appearance in Las Vegas.

Devin Jones and Barbarian will make their first appearance in Las Vegas.

Due to the overwhelming positive feedback and input from the Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam fans, the 2013 field has been expanded to 12 Monster Jam trucks and drivers. The Young Guns Shootout winner will be automatically placed into the prestigious field of 28 Monster Jam trucks that will compete for the Racing and Freestyle Championship the following night (Saturday, March 23). Below is the list of the 2013 Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam World Finals Young Guns Shootout drivers and Monster Jam trucks (line-up subject to change):

1. Monster Mutt® Dalmatian – Taryn Laskey
2. Iron Man – Morgan Kane
3. Barbarian – Devin Jones
4. Titan – Donald Epidendio
5. Bad Habit – Joe Sylvester
6. Hooked – Steven Sims
7. El Diablo – JP Ruggiero
8. Nitro Hornet – Darron Basl
9. El Toro Loco® – Becky McDonough
10. Wolverine – Dustin Brown
11. Crushstation – Greg Winchenbach
12. Razin Kane – JR McNeal

The inaugural Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam World Finals Young Guns Shootout featured an eight-truck field of the top young drivers, and culminated with Spider-Man driver Bari Musawwir edging out Nicole Johnson and Advance Auto Parts Grinder®.

“Being the inaugural Young Guns Shootout Champion the night of the 2012 Double Down absolutely elevated my Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam career,” said Bari Musawwir, driver of Spider-Man. “Winning the Young Guns Shootout helped put me on the map and afforded me other Monster Jam opportunities like performing at the Monster Jam Path of Destruction tour and also in Europe.”

JR McNeal and Razin Kane will make their second appearance in the Young Guns Shootout.

JR McNeal and Razin Kane will make their second appearance in the Young Guns Shootout.

For more information on the Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam World Finals℠ presented by NGK Spark Plugs, log onto www.MonsterJam.com. Updates will be posted all weekend long on Facebook.com/MJOnline and Twitter.com/MonsterJam.

About Feld Motor Sports®

Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment. Feld Motor Sports productions include Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMSOIL Arenacross and Nuclear Cowboyz®. Feld Motor Sports is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world’s largest producer of live family entertainment. For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com.

Monster Photos: Monster Jam – St. Louis, MO 2013

Event: Monster Jam
Venue: Edward Jones Dome
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Date: February 2nd, 2013
Photographer: Danny Maass

Lineup: Backdraft (Jeremy Slifko), Bad Habit (Joe Sylvester), Barbarian (Devin Jones), Bounty Hunter (Darren Migues), Captain America (Chad Fortune), Captain’s Curse (Alex Blackwell), El Toro Loco (Becky McDonough), Eradicator (Andy Slifko), Grave Digger (Carl Van Horn), Grave Digger The Legend (Adam Anderson), Grinder (John Seasock), Iron Outlaw (Joe Miller), Maximum Destruction (Kreg Christensen), Raminator (Mark Hall), Rammunition (Mat Dishman), Scooby Doo (Nicole Johnson) [Read more…]

Monster Photos: Monster Jam – St. Louis, MO 2013

Event: Monster Jam
Venue: Edward Jones Dome
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Date: February 2nd, 2013
Photographer: Ross Z. Bonar

Lineup: Backdraft (Jeremy Slifko), Bad Habit (Joe Sylvester), Barbarian (Devin Jones), Bounty Hunter (Darren Migues), Captain America (Chad Fortune), Captain’s Curse (Alex Blackwell), El Toro Loco (Becky McDonough), Eradicator (Andy Slifko), Grave Digger (Carl Van Horn), Grave Digger The Legend (Adam Anderson), Grinder (John Seasock), Iron Outlaw (Joe Miller), Maximum Destruction (Kreg Christensen), Raminator (Mark Hall), Rammunition (Mat Dishman), Scooby Doo (Nicole Johnson) [Read more…]

TMB’s 2013 “Road to the World Finals” Power Rankings – January Update

One of our most popular features each year on TheMonsterBlog.com is back for 2013, as we once again rank drivers competing in Monster Jam in our “Road to the World Finals” Power Rankings/Unofficial Point Standings. Fans always wonder exactly how USHRA selects its 28 competitors for the annual Monster Jam World Finals, and so do we. We also often wonder just how all the drivers stack up against each other throughout, and at the end of the Monster Jam season. Without some sort of points system for the Monster Jam series, it is awfully hard to do so as they often run events in up to 10-15 different venues in a single weekend. So for the 7th year in a row, TMB will be operating our “Road to the World Finals” power rankings/unofficial point standings for the Monster Jam series based directly on the results available at MonsterJam.com. This is our way of ranking the drivers based on their performance throughout the season and gives us a good idea of which drivers have most earned a spot in the World Finals, whether they ultimately end up being selected or not.

If you didn’t follow along last year, we’re sure that you have many questions about how we put this together: How does it work? Which events are we including? How are the points awarded? etc. At the bottom of each week’s update, you’ll see the detailed rationale and explanation that should answer most of these questions. Last year Ryan Anderson became the first driver other than father Dennis or Tom Meents to prevail on our “Road to the World Finals”! Who will be tops in 2013? Follow along and let’s find out together!

After one month, "the new guy" to Team Grave Digger, Jon Zimmer, is leading the Road to the World Finals!

After one month, “the new guy” to Team Grave Digger, Jon Zimmer, is leading the Road to the World Finals!

Our first rankings for the 2013 season include the early December Minneapolis Monster Jam event and the entire slate of events from the month of January. With all those events in the books, the big surprise is that new Team Grave Digger driver Jon Zimmer is the #1 ranked driver in all of Monster Jam! Zimmer has had a strong start to the season, with a big arena performance to start off the year, two runner-ups in Detroit and freestyle wins in Toronto and Vancouver.

Another driver laying the foundation for one of his best seasons in recent memory is Jimmy Creten in the Bounty Hunter. Creten has put up some big numbers, dominating arena events in Columbus and Uniondale and sweeping two nights of stadium racing in Toronto. The highest Creten has ever finished in our rankings is 3rd back in 2009 – could this be the year that an independent finally manages to finish on top?

Don’t look now however, as the young guns are climbing the rankings. Last year’s Road to the World Finals champ Ryan Anderson has just nailed down two straight double down weekends in Tampa and Orlando, putting Son Uva Digger up to 3rd overall. Former freestyle champs Damon Bradshaw and Adam Anderson have both racked up several stadium wins and they currently round out the top 5.

For the first 5 years we did Road to the World Finals, Dennis Anderson and Tom Meents took the top spot every time. To do it again in 2013, they have some work ahead of them as inconsistency has plagued both drivers to start off the year. Anderson is currently ranked 9th, with Meents in 15th.

With the field expanding to 28 trucks for this year’s World Finals, that opens up a couple more spots for drivers to try and show they merit consideration for an official invite from Feld. Lupe Soza, Chad Fortune and Chuck Werner are currently hanging just inside the top 28, while Steve Sims, Mike Vaters and Norm Miller are just outside. We expect to see some wild competition for those final spots once again this year.

Check out the Road to the World Finals unofficial rankings after January below:

roadtofinals13_jan

Here is how points were scored in the only Elite Level event held to date:

Week One

12/1 – Minneapolis, Minnesota

Racing Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Marc MacDonald – El Toro Loco – 20
2nd – Damon Bradshaw – Monster Energy – 15
Semi-Finals – Bari Musawwir – Batman – 7.5
Semi-Finals – Adam Anderson – Grave Digger The Legend – 7.5

Freestyle Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Ryan Anderson – Son Uva Digger – 20
2nd – Dennis Anderson – Grave Digger – 15
3rd – Damon Bradshaw – Monster Energy – 10
4th – Linsey Weenk – Lucas Oil Stadium – 5

Week Two

1/4 – Tacoma, Washington

Racing Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Tom Meents – Maximum Destruction – 10
2nd – Scott Buetow – Hot Wheels Firestorm – 7.5
Semi-Finals – Ben Winslow – Bounty Hunter – 3.75
Semi-Finals – Chad Fortune – Captain America – 3.75

Freestyle Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Adam Anderson – Grave Digger The Legend – 10
Tie 2nd – Tom Meents – Maximum Destruction – 6.25
Tie 2nd – Charlie Pauken – Grave Digger – 6.25
4th – George Balhan – Mohawk Warrior – 2.5

1/5 AM – Tacoma, Washington

Racing Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Charlie Pauken – Grave Digger – 10
2nd – Chad Fortune – Captain America – 7.5
Semi-Finals – George Balhan – Mohawk Warrior – 3.75
Semi-Finals – Scott Buetow – Hot Wheels Firestorm – 3.75

Freestyle Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Tom Meents – Maximum Destruction – 10
2nd – Charlie Pauken – Grave Digger – 7.5
3rd – Adam Anderson – Grave Digger The Legend – 5
4th – George Balhan – Mohawk Warrior – 2.5

1/5 PM – Tacoma, Washington

Racing Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Chad Fortune – Captain America – 10
2nd – Taryn Laskey – Monster Mutt Dalmation – 7.5
Semi-Finals – Travis Groth – Captain USA – 3.75
Semi-Finals – Scott Buetow – Hot Wheels Firestorm – 3.75

Freestyle Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Tom Meents – Maximum Destruction – 10
Tie 2nd – Adam Anderson – Grave Digger The Legend – 6.25
Tie 2nd – Charlie Pauken – Grave Digger – 6.25
Tie 4th – Travis Groth – Captain USA – 1.25
Tie 4th – Darren Migues – Iron Outlaw – 1.25

1/6 – Tacoma, Washington

Racing Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – George Balhan – Mohawk Warrior – 10
2nd – Jim Lenhertz – Obsession – 7.5
Semi-Finals – Travis Groth – Captain USA – 3.75
Semi-Finals – Chad Fortune – Captain America – 3.75

Freestyle Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Charlie Pauken – Grave Digger – 10
Tie 2nd – Adam Anderson – Grave Digger The Legend – 6.25
Tie 2nd – Tom Meents – Maximum Destruction – 6.25
Tie 4th – Donald Epidendio – Titan – 1.25
Tie 4th – Darren Migues – Iron Outlaw – 1.25

Week Three

1/12 – Detroit, Michigan

Racing Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Neil Elliott – Maximum Destruction – 20
2nd – Jon Zimmer – Grave Digger – 15
Semi-Finals – Chris Bergeron – Brutus – 7.5
Semi-Finals – Frank Krmel – Grinder – 7.5

Freestyle Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Neil Elliott – Maximum Destruction – 20
2nd – Jon Zimmer – Grave Digger – 15
3rd – Jim Koehler – Avenger – 10
4th – Cam McQueen – Northern Nightmare – 5

1/12 – Houston, Texas

Racing Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Linsey Weenk – Lucas Oil Crusader – 20
2nd – Dennis Anderson – Grave Digger – 15
Semi-Finals – Alex Blackwell – Captain’s Curse – 7.5
Semi-Finals – Jimmy Creten – Bounty Hunter – 7.5

Freestyle Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Dennis Anderson – Grave Digger – 20
2nd – Kreg Christensen – Maximum Destruction – 15
3rd – Lupe Soza – Grinder – 10
Tie 4th – Jimmy Creten – Bounty Hunter – 2.5
Tie 4th – Linsey Weenk – Lucas Oil Crusader – 2.5

1/12 – Anaheim, California

Racing Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Donald Epidendio – Titan – 20
2nd – Adam Anderson – Grave Digger The Legend – 15
Semi-Finals – Charlie Pauken – Grave Digger – 7.5
Semi-Finals – Andrew Peckhum – Tropical Thunder – 7.5

Freestyle Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Adam Anderson – Grave Digger The Legend – 20
Tie 2nd – Damon Bradshaw – Monster Energy – 12.5
Tie 2nd – Charlie Pauken – Grave Digger – 12.5
Tie 4th – Tom Meents – Maximum Destruction – 2.5
Tie 4th – Scott Buetow – Hot Wheels Firestorm – 2.5

1/12 – San Antonio, Texas

Racing Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – John Seasock – Grinder – 20
2nd – Michael Harper – Outlaw – 15
Semi-Finals – George Balhan – Mohawk Warrior – 7.5
Semi-Finals – Bari Musawwir – Spiderman – 7.5

Freestyle Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – George Balhan – Mohawk Warrior – 20
2nd – John Seasock – Grinder – 15
3rd – Bari Musawwir – Spiderman – 10
4th – Devin Jones – Barbarian – 5

1/13 – San Antonio, Texas

Racing Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – George Balhan – Mohawk Warrior – 20
2nd – John Seasock – Grinder – 15
Semi-Finals – Allen Pezo – Predator – 7.5
Semi-Finals – Darren Migues – Iron Outlaw – 7.5

Freestyle Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Chad Tingler – Grave Digger – 20
Tie 2nd – David Smith – Nitro Hornet – 12.5
Tie 2nd – Ben Winslow – Bounty Hunter – 12.5
Tie 4th – Darren Migues – Iron Outlaw – 2.5
Tie 4th – Jeremy Slifko – Backdraft – 2.5

Week Four

1/19 – Tampa, Florida

Racing Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Ryan Anderson – Son Uva Digger – 20
2nd – Marc MacDonald – El Toro Loco – 15
Semi-Finals – Tom Meents – Maximum Destruction – 7.5
Semi-Finals – Morgan Kane – Iron Man – 7.5

Freestyle Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Ryan Anderson – Son Uva Digger – 20
2nd – Tom Meents – Maximum Destruction – 15
Tie 3rd – Marc MacDonald – El Toro Loco – 7.5
Tie 3rd – Rod Schmidt – Grave Digger – 7.5

1/19 – Minneapolis, Minnesota

Racing Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Bari Musawwir – Spiderman – 20
2nd – John Seasock – Grinder – 15
Semi-Finals – Mat Dishman – Rammunition – 7.5
Semi-Finals – Chris Bergeron – Brutus – 7.5

Freestyle Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Chad Tingler – Grave Digger – 20
2nd – Bari Musawwir – Spiderman – 15
3rd – Becky McDonough – El Toro Loco – 10
Tie 4th – Chris Bergeron – Brutus – 2.5
Tie 4th – Taryn Laskey – Monster Mutt Dalmation – 2.5

1/19 – Houston, Texas

Racing Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Adam Anderson – Grave Digger The Legend – 20
2nd – Lee O’Donnell – Iron Man – 15
Semi-Finals – Pablo Huffaker – Grave Digger – 7.5
Semi-Finals – Lupe Soza – Grinder – 7.5

Freestyle Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Lupe Soza – Grinder – 20
2nd – Dan Evans – Rod Ryan Show – 15
Tie 3rd – Adam Anderson – Grave Digger The Legend – 7.5
Tie 3rd – Chad Fortune – Captain America – 7.5

1/19 – San Diego, California

Racing Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Damon Bradshaw – Monster Energy – 20
2nd – Linsey Weenk – Lucas Oil Crusader – 15
Semi-Finals – Charlie Pauken – Grave Digger – 7.5
Semi-Finals – Scott Buetow – Hot Wheels Firestorm – 7.5

Freestyle Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Damon Bradshaw – Monster Energy – 20
2nd – Alex Blackwell – Captain’s Curse – 15
3rd – Kreg Christensen – Maximum Destruction – 10
Tie 4th – Scott Buetow – Hot Wheels Firestorm – 2.5
Tie 4th – Candace Jolly – Monster Mutt Dalmation – 2.5

1/19 – Toronto, Ontario

Racing Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Jimmy Creten – Bounty Hunter – 20
2nd – Norm Miller – Batman – 15
Semi-Finals – Jon Zimmer – Grave Digger – 7.5
Semi-Finals – Todd Leduc – Metal Mulisha – 7.5

Freestyle Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Cam McQueen – Northern Nightmare – 20
2nd – Jon Zimmer – Grave Digger – 15
3rd – Jimmy Creten – Bounty Hunter – 10
4th – Todd Leduc – Metal Mulisha – 5

1/20 – Toronto, Ontario

Racing Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Jimmy Creten – Bounty Hunter – 20
2nd – Jon Zimmer – Grave Digger – 15
Semi-Finals – Norm Miller – Batman – 7.5
Semi-Finals – Todd Leduc – Metal Mulisha – 7.5

Freestyle Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Jon Zimmer – Grave Digger – 20
2nd – Jimmy Creten – Bounty Hunter – 15
3rd – Cam McQueen – Northern Nightmare – 10
Tie 4th – Dawn Creten – Scarlet Bandit – 2.5
Tie 4th – Chuck Werner – El Toro Loco – 2.5

Week Five

1/26 – Indianapolis, Indiana

Racing Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Linsey Weenk – Lucas Oil Crusader – 20
2nd – Chuck Werner – El Toro Loco – 15
Semi-Finals – Chris Bergeron – Brutus – 7.5
Semi-Finals – Jimmy Tracey – Higher Education – 7.5

Freestyle Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Dennis Anderson – Grave Digger – 20
2nd – Linsey Weenk – Lucas Oil Crusader – 15
3rd – Chuck Werner – El Toro Loco – 10
4th – Frank Krmel – Grinder – 5

1/26 – Orlando, Florida

Racing Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Ryan Anderson – Son Uva Digger – 20
2nd – Marc MacDonald – El Toro Loco – 15
Semi-Finals – Scott Hartsock – Gun Slinger – 7.5
Semi-Finals – Steve Sims – Stone Crusher – 7.5

Freestyle Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Ryan Anderson – Son Uva Digger – 20
2nd – Chad Tingler – Grave Digger – 15
3rd – Steve Sims – Stone Crusher – 10
4th – Tom Meents – Maximum Destruction – 5

1/26 – Phoenix, Arizona

Racing Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Damon Bradshaw – Monster Energy – 20
2nd – Todd Leduc – Metal Mulisha – 15
Semi-Finals – Charlie Pauken – Grave Digger – 7.5
Semi-Finals – Scott Buetow – Hot Wheels Firestorm – 7.5

Freestyle Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Charlie Pauken – Grave Digger – 20
Tie 2nd – Todd Leduc – Metal Mulisha – 10
Tie 2nd – Damon Bradshaw – Monster Energy – 10
Tie 2nd – Scott Buetow – Hot Wheels Firestorm – 10

1/26 – Anaheim, California

Racing Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Donald Epidendio – Titan – 20
2nd – Dan Evans – Blue Thunder – 15
Semi-Finals – Pablo Huffaker – Grave Digger – 7.5
Semi-Finals – Andrew Peckhum – Tropical Thunder – 7.5

Freestyle Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Adam Anderson – Grave Digger The Legend – 20
2nd – Pablo Huffaker – Grave Digger – 15
3rd – Dan Evans – Blue Thunder – 10
4th – Dan Rodoni – The Patriot – 5

1/26 – Vancouver, British Columbia

Racing Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Kreg Christensen – Maximum Destruction – 20
2nd – Alex Blackwell – Captain’s Curse – 15
Semi-Finals – Jon Zimmer – Grave Digger – 7.5
Semi-Finals – Cam McQueen – Northern Nightmare – 7.5

Freestyle Finish – Driver – Truck – Points Earned

1st – Jon Zimmer – Grave Digger – 20
2nd – Kreg Christensen – Maximum Destruction – 15
3rd – Alex Blackwell – Captain’s Curse – 10
4th – Kelvin Ramer – Time Flys – 5

For results from Normal Level events, check out the 2013 Results Tracker 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!

About TMB’s Road to the World Finals:

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

Monster Photos: Monster Jam – Indianapolis, IN 2013

Event: Monster Jam
Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Date: January 26th, 2013
Photographer: Chris Parrish

Lineup: Avenger (Jim Koehler), Backdraft (Jeremy Slifko), Barbarian (Devin Jones), Brutus (Chris Bergeron), El Toro Loco (Chuck Werner), Eradicator (Andy Slifko), Grave Digger (Dennis Anderson), Grinder (Frank Krmel), Higher Education (Jimmy Tracey), Lucas Oil Crusader (Linsey Weenk), Maximum Destruction (Neil Elliott), Megabite (Brad Allen), Monster Mutt Dalmation (Candace Jolly), Wolverine (Dustin Brown), Wrecking Crew (Steve Koehler), Zombie (Sean Duhon) [Read more…]

Monster Photos: Monster Jam – Indianapolis, IN 2013

Event: Monster Jam
Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Date: January 26th, 2013
Photographer: Danny Maass

Lineup: Avenger (Jim Koehler), Backdraft (Jeremy Slifko), Barbarian (Devin Jones), Brutus (Chris Bergeron), El Toro Loco (Chuck Werner), Eradicator (Andy Slifko), Grave Digger (Dennis Anderson), Grinder (Frank Krmel), Higher Education (Jimmy Tracey), Lucas Oil Crusader (Linsey Weenk), Maximum Destruction (Neil Elliott), Megabite (Brad Allen), Monster Mutt Dalmation (Candace Jolly), Wolverine (Dustin Brown), Wrecking Crew (Steve Koehler), Zombie (Sean Duhon) [Read more…]

The Allen Report: Monster Jam – Phoenix, AZ 2013

(Coverage By Christopher Allen, Photos By Jim Allen)

Weekend Recap

This time on “The Allen Report”, the biggest field in the history of Monster Jam in the “Valley of the Sun” played their game to a sold-out crowd at Chase Field. The field of 16: Charlie Pauken represented Team Grave Digger. Familiar faces Batman with Norm Miller at the helm and Devastator driven by Mark Schroeder were also in the house. West Coaster Daron Basl drove King Krunch while sharing the seat of team truck Nitro Hornet with former Bigfoot and FELD driver Sky Hartley. Rookie Shane England rounded out the camp in Big Kahuna. Todd Leduc was back driving Metal Mulisha. Scott Buetow came piloting Team Hot Wheels Firestorm. Steven Hill took the wheel of Ground Pounder. Right behind him in the teammate Amsoil Shock Therapy was Dave Radzierez. Damon Bradshaw was present in Monster Energy. Hometown driver Rod Wood was there as always in McGruff. Mitch Tulachka and Shane Phreed returned in Jus’ Geter Done and Robo Machine. Pat Gerber and Shocker appeared and rounding out the field was first year driver J.P. Ruggiero in El Diablo.

From the first green light of the So-Cal style of racing, the monster from the Mulisha compound and the black and green wrecking machine were on a collision course with each other. Just four-tenths of a second separated them in qualifications. From there, the two bulldozed down the opposition. However, as Grave Digger came back to the pits after defeating Monster Energy in the semi-finals, there was smoke pouring from GD’s motor area. Unable to get fixed in time, Monster Energy took Digger’s place at the starting line where Metal Mulisha was there waiting. Halfway home at the “jammer” obstacle, Todd, a former short course off road racer, drifted a little too far out. From there, the win was Monster Energy’s. But the night’s action was far from over.

Nitro Hornet stung the field early with a score of 23. The Oregon native would remain the “hot seat” for a large part of the night. Then came the truck conceived by “the General” Brian Deegan and the other straight from the top secret Hot Wheels test facility. They both scored a 27 with the “coolest” monster truck around having a hair-thin edge of a single bonus point. Then on came the “Bad to the Bone” music. With the crowd roaring and the engine running on only seven cylinders, the 2010 Freestyle World Champion nailed huge air and had incredible speed followed by dizzying three-wheeled cyclones to take the winning score of 31, twenty-seven in regulation and no less than four bonus points for the win.

In other action, Team USA defeated Team Mexico in fast and furious quad war action. In addition, Tom Cunningham won the “off road truck-cross” main. From here, we at “The Allen Report” head out to Firebird Raceway for the last ever two day monster truck marathon on the merciless drag strip in Chandler, AZ. Till then, thank you for reading, enjoy the photos and cheer on!

Photo Gallery

All content copyright TheMonsterBlog.com 2013.

Monster Photos: Monster Jam – Columbus, OH 2013

Event: Monster Jam
Venue: Nationwide Arena
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Date: January 4th-5th, 2013
Photographer: Paul M. Harry

Lineup: Bounty Hunter (Jimmy Creten), Grave Digger (Randy Brown), Grinder (Lupe Soza), Illuminator (Jay Snyder), Madusa (Debra Miceli), Samson (Dan Patrick), Scarlet Bandit (Dawn Creten), Superman (Joey Parnell) [Read more…]

Feld Motor Sports® Teams up with Walmart to Bring Monster Jam® Special Value Experiences to Fans Nationwide

(Aurora, Illinois – Feld Motor Sports PR) – Monster Jam®, an entertainment property of Feld Motor Sports®, and Walmart have joined together to offer customers access to an unprecedented Monster Jam experience. Together Monster Jam and Walmart have created specially priced family 4-packs of tickets that will be available for Monster Jam events in over 70 markets. Additionally, select Walmart store parking lots will play host to popular Monster Jam trucks like Grave Digger®, Max-D®, and Team Hot Wheels® Firestorm®, and customers will have the chance to get driver autographs while also stocking up on merchandise from the in-store Monster Jam merchandise pallets. Monster Jam truck display events kicked off on Friday, January 4th and will continue through March.

Monster Jam is teaming up with Wal-Mart for 2013!

Monster Jam is teaming up with Wal-Mart for 2013!

“The entertainment program developed between Monster Jam, the largest touring motor sports property in the world, and Walmart is designed to provide access to the millions of Walmart shoppers in their hometowns. This program is unprecedented and will touch more than 70 unique markets, and over 1,000 stores, across the country over the next 90 days,” said Ken Hudgens, COO, Feld Motor Sports. “The officially licensed Monster Jam merchandise, family 4-pack ticket offers, and on-site Monster Jam truck displays will make this Walmart program a tremendous value for our fans.”

Monster Jam fans already go to Walmart for the biggest selection of officially licensed Monster Jam merchandise which includes toys, video games, bedding, apparel and even birthday cakes. This entertainment program brings with it new Monster Jam products that will complement the current Monster Jam product assortment at Walmart locations across the country. Customers can now purchase new 2013 Hot Wheels® Monster Jam die-cast vehicles and playsets, Men’s and Boy’s t-shirts, and, to help fans get ready for the shows, exclusive officially licensed Monster Jam souvenir items available only at Walmart.

The family 4-pack ticket packages are available for purchase in the electronics aisle at participating Walmart Ticketmaster retail locations and online through www.walmart.com/ticketmaster.

For a full listing of all participating Walmart stores, please visit www.MonsterJam.com.

2013 Monster Jam Walmart Truck Display Schedule

Monster Jam Walmart Truck Display Schedule

Monster Jam Event Details

Date and Time

Location Show Date

City

Venue
Jan. 4

3-7 pm

499 INDIAN MOUND DR

MOUNT STERLING

KY 40353 Jan. 5-6

Lexington

Rupp Arena
Jan. 10 3-7 pm 1130 S MAIN ST KERNERSVILLE NC 27284

Jan. 11-12

Greensboro Greensboro Coliseum
Jan. 11 3-7 pm

8500 WASHINGTON BLVD

PICO RIVERA CA 90660

Jan. 12

Anaheim Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Jan. 11 3-7 pm

7555 TELEGRAPH RD

TAYLOR MI

48180

Jan. 12 Detroit Ford Field
Jan. 11 3-7 pm

8923 W MILITARY DR

SAN ANTONIO

TX

78245 Jan. 12-13 San Antonio Alamodome
Jan. 17 3-7 pm

17309 INTERSTATE 30 S

BENTON

AR 72015 Jan. 18-19 Little Rock Verizon Arena
Jan. 18 3-7 pm

18185 ZANE ST NW

ELK RIVER MN 55330 Jan.19 Minneapolis Metrodome
Jan. 18 3-7 pm

1150 BROADWAY

CHULA VISTA

CA 91911 Jan. 19 San Diego Qualcomm Stadium
Jan. 18 3-7 pm 2602 JAMES L REDMAN PKWY

PLANT CITY

FL 33566 Jan. 19 Tampa Raymond James Stadium
Jan. 24 3-7 pm

2500 PROGRESS PKWY

SHELBYVILLE IN 46176 Jan. 26 Indianapolis Lucas Oil Stadium
Jan. 25 3-7 pm

1700 S ORG BLSMTRAIL

APOPKA

FL 32703 Jan. 26 Orlando Citrus Bowl
Jan. 25 3-7 pm

1060 S WATSON RD

BUCKEYE

AZ 85326 Jan. 26 Phoenix Chase Field
Jan. 31 3-7 pm 25 NICHOLS DR

BARBOURSVILLE

WV 25504 Feb. 1-3 Charleston Charleston Civic Center
Feb. 1 3-7 pm 650 S TRUMAN BLVD FESTUS MO 63028 Feb. 2 St. Louis Edward Jones Dome
Feb. 8 3-7 pm 8651 NW 13TH TER DORAL

FL

33126 Feb. 9 Miami Sun Life Stadium
Feb. 14 3-7 pm 2550 COORS BLDV. NW ALBUQUERQUE

NM

87120 Feb. 15-17 Albuquerque Tingley Coliseum
Feb. 14 3-7 pm 30 TRINITY POINT DR WASHINGTON PA 15301 Feb. 15-17 Pittsburgh Consol Energy Center
Feb. 21 3-7 pm 10 WALMART DR MOUNDSVILLE WV

26041

Feb. 22-24 Wheeling WesBanco Arena
Feb. 22 3-7 pm 6401 NE LOOP 820 NORTH RICHLAND HILLS TX

76180

Feb. 23 Arlington Cowboys Stadium
Feb. 22 3-7 pm 13227 CITY SQUARE DR JACKSONVILLE FL

32218

Feb. 23 Jacksonville EverBank Field
Feb. 22 3-7 pm 880 N HIGHWAY 190 COVINGTON LA 70433 Feb. 23 New Orleans Mercedes-Benz Superdome
Feb. 22 3-7 pm 30600 DYER ST UNION CITY CA 94587 Feb. 23 Oakland O.co Coliseum
Mar .1 3-7 pm 1850 N ZARAGOZA RD EL PASO TX 79936 Mar. 2-3 El Paso UTEP Sun Bowl
Mar .1 3-7 pm 407 GEORGE CLAUS BLVD SEVERN MD 21144 Mar. 2-3 Baltimore

1st Mariner Arena

Mar. 7 3-7 pm 2024 GENESEE ST ONEIDA NY 13421

Mar. 9

Syracuse

Carrier Dome

Mar. 7 3-7 pm 100 LUNGER DR BLOOMSBURG PA 17815 Mar. 8-10

Wilkes Barre

Mohegan Sun Arena
Mar. 7 3-7 pm 308 N AIRLINE HWY GONZALES LA 70737

Mar. 8-9

Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge River Center

About Feld Motor Sports®

Feld Motor Sports®, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. productions include Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMSOIL Arenacross, Monster Energy Cup, Nuclear Cowboyz®, and IHRA® Nitro Jam®. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world’s largest producer of live family entertainment. For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com.

Monster Truck Radio 10/08/12 – Summer Recap Show

Monster Truck Radio With Host Ross Z. Bonar & Co-Host Chris Parrish
Date: Monday, October 8th, 2012
Guest #1: Dennis Anderson, driver of Grave Digger
Guest #2: Jeff Cook, President of the International Monster Truck Museum & Hall of Fame
Guest #3: Jim Kramer, Vice President, Bigfoot 4×4
Guest #4: Rob French, driver of Formula 1-noni Iron Horse
Guest #5: Dan Rodoni, driver of The Patriot
Guest #6: Jeff Richards, Vice President, Monster Truck Entertainment [Read more…]

Monster Truck Radio 05/29/12 – Scott Douglass

Monster Truck Radio With Host Ross Z. Bonar & Co-Host Chris Parrish
Date: Monday, May 29th, 2012
Guest #1: Scott Douglass, The Voice of Monster Jam on SPEED TV
Guest #2: N/A [Read more…]

Monster Truck Radio 04/09/12 – John Seasock

Monster Truck Radio With Host Ross Z. Bonar & Co-Host Chris Parrish
Date: Monday, April 9th, 2012
Guest #1: John Seasock, driver of Advance Auto Parts Grinder
Guest #2: N/A [Read more…]

Monster Photos: Monster Jam World Finals XIII – Las Vegas, NV 2012

Event: Monster Jam World Finals XIII
Venue: Sam Boyd Stadium
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Date: March 24th, 2012
Photographer: Jim Allen

Lineup: Avenger – Jim Koehler, Bounty Hunter – Jimmy Creten, Brutus – Chris Bergeron, Captain America – Chad Fortune, Captain’s Curse – Pablo Huffaker, El Toro Loco – Marc MacDonald, Grave Digger – Dennis Anderson, Grave Digger The Legend – Adam Anderson, Grinder – John Seasock/Lupe Soza, Iron Man – Lee O’Donnell, Lucas Oil Crusader – Linsey Weenk, Madusa – Debra Miceli, Maximum Destruction – Tom Meents, Metal Mulisha – Todd Leduc, Mohawk Warrior – George Balhan, Monster Energy – Damon Bradshaw, Monster Mutt – Charlie Pauken, Monster Mutt Dalmatian – Candace Jolly, Northern Nightmare – Cam McQueen, Son-uva Digger – Ryan Anderson, Spider-Man – Chad Tingler, Stone Crusher – Steve Sims, Team Hot Wheels – Neil Elliott, Wolverine – Alex Blackwell
[Read more…]

Video of the Week – 03/31/12

Week Ending: March 31st, 2012
Truck(s) Featured: Team Hot Wheels
Video Type: Promotional Video
Courtesy: www.YouTube.com

Description: Sweet Hot Wheels promotional video featuring the Team Hot Wheels monster truck.

Monster Photos: Monster Jam – Detroit, MI 2012

Event: Monster Jam
Venue: Ford Field
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Date: March 3rd, 2012
Photographer: Paul M. Harry

Lineup: Aftershock (Bob Robbins), Avenger (Jim Koehler), Bad Habit (Joe Sylvester), Brutus (Chris Bergeron), Grave Digger (Charlie Pauken), Grave Digger The Legend (Adam Anderson), Grinder (Frank Krmel), High Maintenance (Jocelyn Perrin), Hot Wheels (Dan Evans), Maximum Destruction (Kreg Christensen), Metal Mulisha (Brian Deegan), Spike (Jeff Anderson), Superman (Sean Duhon), War Wizard (Randy Moore), Wolverine (Alex Blackwell), Wrecking Crew (Steve Koehler)
[Read more…]