The Allen Report: All Star Monster Truck Tour – Phoenix, AZ 2013

(Coverage By Christopher Allen, Photos By Jim Allen)

Weekend Recap

This time on “The Allen Report”, we look back to the end of last year, when a familiar sight returned to the Arizona State Fairgrounds with an interesting twist. Six monster trucks arrived over the first weekend of November. However, both halves of the field would be split into different shows over the weekend. Six shows happened over the three days. Every win was rewarded with points. Shows number one, three and five starred Rod Wood in El Perro Loco, Nasty Boy piloted by Travis Sturges and team owner Sam Sturges back in Unnamed and Untamed. All the other performances showcased Jimmy Lyons in Firedrill, Dawn Creten in control of Iron Outlaw and Darren Migues behind the wheel of Bounty Hunter.

In the first group of shows, Rod Wood had increasingly higher competition. He started his weekend with a clean sweep of wheelie contest, S-track obstacle course racing and freestyle on Friday. His opponents started to catch up when Nasty Boy got a win in wheelies, only to have his right front tire snap off upon landing. Undeterred by the snap of his streak, Rod just started another, winning both obstacle course and freestyle to maintain his lead. But when Sunday arrived, Nasty Boy shed off the pit rust quickly, winning both of the first two competitions before the Crazy Dog finally got his groove back with a 27 point win in freestyle.

Over in the other group, Bounty Hunter continued the game of “anything you can do, I can do” by duplicating Rod Wood’s clean sweep in his group’s first show. That evening, Darren started to do the same with a win in wheelies. But in obstacle course, Bounty Hunter suddenly shut off with the finish line just ahead, giving the win to Iron Outlaw. Darren Migues had everyone on notice in freestyle with an exciting run. But he could only tie with Dawn Creten. In the weekend’s final show, Jimmy Lyons finally found his winning wheelies, even with only rear wheel drive. But Darren Migues won in obstacle course and laid it all out in his final freestyle.

When all the points were tallied up, Rod Wood and El Perro Loco were declared the Arizona State Fair Overall Champions. The weekend also featured some thrilling “tuff truck” action and rides for all with the Boogie Monster.

For us at “the Allen Report”, next up caught a plane to northern Indiana to watch five legends of the monster truck sport receive induction into the International Monster Truck Hall of Fame. You’ll see that next week as we catch up on action from the end of 2013, thank you for reading, a grateful thank-you to All-Star Monster Trucks for hosting these great events, enjoy the photos and cheer on!

Photo Gallery

All content copyright TheMonsterBlog.com 2013.

TMB TV: MT Unlimited 5.2 – Monster X Tour – Bakersfield, CA 2014

tmbtv_mtu

Episode Information

Episode: MT Unlimited 5.2
Event: Monster X Tour
Venue: Rabobank Arena
Location: Bakersfield, California
Date: January 17th-18th, 2014
Videographer: Colby Marshall

Featured Monster Trucks

California Kid – Tehvyn Goodwin
Mega Merc – Devin Ball
Monster Truck Mafia Bigfoot #19 – Larry Swim
Nasty Boy – Travis Sturges
Rock Star – Bill Payne
Unnamed & Untamed – Sam Sturges

Featured Links

www.BIGFOOT4x4.com
www.MonsterXTour.com
www.StraightUpRacing.com
www.StugesMotorsports.com
[/column] [Read more...]

TMB TV: MT Unlimited 5.1 – Monster X Tour – Stockton, CA 2014

tmbtv_mtu

Episode Information

Episode: MT Unlimited 5.1
Event: Monster X Tour
Venue: Stockton Arena
Location: Stockton, California
Date: January 10th, 2014
Videographer: Colby Marshall

Featured Monster Trucks

California Kid – Tehvyn Goodwin
Mega Merc – Devin Ball
Monster Truck Mafia Bigfoot #19 – Larry Swim
Nasty Boy – Travis Sturges
Rock Star – Bill Payne
Unnamed & Untamed – Sam Sturges

Featured Links

www.BIGFOOT4x4.com
www.MonsterXTour.com
www.StraightUpRacing.com
www.StugesMotorsports.com
[/column] [Read more...]

The Allen Report – Monster Truck Show – Phoenix, AZ 2013

(Coverage By Christopher Allen, Photos By Jim Allen)

Weekend Recap

This time on “The Allen Report”, five regional favorites are pushed to the limit in two shows in a single day, the last day of the Maricopa County Fair. It was here, one year ago, where Grand Canyon State Promotions ventured into the world of monster trucks for the very first time. With the big crowd that followed last year, it made sense the monster trucks came back this year. The lineup looked like this: Tucson’s Rod Wood was in McGruff and Ronnie Sturges, as always, piloted Nasty Boy. His brother Travis filled in for their Uncle Sam in Unnamed & Untamed and a friend of the Sturges’ from just across the border in Mexico named Cesar Nunez took the helm of the sleek ’63 Corvette named Rat Attack. Finally, Jack Koberna, as always, drove Tuff-E-Nuff.

The race course of choice was “Minneapolis Style”, with the trucks starting in the middle and working their way around with the third jump representing the finish line. After Nasty Boy put McGruff in the dog pound, Rat Attack took the place of Unnamed against Tuff-E-Nuff after the 1942 Panel Wagon locked up both axles on the way to the starting line. Rat Attack won the right to face Nasty Boy in the first semi final. In the consolation race, McGruff got his groove back and tamed Tuff-E-Nuff to get another shot at the main event where Nasty Boy, having beaten Rat Attack, was there waiting. But history repeated itself when McGruff spun out in the final corner, giving the racing title to Ronnie Sturges. In the exhibition only freestyle, McGruff had some great air and kept the speed up very well. But the highlight came when Rat Attack launched off a starting line jump and followed it up with a slap wheelie before a tuff truck jump sent him on his side, much to the delight of the fans.

The evening show would see only 4 vehicles as Rat Attack’s rollover broke his hub inside the axle and it could not get fixed in time. But Unnamed & Untamed was back in the game with both third members in the axles fixed. In racing, McGruff rolled the dice one more time with Unnamed and won to advance to the finals. Nasty Boy downed Tuff-E-Nuff in the other semi to face Rod Wood for the third time in the same day. But first, the dark cloud finally lifted off of U & U when Travis Sturges drove to victory over New Mexico’s Jack Koberna in the third place race. In the main event, Rod Wood just could not stop the domination of Team Sturges at the Maricopa County Fair. Nasty Boy swept racing. To finish the night, all 4 trucks gave it all in a wild exhibition only freestyle. Jack Koberna, the southwest monster truck legend from New Mexico, threw out some huge air, a near vertical slap wheelie and some dusty donuts, much to the delight of the fans.

The shows also featured some tuff truck racing, freestyle motocross action and hilarious side by side SUV racing on the tuff truck course. For us at “The Allen Report”, we are headed over to Los Angeles next to cover Robby Gordon’s SST race at the venue where stadium off road racing all began, the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. So, thank you for reading, a huge thanks to Grand Canyon State Promotions for their hospitality, enjoy the photos and cheer on!

Photo Gallery

All content copyright TheMonsterBlog.com 2013.

Video of the Week – 01/26/13

Week Ending: January 26th, 2013
Truck(s) Featured: Equalizer (Brandon Budd), Maverik Monster Trakkar (Ron Duncombe), Nasty Boy (Ronnie Sturges), Red Solo Truck (Travis Sturges), Toxic (Travis Petri), Unnamed & Untamed (Sam Sturges)
Video Type: Fan Video
Courtesy: www.YouTube.com

Description: Highlights from Saturday night’s event at the first All Star Monster Truck Tour at the Maverik Center in West Valley City, Utah!

Monster Photos: Monster Truck Winter Nationals – Loveland, CO 2013

Event: Monster Truck Winter Nationals
Venue: Budweiser Events Center
Location: Loveland, Colorado
Date: January 19th, 2013
Photographer: John Roberts

Lineup: El Loco Hombre (Shannon Miller), Ghost Ryder (Larry Quick), Malicious (Gabriel Montoya), Nasty Boy (Ronnie Sturges), SPEED Energy Bigfoot #19 (Larry Swim), Unnamed & Untamed (Travis Sturges) [Read more…]

The Allen Report: Monster Truck Show – Phoenix, AZ 2012

(Coverage By Christopher Allen, Photos By Jim Allen)

Believe it or not, some promoters put together automotive entertainment shows without monster trucks. Arizona’s own Grand Canyon State Promotions has done demo derby shows and freestyle motocross shows, but never monster trucks. That is, until now. On April 15th, the last day of the 2012 Maricopa County Fair, the young promoter ventured into monster trucks. The lineup included: Travis Sturges in 1/2 Pint, brother Ronnie in Nasty Boy and their Uncle Sam in Unnamed & Untamed. There was also Murphy McCorey driving El Perro Loco and New Mexico’s own Jack Koberna in Tuff Enuff.

Both shows saw Chicago style racing. To open the afternoon show, Nasty Boy defeated 1/2 Pint in Round 1. Due to a lack of available fast loser, the 1940 Willys got a bye into the finals. El Perro Loco, who had had a bye run the round before, faced Tuff Enuff for the right to face Nasty Boy in the finals. The 30 year veteran Jack Koberna crossed the line first, but lost due to failing to get both front tires up the ramp on the final jump. In the finale, it was neck and neck until the crazy dog’s tail washed out on him, giving Nasty Boy the win. Freestyle saw great runs from all. Sadly, Tuff Enuff was finished for the weekend only two jumps in due to a blown motor. After several tries at a cheer off, it was Sturges walking away with the win, Sam and Unnamed, that is.

The evening show saw Nasty Boy chain El Perro Loco to advance into the finals again, this time facing teammate 1/2 Pint in a rematch from the afternoon. This time around, Travis put Nasty Boy in the naughty corner with a win to close racing for the weekend. But the night’s action was far from over. Having been plagued by ignition problems all day, Sam still impressed his home state fans with wheelies and fine air. But 1/2 Pint had the biggest air of the day on several of the big jumps on the floor, long wheelies and plenty of speed. All of those moves were more than enough to become the only double winner of the weekend. It was truly an amazing weekend for the home state team; as every member of the team took home at least one trophy. With a nearly full crowd, a good field of competitors and a well built track, the future looks promising for Grand Canyon State Promotions.

Throughout the weekend, there had been an exhibition showcasing tough trucks racing special off road vehicles called tom cars, all supplied by a local Ford dealer. And the Boogie Monster ride truck gave rides to all who wanted one before and after every performance. Next stop for us at “The Allen Report” is Firebird International Raceway where some of the biggest names who play the game will throw down to see which one of them can freestyle best on the unforgiving drag strip. Until then, thank you for reading, thanks to everyone at Grand Canyon State Promotions for their hospitality, enjoy the photos and cheer on!

All content copyright TheMonsterBlog.com 2012.

TMB TV: Original Series 5.7 – Monster Truck Thunder Slam – Jonesboro, AR 2012

TMB TV's Original Series Presented By E3 Spark Plugs
[column size=”1-3″]

Episode Information

Episode: Original Series 5.7
Event: Monster Truck Thunder Slam
Venue: ASU Convocation Center
Location: Jonesboro, Arkansas
Date: March 2nd-3rd, 2012
Host: Ross Z. Bonar
Videographers: Shane Skinner, Ross Z. Bonar
[/column] [column size=”1-3″]

Featured Monster Trucks

1/2 Pint – Travis Sturges
Bigfoot Bad Boy #16 – Larry Swim
Nasty Boy – Ronnie Sturges
Unnamed & Untamed – Sam Sturges
War Wizard – Robert Parker
[/column] [column size=”1-3″ last=”1″]

Featured Links

www.AMPTour.com
www.Bigfoot4x4.com
www.E3SparkPlugs.com
www.SturgesMotorsports.com
www.WarWizardRacing.com
[/column] [Read more…]

Monster Photos: Monster Truck Thunder Slam – Jonesboro, AR 2012

Event: Monster Truck Thunder Slam
Venue: ASU Convocation Center
Location: Jonesboro, Arkansas
Date: March 2nd-3rd, 2012
Photographer: Ross Z. Bonar

Lineup: 1/2 Pint (Travis Sturges), Bigfoot Bad Boy #16 (Larry Swim), Nasty Boy (Ronnie Sturges), Unnamed & Untamed (Sam Sturges), War Wizard (Robert Parker) [Read more…]

Video of the Week – 05/07/11

Week Ending: May 7th, 2011
Truck(s) Featured: Avenger (Jim Koehler), Bounty Hunter (Darren Migues), Brutus (Chris Bergeron), Nasty Boy (Ronnie Sturges), Summit Bigfoot 16 (Dan Runte), Unnamed & Untamed (Travis Sturges)
Video Type: Fan Video
Courtesy: www.YouTube.com

Description: Highlights from this year’s NAPA Monster Truck Nationals & Jet Car Meltdown featuring Robosaurus.

TMB TV: Original Series Episode 4.4 – Glendale, AZ 2011

Event: Monster Nationals
Venue: University of Phoenix Stadium
Location: Glendale, Arizona
Date: March 26th, 2011
Host: Ross Z. Bonar
Videographers: Ross Z. Bonar, Lynette Bonar

Lineup: 1/2 Pint (Travis Sturges), Black Knight (Dave Rife), Chalkboard Chuck (Jeff Hatten), E3 Spark Plugs Bigfoot #15 (Rick Long), El Perro Loco (Rod Wood), Lucas Oil Stabilizer (Bobby Holman), Nasty Boy (Ronnie Sturges), Star Marshal (Dave Radzierez), Unnamed & Untamed (Sam Sturges) [Read more…]

Monster Photos: Monster Nationals – Glendale, AZ 2011

Event: Monster Nationals
Venue: University of Phoenix Stadium
Location: Glendale, Arizona
Date: March 26th, 2011
Photographer: Lauren Z. Bonar

Lineup: 1/2 Pint (Travis Sturges), Black Knight (Dave Rife), Chalkboard Chuck (Jeff Hatten), E3 Spark Plugs Bigfoot #15 (Rick Long), El Perro Loco (Rod Wood), Lucas Oil Stabilizer (Bobby Holman), Nasty Boy (Ronnie Sturges), Star Marshal (Dave Radzierez), Unnamed & Untamed (Sam Sturges) [Read more…]

Profile: 1/2 Pint

Truck Name:  1/2 Pint
Driver Name:  Travis Sturges
Team Name:  Sturges Motorsports
Hometown:  Tucson, Arizona
Team Website:  http://www.SturgesMotorsports.com

2009 TMB Results Tracker Statistics:
– 1/2 Pint was driven by Ronnie Sturges and Travis Sturges in 2009, with Travis returning to the seat after many years out of the sport.
[Read more…]

Monster Truck Radio 08/09/10 – Sturges Motorsports

Monster Truck Radio With Host Jeff Richards
Date: Monday, August 9th, 2010
Guest #1:  Sam Sturges, driver of Unnamed & Untamed
Guest #2:  Ronnie Sturges, driver of Nasty Boy
Guest #3:  Travis Sturges, driver of 1/2 Pint [Read more…]

TMB TV Episode 2.13 – Springdale, AR / Lawton, OK

Events:  Monster X Tour & Outlaw Monster Truck Spectacular
Venues:  Parsons Stadium & Lawton Rangers Rodeo Arena
Locations:  Springdale, Arkansas & Lawton, Oklahoma
Dates:  September 12th & September 19th, 2009
Host:  Ross Z. Bonar
Videographer:  Kaedon Berry, Colby Marshall

Lineup (Springdale):  Bigfoot #16 (Dan Runte), Gun Slinger (Scott Hartsock), The General (Don King), Wildmann (Chad Yeager)
Lineup (Lawton):  1/2 Pint (Travis Sturges), Bounty Hunter (Jay McPherson), Iron Outlaw (Joe Miller), Nasty Boy (Ronnie Sturges), Unnamed & Untamed (Sam Sturges) [Read more…]