Monster Photos: Monster Jam – Phoenix, AZ 2014

Event Information

Event: Monster Jam
Venue: Chase Field
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Date: January 25th, 2014
Photographer: Jim Allen

Truck Lineup

Bad Habit (Joe Sylvester), Blue Thunder (Dan Evans), Bounty Hunter (Jimmy Creten), Captain USA (Travis Groth), Devastator (Mark Schroeder), Double Trouble (Tyler Groth), El Toro Loco (Lupe Soza), Geter Done (Mitch Tulachka), Grave Digger (Carl Van Horn), Madusa (Debra Miceli), McGruff (Rod Wood), Metal Mulisha (Todd Leduc), New Earth Authority (Norm Miller), The Patriot (Dan Rodoni), RoboMachine (Shane Phreed), Tropical Thunder (Andrew Peckham) [Read more…]

Monster Photos: Monster Jam World Finals – Las Vegas, NV 2013

Event: Monster Jam World Finals Young Guns Shootout
Venue: Sam Boyd Stadium
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Date: March 22nd-23rd, 2013
Photographer: Danny Maass

World Finals Lineup: Avenger – Jim Koehler, Bad Habit – Joe Sylvester, Batman – Norm Miller (Racing) / Carl Van Horn (Freestyle), Blue Thunder – Pablo Huffaker, Bounty Hunter – Jimmy Creten, Captain’s Curse – Alex Blackwell, Captain America – Chad Fortune, El Toro Loco – Marc MacDonald, Grave Digger – Dennis Anderson, Grave Digger The Legend – Adam Anderson, Grinder – John Seasock (Racing) / Lupe Soza (Freestyle), Hot Wheels Firestorm – Scott Buetow, 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 Dalmation – Candace Jolly, Northern Nightmare – Cam McQueen, Scooby Doo – Nicole Johnson, Son Uva Digger – Ryan Anderson, Spiderman – Bari Musawwir, Stone Crusher – Steve Sims, Superman – Jon Zimmer, Zombie – Sean Duhon

Young Guns Shootout Lineup: Bad Habit (Joe Sylvester), Barbarian (Devin Jones), Crushstation (Greg Winchenbach), El Diablo (Jean-Paul Ruggiero), El Toro Loco (Becky McDonough), Hooked (Steven Sims), Iron Man (Morgan Kane), Monster Mutt Dalmation (Taryn Laskey), Nitro Hornet (Daron Basl), Razin Kane (JR McNeal), Titan (Donald Epidendio), Wolverine (Dustin Brown) [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 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…]

Leduc Fastest Qualifier, Musawwir Wins Young Guns Shootout

(Las Vegas, NV – Monster Jam PR) – The Metal Mulisha monster truck, driven by Todd LeDuc, set the fastest qualifying time of the night (16:201) and secured the #1 seed heading into Saturday night’s Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam World Finals℠ presented by NGK Spark Plugs at Las Vegas’ Sam Body Stadium. Bari Musawwir, driving Spider-Man, became the inaugural Young Guns Shootout Champion at tonight’s Double Down.

Todd Leduc made the most of a last minute addition to the World Finals field, laying down the fastest qualifying time of the night.

Metal Mulisha laid down the night’s fastest time in the first qualifying run, and Captain’s Curse®, driven by Pablo Huffaker, matched the Metal Mulisha time in its second run. The eventual pole position went to Metal Mulisha by way of tie-breaker and leads the field into tomorrow night’s 13th-annual Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam World Finals. Monster Energy, driven by Damon Bradshaw, takes third position into Saturday.

Pablo Huffaker is back in Captain's Curse for this year's World Finals, and tied for the top spot in qualifying, losing to Leduc on a tie-breaker.

“The Metal Mulisha truck is so fast,” said LeDuc. “I was hitting all of my marks out there tonight, and I am excited for tomorrow night. I would like to thank Brian Deegan for this opportunity.”

In the first ever Monster Jam World Finals Young Guns Shootout at Friday’s Double Down, Musawwir, and Spider-Man, raced to an impressive win over the Advance Auto Parts Grinder, driven by Nicole Johnson.

“I am living a dream here tonight,” said Spider-Man driver Musawwir. “I want to thank my team and family for helping me get to this point in my career.”

Bari Musawwir is the first ever Young Guns Shootout champion after defeating Nicole Johnson in Grinder in the finals.

Monster Jam World Finals Official Qualifying Times

1) Metal Mulisha – Todd Leduc: 16:201
2) Captain’s Curse – Pablo Huffaker: 16:201
3) Monster Energy – Damon Bradshaw: 16:272
4) Grave Digger The Legend – Adam Anderson: 16:329
5) Team Hot Wheels – Neil Elliott: 16:350
6) Lucas Oil Crusader – Linsey Weenk: 16:425
7) Son-uva Digger – Ryan Anderson: 16:432
8) Maximum Destruction – Tom Meents: 16:481
9) El Toro Loco – Marc MacDonald: 16:648
10) Grinder – John Seasock: 16:724
11) Monster Mutt Dalmatian – Candace Jolly: 16:725
12) Grave Digger – Dennis Anderson: 16:780
13) Bounty Hunter – Jimmy Creten: 16:822
14) Wolverine – Alex Blackwell: 16:893
15) Madusa – Debra Miceli: 16:943
16) Monster Mutt – Charlie Pauken: 16:980
17) Brutus – Chris Bergeron: 17:059
18) Mohawk Warrior – George Balhan: 17:193
19) Northern Nightmare – Cam McQueen: 17:310
20) Iron Man – Lee O’Donnell: 17:505
21) Stone Crusher – Steve Sims: 17:753
22) Avenger – Jim Koehler: 17:717
23) Captain America – Chad Fortune: 18:159
24) Spiderman – Chad Tingler: DNF

Tickets for the 2013 Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam World Finals℠ go on-sale in two weeks. See below for detailed on-sale information.

April 4-9, 2012: Double Down #1 – All fans that purchased 2012 Double Down packages will receive an e-mail to renew their Double Down packages for 2013 starting Wednesday, April 4th. Fans wishing to renew their exact same seats for 2013 must do so by Monday, April 9th.

April 11-16, 2012: Double Down #2 – Double Down fans looking to change or add seats for 2013 may renew their seats from Wednesday, April 11th through Monday, April 16th.

April 18, 2012: General Public On-Sale – Double Down Packages and regular tickets will go on sale to the general public at 1:00pm EST/10:00am PST on Wednesday, April 18, 2012. Double Down packages will only be available online at UNLVTickets.com or call 866-4JAM-TIX. Regular tickets will be available through the Thomas & Mack Center box office, all UNLV Tickets outlets, online at UNLVTickets.com or call 866-4JAM-TIX.

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, Inc. productions include Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, 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 Photos: Monster Jam – St. Louis, MO 2012

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…]

Monster Photos: Monster Jam – St. Louis, MO 2012

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…]

The Allen Report: Monster Jam – Phoenix, AZ 2011

(Coverage By Christopher Allen, Photos By Jim Allen)

Chase Field in downtown Phoenix once again played host to Monster Jam on Saturday, January 29th and it all kicked off as the most famous on-track rivalry in monster truck racing roared out of the tunnel. The most decorated lineup Phoenix has ever seen included Chad Tingler behind the wheel of Grave Digger, Kreg Christensen returning to Maximum Destruction, Madusa in her Phoenix debut, Norm Miller driving Batman, Alex Blackwell in Captain’s Curse, Todd Leduc in Blue Thunder, the “voice of Monster Jam on SPEED” Mark Schroeder in The Felon, all four members of Team Scream and local favorite Rod Wood driving McGruff. Throughout the night, both Norm Miller and Alex Blackwell were announced as Monster Jam World Finals qualifiers.

The style of course for UTI Racing was Southern California, or, so-cal style. The trucks start by racing each other off a large tabletop before turning away from each other, flying down a straightaway, making a u-turn and racing back the way they came. Max D would take the top spot in qualifying with a time of 25 seconds flat, but it proved useless as he fell to Grave Digger in the quarter finals. Also advancing to the semis were Captain’s Curse, Blue Thunder and Avenger as the fastest loser even after a mid-air collision with Madusa back in Round 1. Grave Digger and Blue Thunder were even through most of the finals, but then the slippery track finally bit Tingler and spun him out in the final turn, giving Todd Leduc his first ever racing victory!

For the third consecutive year, the 30 second bonus time rule was in place. Of the first six of the twelve truck field, Blue Thunder was one of only three drivers who could make it to bonus time with a score of 22. Chris Bergeron in Brutus tried to do a back flip of his own off the side of the tabletop, but the wheelie bar caught the dirt and Brutus went belly-up with a full minute left in the run. Avenger nailed cross threads, big air and did not roll until just moments before his time was up. But after falling short of a racing win, Chad Tingler clearly had blood in his eyes and gave the fans a vintage Grave Digger freestyle, never rolling over and flying long after his time was finished. With a score of 26, Grave Digger saw the Phoenix victory lane for the first time since 2008.

After what happened here in 2011, how can the monsters do better still next year?  They will try and we will be there for all of it. Until next time, check out some of Jim Allen’s great photos from the event and thanks for reading!

All content copyright TheMonsterBlog.com 2011.

Monster Photos – Monster Jam – Phoenix, AZ 2011

Event: Monster Jam
Venue: Chase Field
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Date: January 29th, 2011
Photographer: Ross Z. Bonar

Lineup: Avenger (Jim Koehler), Batman (Norm Miller), Blue Thunder (Todd Leduc), Brutus (Chris Bergeron), Captain’s Curse (Alex Blackwell), Grave Digger (Chad Tingler), Madusa (Debra Miceli), Maximum Destruction (Kreg Christensen), McGruff (Rod Wood), Spike (Rich Hilgendorf), The Felon (Mark Schroeder), Wrecking Crew (Steve Koehler) [Read more…]

Monster Photos – Monster Jam – San Diego, CA 2011

Event: Monster Jam
Venue: Qualcomm Stadium
Location: San Diego, California
Date: January 22nd, 2011
Photographer: Susan Clemens Woolley, www.123EventPhotography.com

Lineup: Avenger (Jim Koehler), Batman (Norm Miller), Blue Thunder (Todd Leduc), Brutus (Chris Bergeron), El Toro Loco (Marc MacDonald), Grave Digger (Chad Tingler), Lucas Oil Crusader (Linsey Weenk), Maximum Destruction (Kreg Christensen), Monster Mutt (Joe Miller), Obsessed (Rick Swanson), Obsession (Jeff Jones), Shocker (Pat Gerber), Spike (Rich Hilgendorf), Superman (Chad Fortune), Terminator (Gary Schott), The Felon (Mark Schroeder), Time Flys (Kelvin Ramer), Wrecking Crew (Steve Koehler) [Read more…]