Celebrating 30 years of action packed fun, Monster Jam ROARED into NRG Arena in Houston, Texas Saturday night for a fun-filled evening for family and kids of all ages. The monstrous trucks were in town January 29, February 5, and February 6 to compete for spots in the 2022 World Championships, which will be held in Orlando, Florida May 2022.
The pre-show Pitt Party let fans get up close with their favorite trucks and chat with the drivers of each vehicle. Younger fans had the chance to drive in mini-Grave Digger trucks, and others could get their hair styled, create signs, or even build their own monster trucks to help them get pumped up for the competition.
The Rod Ryan Show truck, in honor of 94.5 the Buzz’s long-time morning show, catches air during one of the race runs. In Round 1 of the races, The Rod Ryan Truck defeated Vendetta but was beat by Zombie in Round 2. The local favorite did well in the Freestyle competition and received a 6.66 in the skills competition.
Rod Ryan and the morning show crew, Tessa, Alex, and Chile, were found hanging out at the Pit Party with team driver Preston Perez, greeting fans and posing for pictures.
“Monster Jam drivers are trained, world-class athletes who have mastered not only the physical and mental stamina needed to compete, but the vital dexterity to control 12,000-pound machines capable of doing backflips, vertical two-wheel skills and racing at speeds up to 70 miles-per-hour to produce jaw-dropping, live motorsports action seen around the world.” – Monster Jam Official Site
Kayla Blood, driver of Soldier Fortune, was the first athlete of the night to do a backflip during the freestyle round. She had the audience on their feet! After she completed her run she exited her truck and did a few backflips herself for the roaring audience.
Fan Favorite , Grave Digger, is celebrating it’s 40th birthday this year! Tyler Menninga drove the well-known truck for the team in Houston, TX.
Monster Mutt was Top Dog for the night. During the Pitt-Party we had a chance to chat with driver Charlie Pauken, he told us that he was driving the original, 19 year old, Monster Mutt Truck that night, but he had taught the old dog some new tricks. He didn’t disappoint when he pulled off an impressive double backflip that won him the freestyle round.
Ryan Anderson, son of Grave Digger creator Dennis Anderson, is towed away in his truck, Son-uva Digger, after experiencing some technical difficulties. After defeating Monster Mutt to win the racing portion, and winning the Skills Challenge portion of the competition, the Grave Digger team worked diligently behind the scenes to repair Son-uva Digger, getting Anderson and his truck, stripped down to it’s frame, out on the course just in time to compete in the freestyle competition.
Photos and media from this event were captured by Kory Savage on behalf of Space City Frequency.
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