Some look at monster truck racing and think of the groups of people with lift kits on a Ford F/250 that they take out to the local popular mudding spot. The United States Hot Rod Association (USHRA) has taken the sport to a new level. Featuring a tour that travels the United States (mostly from January to March leading up to the World Finals), the USHRA Monster Jam Series has fans buzzing all around the land of the free.
The Monster Jam World Finals will take place as always in the blazing Sam Boyd Stadium, home to the UNLV Rebels Football Team. Throughout the week, the horseshoe shaped stadium is transformed from a College Football field into a dirt covered monster truck stadium. By Thursday, 32 of the 1,000 pound, 1500 horsepower beasts will fill the pits.
During the three day event, (Thursday – Saturday) the drivers compete in three featured events, and some four, but we will get to that in a little while. Thursday brings Qualifying for the 32 Truck Racing Bracket, however only 31 trucks are guaranteed a spot in the World Finals. The last spot goes to the winner of the Young Guns Shootout: a 16 driver racing bracket comprised of first and second year drivers.
2014 Young Guns Shootout Trucks and Drivers
Monster Energy – Coty Saucier, Mohawk Warrior – BJ Johnson, Hooked – Steven Sims, Xtermigator – JR McNeal, New Earth Authority – Colt Stephens, Madusa – Briana Mahon, El Toro Loco – Becky McDonough, Double Trouble – Travis Groth, El Diablo – JP Ruggiero, Dragon – Scott Liddycoat, Heavy Hitter – Derek Anson, Scooby Doo – Bailey Shea, Blue Thunder – Dalton Millican, Monster Mutt Dalmation – Cynthia Gauthier, The Patriot – Andrew Peckham, Hurricane Force – Steven Thompson
Coty Saucier will be the one taking the final spot in the main event after he ran sub 17.000 times round after round in the Young Guns Shootout. Although Saucier isn’t using a special paint scheme, he is using a new body to differentiate his teammate Damon Bradshaw’s truck. At the world finals, it’s somewhat of a tradition to use one. Here is Sauciers truck:
Young Guns Shootout Champion @coty_saucier and teammate @damonbradshaw45 just unveiled Co… http://t.co/fv6oCnme4t pic.twitter.com/MISDYMNtaK
— Monster Jam (@MonsterJam) March 27, 2015
Another driver they call Mr. Excitement has brought yet another smooth looking scheme. Here is 2003 and 2011 Freestyle champion, Jim Koehler’s Avenger for the world finals:
@Avengerrules201 pic.twitter.com/lldjcSiPd6
— Monster Jam (@MonsterJam) March 27, 2015
And of course, who could forget the two most famous trucks in the sport: Team Max D and Team Grave Digger. Each truck put three drivers in the Finals this year, which brought out even more unique looks.
Team Max D’s Tom Meents will use his regular scheme, while Monster Jam’s version of young gun of the year, Morgan Kane, will feature this gold truck.
@korganmane is rolling in solid gold for his first time competing in the main field of #MJWorldFinals XVI! #MaxD pic.twitter.com/qpvaUbaPfw
— Monster Jam (@MonsterJam) March 26, 2015
The other Max D driver, Neil Elliot, will use a red scheme.
Surprise #2! Championship series winner Neil Elliott unveils HIS new candy apple red Max-D for #MJWorldFinals XVI! pic.twitter.com/N1bYDsd1gW
— Monster Jam (@MonsterJam) March 26, 2015
On the Grave Digger side, the team stuck with their colors a little bit more, Dennis Anderson will use his black based scheme, Charlie Pauken’s will have a green base, and rookie Colton Eichelberger will take a purple scheme.
On this day in Monster Jam history: Dennis Anderson was the fastest racing qualifier in the 2011 #MJWorldFinals pic.twitter.com/jmrTvzETzJ
— Monster Jam (@MonsterJam) March 26, 2015
We're not done yet! Check out Charlie Pauken's brand new GREEN Grave Digger unveiled at #MJWorldFinals XVI! pic.twitter.com/hg4uviRsRN
— Monster Jam (@MonsterJam) March 26, 2015
Chuckie's big, mean, green machine! #GraveDigger #brandnewbody #MJWorldFinals pic.twitter.com/7dhnzRC0bX
— Monster Jam (@MonsterJam) March 26, 2015
This all ties in to one event, one flamboyant competition, and one spectacular weekend in Monster Jam.
