We may be a few weeks removed from the incredible weekend that was Monster Jam NGK Spark Plugs World Finals 9, but the memories from that spectacular event remain vivid, which got me thinking about the magnitude of what the sport’s annual trip to Las Vegas has become, and the amazing moments that have built this event into Monster Jam’s greatest extravaganza. Of course the excitement of WF9 will continue to excite even more fans with the special Monster Jam coverage that will air on CBS April 27th, and then Speed TV’s upcoming expanded broadcast of this year’s championships.
So this has me reminiscing about the most vivid memories that I have, being someone who has been lucky enough to have seen all nine World Finals live. Every time I turn on my television these days it seems like someone is having a list, or a countdown, from “NASCAR’S 25 Greatest Drivers” to “Top One Hit Wonders” to “The Top Five Reasons You Can’t Blame Art Modell for Moving the Cleveland Browns to  Baltimore” and anything else you can think of. Oh, by the way, as a lifelong Cleveland Browns fan, I hate to correct ESPN, but you better believe we can still blame Modell! Anyway, back to the point here. I thought it would be fun to devote this space this week to my personal list of the “Top Ten Moments in World Finals History”.
Again, this is my personal list of the most vivid memories I have from the previous 9 trips to Las Vegas. Not necessarily my favorite moments, but the ones I remember as the most special, the moments that stand out most among nine years of covering the Monster Jam NGK Spark Plugs World Finals. So here is my personal list of the “Top Ten Moments in World Finals History”, ranked in reverse order, building up to number one:

10)          The Tradition Begins – World Finals 1, 2000
We all knew that something special was being created when Monster Jam headed to Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas for the first time to officially crown two World Champions. To no one’s surprise the sport’s biggest superstars, Tom Meents and Dennis Anderson, claimed the first official world titles, establishing the tradition of greatness that has grown each year.

9)            Gunslinger’s Amazing Leap – World Finals 3, 2002
I think this may be the moment it really sunk in, at least for me personally, that we would see things happen at the World Finals that we don’t see anywhere else. Scott Hartsock hit a huge obstacle at a full head of steam and the big Ford flew as high and as far as most of us had ever seen up to that time. Believe me, when Gunslinger landed jaws were dropping all over Sam Boyd Stadium. I know mine dropped.

8)            Jill Canuso Stands Tall – World Finals 2, 2001
The diminutive racer made her only WF appearance one we’ll never forget. While everyone there that night will probably never forget her huge leap in the Wrenchead.com truck that ended the run with a wild crash, landing on the tailgate area, her run start to finish was World Championship caliber and her score was 2nd that night, finishing only behind Meents’ winning total.

7)            Avenger’s Crash Madness Moment - World Finals 7, 2006
Jim Koehler brought out a sweet looking chromed Avenger for the 2006 contests, but he took it home in pieces. Hitting the volcano fountain obstacle at full throttle, the Avenger sailed way up into the air, then began to roll sideways in mid-air before crashing, hard to the ground on its side. I mean really hard. It was not only the Crash of the Year; it was one of the most memorable WF moments ever. Koehler immediately popping out of the truck and running over to do his signature dive into the fountain validates just how phenomenal the safety features are that have been developed for today’s Monster Jam pieces.

6)            John Seasock Defends His Championship – World Finals 9, 2008
I had the pleasure of interviewing Seasock in his World Champion’s throne after he drove Batman to a second straight World Racing Championship, and you could just see all the emotions and feelings on display. The sheer delight of winning his second straight crown, maybe a sense of relief that he had backed up his first title by doing it again, but also a sense of validation, becoming only the second racer ever to successfully defend that championship and firmly establishing his place among the sport’s all-time greats.

5)            Tom Meents and Dennis Anderson Bathing in Champagne - World Finals 7, 2006
After some amazing upsets in the World Finals and new champions being crowned in 2003, 2004, and 2005, all seemed right in the Monster Jam world when the sport’s two biggest guns returned to the top of the mountain, Anderson driving Grave Digger to his second World Racing Championship in three years, and Meents claiming another World Freestyle Championship to extend his record to seven world titles.

4)            The Triple Bus Jump – World Finals 9, 2008
The most awesome freestyle obstacle that the Monster Jam officials and the track construction crew have ever created led to several more memories that I’m sure will stand the test of time and be talked about for years to come. From Chad Tingler opening the competition by completely clearing all three buses in Monster Mutt Dalmatian, to Dawn Creten’s amazing barrel roll in Scarlet Bandit, to Adam Anderson using what was left of the triple for a series of incredible moves that led to his World Freestyle Championship in Taz, the triple provided for some of the most spectacular action I’ve ever seen.

3)            Five Grave Diggers Celebrate Their 25th Anniversary at the Same Time –World Finals 8, 2007
With the architect of the Grave Digger phenomenon in the stands with the biggest smile in the world on his face, Dennis Anderson celebrated the culmination of his 25th year in the Grave Digger by watching five of his teammates bring their trucks on to the track at the same time for an unprecedented five truck freestyle encore that was truly breathtaking. Simply put, we’ve never seen anything like that before or since, and I think the fans set a record for pictures taken as the constant flash bulbs going off during the special tribute lit up the Vegas night.

2)            Maximum Destruction Leaps Over Maximum Destruction – World Finals 7, 2006
Even though Meents had jumped over a team truck before, I have to admit, he fooled both Ken Stout and I on this one. As we were calling the action live we watched Max-D roll onto the track, up and into the fountain, and stop. We both thought the truck was broken and Meents’ pursuit of another championship was over before it started. That was, until we saw a person crawl out of the parked truck and realized that it was not Tom, but it was Neil Elliott who drove his Maximum Destruction out to be used as an additional obstacle. Tom started the run by exploding over his teammate’s truck and went on to burn the house down again, and he took home world title number seven with the performance.

1)            Dennis Anderson Wins His First World Racing Championship – World Finals 5, 2004
To this day, the most emotional, unforgettable moment in the history of this sport. It’s almost hard to believe, looking back, that Grave Digger winning was a stunner, but this was an upset. Anderson had been so snake bit in Las Vegas during the first four racing championships that most people looked at the race bracket and again didn’t give Anderson much of a chance. I mean up until 2004 Anderson had never advanced past the second round at the World Finals racing competition. But in a testament to his incredible drive and desire, Anderson overcame those years of frustration to claim his first World Racing Championship. More than the performance though, it was Dennis’ tearful words to the screaming crowd and the celebration on the track with his sons and his crew that make this Monster Jam’s biggest goose bump moment ever, the most memorable race and the most unforgettable interview in the sport’s history.

So there you have my top ten. The great thing is that virtually every fan and competitor probably agrees with some of my list while having moments different from these that they would include in their own top ten. And that is what the Monster Jam NGK Spark Plugs World Finals has become. More than the crowning of the new champions, it has become the event where memories are made that will last a lifetime.