Here's the scene: it's a little before the drivers meeting is set to start, Friday afternoon, inside Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky. There's a group in front of Grave Digger including Adam Anderson, Frank Krmel, Alex Blackwell, and others, all listening to Gary Porter and Dave Wieczorek reliving a night in that same building during the early days of the sport more than 20 years ago.
On that night back in 1988 in front of a sold out crowd Porter brought his Carolina Crusher to the Derby City for racing competition against that day's best, including his friend and rival, Adam's father, Dennis Anderson and his Grave Digger as well as Wieczorek's Night Life truck. It was those early racing events in places like Freedom Hall that paved the way for today's mega Monster Jam events and the young guns of the sport were clearly enjoying this old school session hosted by Porter and Wieczorek.
It's awesome that so many of the new stars who will take this industry into the future have such great respect for those who paved the roads that they travel these days. Adam, Frank, and Alex are three of the best examples of that attitude. They can't seem to hear enough stories from Monster Jam's formative years. They love watching videos from decades ago and enjoy every story that the veterans share. They also have a sincere appreciation for what those trail blazers went through and accomplished that advanced monsters from a car crushing novelty to the high tech competitions that we all now enjoy throughout the year.
Already a World Champion and not even close to turning 25 years old, Adam Anderson grew up in the sport as his Dad built the most popular team on the planet. Some in his position would be candidates for Egos Gone Wild, but not Adam. Rather than expect things to be handed to him because of his famous last name Adam has worked his way to the top with long hours in the shop as well as on the track.
Krmel grew up as a big fan of the sport, Blackwell came in from other motor sports, and both have grabbed every opportunity to get into the business and move up the ladder, and both have soaked up every tip and piece of advice offered by the experienced drivers that they compete with. Their attitudes and talent are certainly reaping dividends. Blackwell drove his Captain's Curse to the runner-up spot at this years racing portion of the World Finals while Krmel has just gained one of the most coveted rides in the sport as the newest driver on Ford's Blue Thunder team.
As much as I personally appreciate the way this new generation of superstar honors the sport's history and traditions it is even a greater thrill to see a guy like Porter, still competing at an elite level, so excited about still being in the game as this new generation enters. With his daughter, a part of his Grave Digger crew in Louisville, giving him a big hug in celebration of his Friday night freestyle win Porter talked at length to the crowd during the winner's interview about how much it means to him to be driving, approaching his 25th year in a monster truck, as the new blood moves in. Along with the pleasure of having his daughter involved Porter went on to tell the Louisville fans just how special it was to battle against the talented Adam Anderson on the same floor where he squared off against Dennis Anderson way back in 1988.
It's a mutual admiration that bodes well for the future of Monster Jam for sure and it's great to see that those carrying the sport forward to even greater heights will always respect and honor the sport's heritage. More than that, though, it is fantastic to see how much it means to Gary Porter as well as his old buddy Dennis Anderson and others from the old school to be able to still compete at the top level while their children move into the sport. It let's us all know that the future of the sport that they helped build is being put in great hands for another generation.
