The fans in Tallahassee had no idea what they were about to see in tonight’s monster truck competitions. It all started with the Wheelie contest. Inferno, Bad News and Bulldozer put up some strong numbers early until Monster Patrol cranked out a strong 27 point run. It looked like Monster Patrol had it wrapped up but "Air Man" Dan Evans would have none of it when he pointed his truck Destroyer straight towards the ceiling of the Leon County Civic Center. A perfect 30 score is what it took to win the Wheelie contest tonight.

Next up was the Doughnut contest. Inferno and Destroyer lead it off with solids runs but then it was Monster Patrol uncorking a strong 25 point run. Not to be outdone, Jason Childress and Bulldozer heads out and flips his truck on its lid much to the surprise of the capacity crowd. Bad News ripped off a great run and both trucks were scored at 28 points each. This left it up to the very excited crowd to choose a winner by applause. Bruce Haney and Bad News get the win.

Quad Wars got kicked off with some definite tension between the teams. Team California manages to win the first round with a very aggressive move on the Captain of Team Tallahassee, putting him into the hay bales on the last lap. In the second round Team Tallahassee roared back with a dominant performance in Round Two. This led to a confrontation between team captains that had to be stopped by track officials. This set up a tense final round which would see the captain of Team California jump the start and get sent to the back of the field. When he protested and got out of line with Flagman Jay Shaver he was ejected from the race. Team Tallahassee had a strong start and looked to have it in the bag until the California Team Captain illegally reentered the track. Not to worry though. Team Tallahassee had the crowd on its side and held on to take the win!

The Mini Hot Rods took to the track highly motivated to show what they could do. These quarter midget racers ranged in age from 7 to 12 years old but some of them have been racing for 5years!

12 year old Matt Mcgilvray used his experience to his advantage to take home the gold. The 11 year old Mandy Sullivant (yes a girl!) held on for a solid second place beating three of the guys!

By virtue of winning the Freestyle event, Dan Evans and Destroyer got a bye run in the first round of eliminations. After a last minute effort by the Bulldozer crew, they were able to get the truck ready just in time for Drag Racing. Bad News went up against Fletcher Lewis and Inferno with Bad News getting the win. Up next was Monster Patrol taking on the just repaired Bull Dozer with Monster Patrol advancing to the next round. Bull Dozer advanced as well by coming back as fast loser and took on Destroyer. It wasn’t meant to be as Destroyer ended the night for Bull Dozer. Bad News took on the Monster Patrol in a very close race but Bad News gets the win and moves on to face Destroyer in the final Round. Capping off a great night was Destroyer with yet another win for an almost perfect 3 out of 4 wins for the night! Dan Evans came to Tallahassee ready to rock and it paid off for the Destroyer truck.

All in all a great night of racing and fun had by all. Now let’s see if it’s possible to top tonight’s event with another great one on Saturday.

Saturday got off to a rolling start with the official Thunder Nationals Pit Party. We had lots of fans come down to say hello and check out the machines that would be doing battle later that night. Everyone got plenty of pictures and autographs to remember us by.

The Tallahassee RC Club came in to show what they could do. Things really got interesting when they brought out a Ramp! Those Mini-Monster Trucks can really fly!

Speaking of flying, some of our Monster Truck drivers should apply for their Pilots license. Inferno and Destroyer set the bar with scores of 24 and 25 respectively. Bad News goes on to top them with a high altitude 28. The newly repaired Bull Dozer ( he flipped last night) goes out and romps off a perfect 30 point run breaking off one of the horns in the process. Just when you though Bull Dozer had it in the bag, Rookie driver Chris Laboskie stepped up and almost flipped Monster Patrol over backwards bringing the crowd to their feet. This led to a cheer off to decide the winner. The crowd loved Jason Childress and the Bull Dozer but they went nuts for our Wheelie Contest winner, Chris Laboskie and Monster Patrol!

Quad Wars was a real barn burner as Team California dominated in the first 2 rounds of action. But it was not meant to be as the Team Tallahassee riders rallied back in the final round. A last lap pile up involving the 2 team Captains turned ugly but one of the Team Tallahassee riders saw an opening and went for it! Team Tallahassee is your winner!

The Doughnut contest was close as usual. "Air Man" Dan Evans did not make the call as he was repairing damage from the Wheelie Contest. Fletcher Lewis started of with a solid run that was answered with a 23 by the Monster Patrol. Bruce Haney and Bad News then ripped up the track with a scorching 30 point run. All eyes were on the now one-horned Bull Dozer. People were expecting something big and Jason Childress delivered with a run that should have been scored a 31 if it was possible. A cheer off followed and the crowd called it for Jason Childress and Bull Dozer!

Up next we saw the Mini Hot Rods. The drivers ranged in age from 15 down to 6 years old! Most of these youngsters had never appeared in an Arena before so tensions were high. 12 competitors took to the track with lots of bumpin and bangin going on. In the end 15 year old Brittany Frosh scored the victory! Let’s hear it for girl power!

Monster Freestyle got off to a roaring start with a solid 18 point score from Fletcher Lewis and Inferno. Monster Patrol had a starter problem and couldn’t make it for his run so Bruce Haney and Bad News stepped it up a notch with a rompin 23 point run. Bull Dozer and Jason Childress cut it loose with solid 28 point score. After a last minute thrash, Dan Evans and Destroyer took to the track and blew the roof off the Leon County Civic Center with a perfect 30 points! Two nights and two Monster Freestyle wins!

This led to a bye run in the first round of Eliminations for Destroyer. Bruce Haney and Bad News had lane choice against Fletcher Lewis and Inferno with Bad News getting the win. Next up was the rookie driver Chris Laboskie and the Monster Patrol against Jason Childress and Bull Dozer with Dozer having lane choice. It was a photo finish with Bull Dozer getting the win to advance. In Semi-Final action, Inferno came back as the Fast Loser for a shot at Destroyer but Dan Evans was on the gas and got the win to advance to the Final. Bad News and Bull Dozer did battle with Bull Dozer making it to the Final.

This led to Bull Dozer vs. Destroyer for the Main Event. Both drivers pulled out all the stops and when the smoke cleared it was Jason Childress and Bull Dozer for the Win!

The fans in Tallahassee went home spent and happy and looking forward to next year! Thanks for tuning in fans and we’ll catch up to ya next week!