MONSTERJAMONLINE

Weekend Race Recap

Friday: If the fans of Baxter TN, thought the weather was HOT, They were SMOKIN after tonight’s event. With the thermometer hovering around the 3 digit mark fans were still packing the seats at Tennessee Motor Speedway. In quad wars, Team Tennessee BARELY and I mean barely took the win when the captain of Team Florida spun within 10 feet of the finish line. A special treat the fans here tonight, Mike West and his 10,000 HP jet jeep “The American Thunder” MORE than heated things up out on the track. The race track owner was seen tonight watching with a stop watch. Something was said about NOT being too far off the track record. HHMMMMM, Mike, are you listening? Two more shows, two more shots at the record! In monster truck competition, Carl Van Horn keeps getting better and better, “if that’s possible.” Behind the wheel of Gravedigger, Carl absolutely STOMPED the entire field in competition after competition. Carl and Digger won the wheelie contest. The “Chicago style circle course” racing, and then to almost kick dirt in the face of the rest of the field, KILLED them by scoring a perfect (30) in freestyle. The only driver to even come close to a 30. Look out Baxter TN, Gravedigger is in town for 2 more shows.

Saturday:
(Siiiiiiiiiiigh!), WOW! It is truly a blast to be in front of “knowledgeable” race fans with the enthusiasm that really seemed to ignite the drivers tonight. With a huge sell-out crowd on hand, it was the perfect opportunity for the local driver to shine, and he didn’t disappoint. Of course I am talking about Bristol, Tennessee’s Randy Moore and his monster truck, War Wizard. No doubt all eyes were on Carl Van Horn and Gravedigger, but being from Tennessee, Randy made some new fans for himself and his team. Randy hung it all out in every event as he went up against the likes of Chad Tingler and his Safe Auto “Minimizer” Ford, Andy Slifko and the Eradicator Dodge and Dale Mitchell and the big cat Predator. The War Wizard and his driver started off by winning the wheelie contest and was also 2nd in qualifying. The “WIZ” came up against the fast qualifier tonight in the finals and took out Digger for his first ever finals win! Later in the night, Digger and Carl Van Horn got back a little revenge by scoring ANOTHER perfect 30 and the win. In quad wars, it came down to the captain’s challenge with team Florida eating a WHOLE lot of crow, and team Tennessee and captain Kyle Farley taking the win rather easily. I will have to say this, once again tonight, Mike West and his “American Thunder” jet jeep wowed the crowd. Beforehand it was heard that Mike wouldn’t go for a few hot laps due to uncertain track conditions. WELLLLLLL, true to American Thunder form, Mike strapped on the helmet, the crowd was very much into the moment and Mike went CRAZY! He is always a fun individual to interview afterwards. Two more are now in the books with one more event tomorrow afternoon. Come on Tennessee monster fans, see you at 2 o’clock tomorrow afternoon at the Tennessee Motor Speedway.

Sunday:
In one of the hottest days to date this summer, a nice crowd braved the sun and heat to witness monster truck action “Tennessee style.” Carl Van Horn and Gravedigger had the audience wanting more every time they hit the track. Carl and his monster swept through all 3 elements, with freestyle ending up in a tie with Chad Tingler and the Safe Auto “Minimizer.” In quad wars racing, team Florida swept through the first 2 heats with easy wins. When it came down to the finals, team Tennessee played the quad wars rule book to a “T.” The captain of Tennessee with his race quad down on power was just fast enough to barely stay in front of the Florida challenger as his Tennessee teammate ran away for the win. Blocking in every corner where he could, making his 4 wheeler as wide as possible. To say that the win was a popular one is putting it MILDLY. Once again Mike West and the American Thunder Jet Jeep warmed up the crowd, if they weren’t already HOT from the sun they sure were after “Westy” and his military issue jet engine popped a few HUGE flames out the back. All in all it was a great weekend of monsters, quads, jet jeeps, and Tennessee fans. From all of us here at Clear Channel and the USHRA, we want to thank you for your southern hospitality and hope to see you all again somewhere soon at another motor sporting event.