Fantastic weather, a beautiful southern California location, and the much anticipated return of the multi-time world champion GaveDigger & Dennis Anderson guaranteed an Angel Stadium sell-out. The 40,000+ Monster Jam fans in attendance tonight were obviously excited to have the gang from the USHRA in town and to top it all off was Dennis Anderson's return after nearly a 20 year absence. The icon behind the wheel of the 10,000 pound monster sure didn't disappoint.

It all started right out of the box in qualifying. Dennis, the master at reading a track's layout and the night's dirt/moisture content, set fast time and by doing so out distanced everyone by more than a full second. It seemed as if it was just another day in the office for the 26 year veteran as he swept his way all the way to the finals. His competition in the championship round, Tony Farrell and Blue Thunder, didn't quite have the easy route getting there. Tony actually made it back into the winner's bracket as the fast loser in the semi finals. It didn't really matter though, Tony and Blue Thunder were in the finals. The striking contrast that wasn't in Tony's favor, was that Blue Thunder's qualifying time was a full 4 seconds slower than Grave Digger's! All the pre-race predictions had it as a run away for Dennis & Digger. Tony Farrell was anything but intimidated. After all, this wasn't his first "rodeo" going up against Dennis and his monster, but there is only so much you can do when you go up against the "legend." As the two 1,500 HP gladiators crossed the Built Ford Tough Finish Line, it was an easily measured win for Dennis Anderson & Grave Digger .

Being that we are in southern California, the home of freestyle motocross, the Monster Jam fans were definitely ready for the 4 wheeled version. Well, as the 12 monsters and their drivers were getting tuned for their 90 second free-for-all, all eyes were checking out the obstacles. 2 different van stacks that were sitting on a 6' high dirt pad, multiple car stacks around the layout, and 1 HUGE double jump in the center of the floor that had a measured 70' gap and was nearly 25' high had even Dennis Anderson swallowing hard. The first driver to come out was George Balhan and his Escalade. As if in defiance and subconsciously telling his competitors "ya gotta beat me boys," Balhan and Escalade nailed every obstacle in deliberate and violent fashion. Being the first driver may have hurt his chances for a better score, but the judges were not buying into it. A very upset Balhan had a few choice words for the judges when he realized they gave him a score of 16, all this while nearly all 40,000 Monster Jam fans were in a chorus of boos at the judges decision. About midway through the freestyle contest, it was Bobby Parr and the Team Suzuki/Makita Chevrolet with 23 points and the lead. That advantage lasted for 3 more drivers, that was until Tony Farrell and Blue Thunder hit the floor. At the end of their 90 second run, they earned the lead and a score of 24. Again, more upset fans at the judges as they thought he had earned a higher score. 2 more drivers were set to hit the track, Neil Elliot & Maximum Destruction and of course Dennis Anderson & Grave Digger.

Before I let you know what took place on the last 2 runs, I must tell you that tonight's freestyle contest by every one of the monster truck drivers was easily at a "World Finals" level. With that being said, trying to describe what Neil Elliot was able to do with the monstrous Max-D was incredible to witness. Huge air, astounding saves, wild "patented" jumps and on one pass that went right up to the front bumper of Digger, a little wink from Neil right into the eyes of Dennis Anderson. As time ran out, a screaming and appreciative crowd helped the judges award Max-D with a lead taking 28. The door was left open. With one truck remaining, an anxious capacity crowd was holding their breath. What was Dennis & Digger going to do? As much as the crowd and Dennis were hoping to "double down" with 2 wins tonight, it wasn't going to happen. Digger wasn't able to run the whole 90 seconds and rolled before the clock ran out. As much as everyone wanted to see that illustrious perfect "30," it wasn't going to be handed out tonight. The judges really had no choice but to give Dennis & Digger a deserved 26. A very popular win went to Neil Elliot & Maximum Destruction. A wild finish to a historic evening and Dennis Anderson told his fans not to worry, it WON'T be another 15+ years before he comes back to southern California.