The sky was the limit as Monster Jam rolled into Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona and a beautiful day was unveiled as the retractable roof was rolled back during the Built Ford Tough Party in the Pits. Monster Jam fans turned out in large numbers to greet the 10 Monster Jam drivers and take part in countless activities and giveaways throughout the afternoon. As the sun was setting, it was down to business.

Monster qualifying order was determined in a pre-race draw, which saw Blue Thunder pull the blue #1 chip to earn the right to give the track a shakedown cruise while Scarlet Bandit would be doing the same in the opposite lane. The course was set for Monsters to spring from the line into a quick loop around a pair of turning poles before making a speed run to another U-turn. The trucks crossed the crush cars, maneuvered around the poles and repeated the process, first driver across the cars a second time and past the Ford finish line moved on. The prospect for penalty was high, but the masterful drivers avoided the setbacks on most runs.

Average runs by the lead pair only gave the remaining drivers incentive to lower the qualifying times. Batman and Grave Digger stepped up, each breaking through on the good side of the 30-second barrier with Batman .19 seconds quicker, earning the top spot. It didn’t last as Maximum Destruction lowered the mark even more, then watched as it stood through all challengers. Nine of the trucks qualified as mechanical problems sent Iron Outlaw’s crew scurrying to get the truck race ready.

The first round pitted strong trucks head to head, leading to some preliminary rounds that have looked like finals elsewhere. Bounty Hunter knocked off Bulldozer, Grave Digger, piloted by Dennis Anderson who was making his first Phoenix start, took care of two-time Phoenix winner Scarlet Bandit, Blue Thunder nipped Obsession with a late race charge, Batman took a bite out of McGruff, and Maximum Destruction moved with a bye run. Obsession’s strong effort was rewarded as the truck was recalled for round two as fast loser from round one. The thrill was short lived as Obsession chased Maximum Destruction across the cars, giving a Max D a move to the semis. Grave Digger stayed strong, needing a good effort to defeat Bounty Hunter while Blue Thunder and Batman had a close race until Batman squeezed out the win.

Bounty Hunter returned as round two’s fast loser, gaining a semi-final spot, but it was the unenviable matchup with Maximum Destruction. Maximum Destruction gathered that win, then sat back to see who would join him in the finals. Grave Digger topped Batman in a close contest, so the anticipated Grave Digger/Maximum Destruction final, a familiar sight to Monster Jam watchers, was reality.
With emotion running high for fans of two top-rated trucks, the lights turned green for the final pass. It was too close to call on the first hit, but Maximum Destruction edged out to a slight lead. It was Maximum Destruction first to the Ford finish line, but there was the small matter of a turning pole lying on the ground, sent down after contact with Maximum Destruction. That five-second penalty occurred at the wrong time for the apparent winner, who now had to hear the cheer for his opponent. The win went to Grave Digger and Dennis Anderson was ecstatic, telling the crowd he appreciated their support and he was going to give it his all for the whole evening.

Monster trucks returned to the floor after intermission for the Universal Technical Institute freestyle action. McGruff led off with a run that only coerced a 7 from the tough judges. Obsession hit the track for freestyle and ran over nearly everything in sight. After 60 seconds, the truck landed hard, breaking the left front wheel off. Rick Swanson told the tech staff that checked him out that it’s not over, firing up the truck and launching into a series of cyclones with just three wheels on the truck. The crowd was impressed, but the judges weren’t and the booing started when the 11 was posted as Obsession’s score. Scarlet Bandit waltzed to the floor with the intention of winning and the high-flying leaps wowed the crowd. They were pleased with the judges who gave Bandit a 23 and the lead. Bulldozer’s freestyle produced a series of high speed jumps and an 18 on the scorecards. Batman came to floor with jumps and hard launches from dirt ramps. As his routine was finished, John Seasock went for a series of cyclones only to have the truck topple onto its lid. John walked away from the carnage, dismayed at the 17 it brought from the judges. Iron Outlaw was ready for freestyle and there was no going easy on the truck. Outlaw was strong, but only strong to pull up a point behind teammate Scarlet Bandit. Blue Thunder put some masterful moves in the mix, earning the lead spot with a 24, but Bounty Hunter came out to match the total, giving us co-leaders. With parts and pieces starting to go places they were never intended to go, Maximum Destruction lived up to its name, but the destruction was being done to the truck. The right front fender started bouncing and soon it was obvious why that was happening when the shocks starting poking up through. Sacrificing the machinery seemed to please the judges who edged Maximum Destruction to the lead with a 25. Grave Digger awaited and two near rollovers were cancelled out by the masterful driving of the veteran Anderson. A third save wasn’t possible and down went the truck on its side late in run. The judges showed a score of 22, sending Grave Digger faithful screaming at the results. Neil Elliott, in his winner’s interview, acknowledged Grave Digger’s efforts, saying he didn’t know what the judges were seeing, that it was the better freestyle. Dennis Anderson reminded the crowd that he promised he would do all he could and he never really liked judges anyway. The important part was how the fans liked it and the thunderous applause indicated that the Grave Digger faithful didn’t leave disappointed. Dennis Anderson considered his first trip to Phoenix a roaring success and vowed to come back the next time he could make it.
Monster Jam fans were treated to several types of oval racing including Rhinos, Dwarf Cars, Democross and Trophy Karts. The Trophy Kart events were won by Eric Swanson, son of Obsession driver Rick Swanson.

Monster Jam Results
Qualifying
Maximum Destruction – 29.04
Batman – 29.25
Grave Digger - 29.44
Bounty Hunter – 30.29
Obsession – 32.38
Blue Thunder – 33.15
Bulldozer – 33.78
Scarlet Bandit – 34.56
McGruff – 46.07
Iron Outlaw – No Time

Round 1
Bounty Hunter defeated Bulldozer
Grave Digger beat Scarlet Bandit
Blue Thunder nipped Obsession (advances as fast loser)
Batman topped McGruff
Maximum Destruction advanced (bye run)

Round 2
Maximum Destruction over Obsession
Grave Digger beat Bounty Hunter (advanced as fast loser)
Batman defeated Blue Thunder

Semis
Maximum Destruction stopped Bounty Hunter
Grave Digger topped Batman

Finals
Grave Digger over Maximum Destruction

UTI Freestyle
Maximum Destruction – 25
Blue Thunder – 24
Bounty Hunter – 24
Scarlet Bandit – 23
Iron Outlaw – 22
Grave Digger – 22
Bulldozer – 18
Batman – 17
Obsession -11
McGruff - 7