With Mother Nature playing tricks on the fans and the racers with on again/off again rain during the Built Ford Tough Party In The Pits, it was anybody’s guess as to what the rest of the event was going to be like.  The rain held off, relatively speaking, and the fans in attendance were treated to a special evening. 

The first announcement of the day that was traveling through the monster pits was the recent engagement of Candice Jolly and Neil Elliot.  Neil made a special drive from Phoenix to Los Angeles to surprise Candice with the proposal during a quiet dinner at a popular restaurant.  The entire staff of the NHRA and it’s drivers would like to extend a huge congratulations to the popular couple.  Who knows what might happen at the upcoming Vegas World Finals!? 

Onto the Monster Jam racing.  Competition was a little more aggressive than usual with the sloppy mud and slippery conditions.  Repeatedly, round after round George Belhan and Escalade slid in front of his competitors much like Steve Kinser doing a sprint car slide job.  Whoever was able to get into the final turn first was no doubt going to pull the move and every time it was Belhan.  It Candice Jolly in the semi-finals and Phil Foster in the finals.  In the end it was Belhan and Escalade with the big trophy in racing.

A constant drizzle was coming down all evening but became a little more intense during freestyle.  Working through the first 6 monster trucks, we were treated to a 3 way tie for the lead, all with 24s.  Matt Powers & Shattered, Candice Jolly & Monster Mutt Dalmation, & Frank Krmel and the brand new Donkey Kong were the leaders.  But things were about to get real wild!  George Belhan & Escalade and the final truck of the night, of course, Charlie Paulkin and GraveDigger, true to form absolutely wowed the crowd!  Both drivers scored a 27 with the Judges and it was about to come down to a “cheer off.” But before we could even get both drivers out to the middle of the track, Belhan came running onto the floor carrying the trophy and happily handed it over to Charlie and George himself declared Digger the winner.  In witnessing the sportsmanship and the awesome run by both drivers, the Anaheim audience very happy with his decision. 

Tickets go on sale tonight at midnight for 2009 Monster Jam and I would have to believe that there will be quite a few tickets purchased at 12:01am California time. 
See you next year in Anaheim!