Weekend Race Recap
Long Island N.Y. Nassau Coliseum
By: Joe Lowe
The first time Dennis Anderson drove his monster truck in The Nassau Coliseum was 1986. In 2008, he continues to thrill fans old and new. Anderson is a bit older and wiser now but his driving style it still nothing but seat of your pants excitement. Perhaps that is why at 4pm long before the doors opened the younger drivers were standing around the Old General hoping to get a few driving tips.
Anderson may have given some advice to the new guys but when showtime came and he mounted up in the new version of the black and green wrecking machine it was clear he had not given away all his secrets.
Grave Digger dominated all four events that made up Monster Jam Friday night. Some said if the truck could have come out for Freestyle Motocross he would have tried for that crown too.
Digger’s domination began early with a win in the wheelie contest followed by a race win in the finals against Rick Raab in American Guardian. In the second half Anderson earned the top score of 26 in the newly named cyclone contest before scoring a perfect 30 in the Monster Freestyle Competition. As much as it seems it was nothing but Dennis Anderson and Grave Digger he had some solid competition and there were some upsets. The Broker driven by Lou Antonazi won his first round in racing but blew a tire and destroyed the front end forcing the truck to drop out for the night. Paul Cowen rocked aboard El Toro Loco coming in second in wheelie, cyclone and freestyle. Lindsey Weenk gets better and better aboard Blue Thunder and Mike Wine turned in some great runs driving Monster Mutt.
It is easy to see the real winners were the fans for this Monster Jam.
The night also featured XSBA and Freestyle Motocross. FMX riders included Justin Hicks, Tim Boca and Garry Robertson.
Results:
Truck wheelie cyclone freestyle
Broker 20 broke broke
Anger Management 18 did not compete 16
American Guardian 21 did not compete 20
Monster Mutt 21 21 22
Suzuki 22 19 18
El Toro Loco 24 25 25
Blue Thunder 22 20 24
Grave Digger 25 26 30
Racing saw some very interesting results:
Round One:
Broker over Suzuki
American Guardian beat El Toro Loco
Grave Digger defeated Anger Management
Monster Mutt downed Blue Thunder
Semi Finals:
Broker could not continue American Guardian defeated Suzuki
Grave Digger beat out Monster Mutt
Final
Grave Digger won over American Guardian
Drivers signed autographs till way after the event ended. This was one of four big Monster Jam events to be at the Coliseum this weekend. Showtimes are 2pm Sat, 7:30 Sat Night and 2pm Sunday. If you are in the Long Island or New York area be sure to come out to one of the remaining events.
Saturday - 2pm results:
Don't let anybody tell you non-dirt events are not hard to do. Dennis Anderson will attest to the kind of beating Monster Jam drivers take when the big trucks hit cars broadside and race with NO ramp landing on rock hard concrete. As one competitor said "It's like going back to the early days of Evil Knevil. He was right. For the second of four events at the famed Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale New York the trucks were beginning to show some wear and tear from the hard fought matches. El Toro Loco had problems during the event opening and blew a motor. He was out for the rest of the event. Blue Thunder and Linsey Weenk began strong but broke in racing forcing him out for the rest of the afternoon. Rick Raab's American Guardian truck the Friday night race finalist also had problems after falling to Grave Digger in the semi finals of racing. Mike Wine rolled Monster Mutt causing some body damage but nothing else in freestyle.
Results speak for themselves.
Truck Wheelie Cyclone Freestyle
Broker 22 25 21
Anger Management 22 dnc 19
American Guardian 27 (tied with Digger) dnc dnc
Monster Mutt 21 26 (won silent judge) 25
Suzuki 24 23 29
El Toro Loco dnc 26 broke
Blue Thunder 26 broke broke
Grave Digger 27 (won silent judge) 25 30
Race Results:
Round One:
Blue Thunder beat The Broker
American Guardian bye run
Monster Mutt over Anger Management
Grave Digger downed Suzuki
Semi-Finals
Blue Thunder over American Guardian
Grave Digger beat Monster Mutt
Final:
Grave Digger over Blue Thunder
As the event ended it was clear to team crewmember they would have to work hard to be ready for the second event of the day at 7:30pm. El Toro Loco, Blue Thunder, American Guardian, and Team Suzuki all needed attention before they were race ready.
Nassau Coliseum Uniondale N.Y. Saturday Night Results
By: Joe Lowe
While the carnage from the afternoon event was not forgotten for the most part it was repaired by 7:30 Saturday night as a new Monster Jam began. The lone causality from the afternoon was El Toro Loco, after dropping a couple of rods in the afternoon could not get the power plant repaired in time and was forced to sit this one out.
The American Guardian team worked until intro time to get the truck ready for competition. Monster Jam officials tested the truck during the opening ceremonies to insure Rick Raabs Guardian was in compliance with all safety requirements. Others who came back from earlier problems included Lee O'donnell in Suzuki, Mike Wines Monster Mutt With everyone ready it was time for more carnage. A strong showing by O’Donnell in Suzuki brought fans to their feet. It looked like he was going to win the wheelie contest until Dennis Anderson laid down on Grave Digger to earn the first perfect 30 of the afternoon.
In the cyclone contest Lou Antonazi in the Broker began the competition with an impressive showing but was outdone by Monster Mutt and Grave Digger. Their cyclones were incredible but the "silent Judge" broke the tie giving Mutt an 8 and Grave Digger a 9. Chalk up two wins for Grave Digger. Anderson rolled Digger in the competition but it didn’t faze Dennis. "I am ok but I just put a new body on the truck and it upsets me that we damaged the paint job. We also have two rims that are bent due to the hard landings on this concrete," he said during one interview. "This stuff is hard and not as forgiving as dirt", he continued.
Great return efforts on the part of Linsey Weenk in Blue Thunder and a surprise performance from Mike Wine in Monster Mutt let to a standing crowd cheering the Monster Jam drivers on. Rookie Aaron Cromer faced Grave Digger in the race final with his Anger Management truck. After losing to Anderson, Cromer came up to congratulate the seasoned veteran only to get a giant bear hug and words of encouragement from the Digger Daddy.
XSBA and FMX again thrilled fans bringing them to their feet many times with their extreme action on the floor and in the air.
Results:
Truck wheelie cyclone freestyle
Broker 18 18 23
Anger Management 20 DNC 20
American Guardian 23 DNC DNC
Monster Mutt 24 30 26
Suzuki 25 16 24
Blue Thunder 22 21 26
Grave Digger 30 30 (won silent judge ) 30
Several trucks needed attention as the event drew to a close. Grave Digger with wheel problems, American Guardian with a blower malfunction and the pesky power problem in Suzuki all were being worked in by crews as the night turned into early morning. Everyone needs to be ready for the big 2pm event Sunday. Several drivers will also volunteer to be at the Boy Scout Go Kart derby Sunday morning.
Digger Dominates Uniondale Long Island, New York
By: Joe Lowe
While Dennis Anderson drove Grave Digger to a fourth and final win in both racing and Freestyle in the Nassau Coliseum it was not as easy as it seems. The field of trucks for Monster Jam in Uniondale was incredible. The local trucks Broker, Anger Management, and American Guardian were all loaded for bear and brought their A game to go against TV favorites Monster Mutt, Blue Thunder, and Grave Digger. They did not make it easy. American Guardian and driver Rick Raab again raced into the finals against Digger. He tied with Mike Wine's Monster Mutt in Freestyle and came in second along with Linsey Weenk in Blue Thunder for the wheelie contest. "Seems I spend a lot of time being a bridesmaid but never the bride", said Raab after the event. Still the truck and driver are top notch and showed Monster Jam fans why.
Another bit surprise was how well The Broker driver by Lou Antonazi did. He had some problems early in the weekend but things smoothed out fast and Saturday and Sunday events gave the truck and driver some well deserved respect.
The highlight of the event was Grave Diggers Freestyle. In the first 30 seconds the high jumping, quick turning Digger blew a rear tire. Dennis Anderson continued for the next 30 seconds on three wheels demonstrating again why he is such a legendary driver.
Lee O’Donnell continued to run strong aboard Team Suzuki. He gets better and better and with friends and family in the stands he looked very, very strong. But it was Dennis Anderson that ruled the weekend with Grave Digger.
The FMX riders brought fans to their feet with the high flying action they are known for. Superman seat grabs, strippers and cliff hangers were just some of the tricks fans were treated to by the riders. Justin Hicks, Tim Boca, and Garry Robertson made it look easy but assured the fans it takes years of practice and skill to become a FMX competitor.
The Sunday afternoon also featured the Cub/Boy Scout soap box derby finals. Early Sunday morning more that 40 teams came out to qualify for the race finals during intermission of Monster Jam. With Dennis Anderson with the starters flag and Lee O’Donnell at the finish everyone had their turn against the clock.
Results:
Truck Wheelie Cyclone Freestyle
Broker 23 19 22
Anger Management 23 DNC 21
American Guardian 26 DNC 27
Monster Mutt 25 25 27
Suzuki 23 26 24
Blue Thunder 26 22 21
Grave Digger 29 30 30
Race Results:
Round One:
Suzuki over Monster Mutt
Blue Thunder beat Broker
American Guardian over Anger Management
Grave Digger bye run
Round Two:
American Guardian downed Blue Thunder
Grave Digger beat Suzuki
Final:
Grave Digger defeated American Guardian
As this report is being written drivers are still in an autograph session with Monster Jam fans. The Long Island Monster Jam experience is one that must be lived to be understood. These are perhaps the most faithful fans in the world bringing generation after generation to see the greatest trucks on the planet.
