As we continue to enjoy the amazing worldwide growth and popularity of Monster Jam, and as so many new fans begin to enjoy the awesome events that make up today’s Monster Jam circuit, you can argue that no state in this country boasts a greater Monster Jam tradition or more loyal, fervent fans than the state of Florida.

Just look at the results so far in 2008. The winter circuit was incredible. Monster Jam events in Tampa, Orlando, Miami, and Jacksonville were all sell outs, more than 50,000 fans packing each stadium in those cities, and again this year, the sport’s superstars responded with memorable performances that will keep the fans coming back for years to come. Here we are more than six months away from the 2009 renewal of those stadium events and tens of thousands of tickets have already been sold for next year in Raymond James Stadium, the Citrus Bowl, Dolphin Stadium, and Jacksonville Stadium. The home of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars actually boasts the sport’s largest fan capacity these days with well over 70,000 fans now packing that north Florida venue for Monster Jam each winter.

While the big stadiums have the highest profiles, it’s Monster Jam’s continued success in smaller venues throughout the year that further makes the Sunshine State’s case that Monster Jam is as loved in Florida as anywhere in the world. The last weekend of April in Naples and the first weekend of May in Ocala saw more huge, standing room only crowds turn out for the popular Summer Heat series, and there’s more of that action to come later this summer.

It is gratifying to be a part of the summer heat affairs and feel like you are renewing long time friendships. So many of the fans who were cheering so loudly these last two weekends at the Florida Sports Park and at Ocala Speedway have also attended one or more of the big Florida stadium events earlier this year. So many of these families have been coming to Monster Jam for years and they are in the stands every chance they get, not just once a year. That loyalty and support just keeps the sport growing and expanding, even in a state where the big boys have been doing their thing live for more than two decades.

There are so many reasons that Monster Jam is so popular in Florida. The fact that the sport keeps expanding in this country, overseas, and on television means that it’s natural that Florida would keep growing too. In addition there are just so many families in the Sunshine State who love the big trucks and are able to take advantage of the great weather most times during the year to see them live. Florida, along with Texas and California, have that combination of large populations and several great venues all over those states where Monster Jam events can be held that there are now so many opportunities in those states for fans to see the action live, and every competitor I’ve talked to appreciates that amazing fan support. Monster Jam’s stars love their fans everywhere, there are just more chances to interact with them in places like Florida year ‘round.

One more aspect not to be overlooked when examining how beloved Monster Jam is in Florida is the strength of the Florida based Monster Jam teams. First and foremost, Bushnell’s Scott Hartsock has proudly represented for his home state for more than two decades, and Scott and his Gunslinger clearly hold legendary status all over Florida. Watch the autograph lines after the Florida events and in the pit parties and you can quickly see just how loved Hartsock is close to home. This past weekend in Ocala the number of fans sporting the cool new “Outlaw” t-shirts picturing Gunslinger and Cowboy was awesome.

You can go back a few years and bring up Milton’s Jim Jack and Reptoid, who won major televised racing events in Florida. Or look at the development of drivers like Bruce Haney from Bronson and Kissimmee’s Lionel Easler, Floridians who keep rising up the ladder in today’s world. Haney’s Bad News has become one of the best on the Thunder Nationals circuit and now Haney is stepping up into even more stadium events. Easler, after years at the top of the Pro Stadium Truck circuit, has transitioned brilliantly into Monster Jam. And, oh, let me not forget the Jolly sisters. There return to compete in Naples last year was wildly popular with the fans in southwest Florida, Candice and Courtney clearly have huge home state fan bases as well.

Monster Jam today is stronger than ever all over the U.S., Canada, and now expanding into new markets all over the world, and fans in every city keep turning out in amazing numbers, so it’s hard to single out any one area as the strongest in terms of fan support. However any such discussion has to include Florida, where the fan base continues to swell year after year and the Monster Jam superstars enjoy rock star like status.