At age 22, Adam Anderson drove Taz to the Freestyle World Championship at the Monster Jam NGK Spark Plugs World Finals this past Saturday. After a whirlwind season that saw him debut a new chassis and shock setup, Anderson began the process of carving his own niche in the sport with a 37 and a run for the ages. In addition to his freestyle victory, Adam also won the Innovator of the Year Award for his work with Grave Digger’s Chad Tingler on new technology for the trucks’ seats. We caught up with Adam to find out what was on his mind after the most amazing weekend of his career so far.

First of all, how does it feel to be the new World Finals Freestyle Champion?
It really hasn’t hit me yet that I’m the champion. It’s great. I’m not gonna change personally one thing, but it’s an honor to be the champion and have the title.

Did you do any special things preparing the truck for Vegas this year?
Right before the show, we made the first changes all year to our shock setup. We stiffened the shocks in the rear, and I’m very glad we did, because the truck handled great for racing and freestyle. It was awesome, the truck’s been awesome for me all year.

What went on in your mind before and during your freestyle run?
Well, I watched about the first six trucks freestyle, and I started getting that sick nervous feeling in my stomach. Everyone was doing so well, I just had to stop watching. Then I watched the three or so runs before me to see their jumps and how they went at the obstacles on the course, and also to see how the trucks reacted to the jumps out there. I just knew I’d have to go all-out from the start, and that’s what I did. During the run, I had a plan in mind for what to do, which is rare for me to do, and I was pretty much able to stick to it. I thought out almost every hit. The only thing I didn’t get to do that I wanted to was backside the rock pile hard and try to clear it. Afterwards I was really pumped; it felt crazy. I didn’t even know what all I did; it was just a really cool feeling.

You had a close race with Batman, but were called for a penalty. What are your thoughts on what happened?
I was all over the place in that race, just really squirrely. I hit the chicane, but I was still able to beat Batman to the line. I got called for a penalty for hitting the ramp with only one tire, so I was out.

Did any of your plan for freestyle change once you got out on the track?
Yeah, just a little bit. Obstacles change, and sometimes you don’t know what’s out there until you get there, but that’s part of the challenge. You have to adapt to stuff, and if I had a headset on with people telling me about all the new stuff out there as it went out there, I’d probably just get nervous and mess up.

You have spoken a lot about having your own place in the sport separate from your father (Dennis Anderson, driver of Grave Digger). What would you like to say about that?
First of all, I really appreciate what my dad continues to do for all of us. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him, and I’m very thankful for everything that he and the other drivers do for me. I do want to have my own identity separate from my father as a driver, and make my own name in the sport, kind of do my own thing. I think it’ll be fine, but it is important to me to be known as Adam, and not necessarily Dennis’ son all the time though.

Now that you’re the champion, what are your thoughts on having to defend the title next year, and being labeled as the champion at every show?
I’ll definitely have to change and drive like it’s the Monster Jam NGK Spark Plugs World Finals at every show! Now that I’ll probably go out last in the order at some shows, that’s a pretty big thought for me. Being behind whoever’s there is a big deal, and I really have no idea what to do yet, but I’ll do my best!