Be Sure To Visit

Our Friends At:

3/31/07

- Prescott Valley and Tucson Monster Jam's Coverage!!

3/30/07

- Major League of Monster Trucks PR!!

- First Photos of New Outtacontrol body!!

- Sin City Motorsports Update!!

3/28/07

- World Finals Double Down, Qualifying, &

Pit Party Photos Posted!

- BIGFOOT Makes A Wish Come True!

- Monster Jam Video Game Announced!

- Other News from the World Finals!

3/27/07

- World Finals Racing Photo Gallery Posted!!

3/26/07

- World Finals Freestyle Photo Gallery Posted!!

- Congratulations to this year's Champions!!

3/21/07

- TheMonsterBlog.com Heads to Vegas!!

- The Joie of Seating Teams With HBR!!

- KD's Latest "Behind the Scenes" Article!!

3/20/07

- MEGA Sedalia, MO Friday Night Video Highlights!!

- Eaton, Dodge Monsters Renew Partnership!!

3/19/07

- MEGA Sedalia, MO Photo Gallery!!

- Audio Interview With Dave Jackson of MEGA Promotions!!

3/17/07

- MEGA Monster Tour Sedalia, MO Recap!!

3/16/07

- Monster Blog

Weekend Update!!

- Brenda Noelke To Serve As New MTRA Secretary!!

3/15/07

- Raminator, Hall Clinch Monster Nationals Title!!

- KSR-Motorsports Set To Invade Puerto Rico!

- Bigfoot Update!!

3/14/07

- CFP Grand Nationals Lineup Announced!

3/13/07

- Complete World Finals Truck & Driver Lineup Announced!!

3/12/07

- Final Trucks Announced For Vegas!!

- MEGA Promotions Tour Coming To

Sedalia, MO!!

- Jonesboro AMP Tour Photo Gallery!!

3/11/07

- Jonesboro Highlight Video Posted!!

- AMP Jonesboro, AR Recap & Teasers!!

3/09/07

- Monster Blog

Weekend Update!!

3/07/07

- Trio of CSK Monster Trucks Qualify for Monster Jam World Finals!!

3/06/07

- Six More Trucks Announced For The World Finals!!

- "Road to the World Finals" Update!!

- Obsession and Havoc Film for 4D Movie!!

- Brutte Boss Hogg:

A Closer Look!!

3/05/07

- New "Behind the Scenes" article posted!!

- The Back to School Monster Truck Bash Returns!!

- Sin City Motorsports Team Update!!

3/03/07

- Tucson, AZ Monster Jam Recap!!

3/02/07

- Prescott Valley, AZ Monster Jam Recap!!

MARCH ARCHIVE

PICTURE OF THE MONTH WINNER

Photo by Blake Egdamin

Prescott Valley & Tucson Monster Jam Coverage Posted!!:  At the beginning of the month, Monster Blog Staff Members Lauren & Lynette Bonar traveled through the state of Arizona, hitting Monster Jam events in Prescott Valley and Tucson in consecutive days. A full coverage of the Friday night Prescott Valley event is now online, as well as a photo gallery from both Saturday shows in Tucson. Check out the new content by clicking the links below, thanks to Lauren & Lynette for the great photos!!  Enjoy!!  (03/31/07)

CLICK HERE FOR THE PRESCOTT VALLEY MONSTER JAM COVERAGE!!

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CLICK HERE FOR THE TUCSON MONSTER JAM PHOTO GALLERY!!

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Major League of Monster Trucks Press Release!!: (Red Bluff, CA) Tickets are on sale right now, the cheapest you can get em'! Merced, California, is once again, the event that will drop-kick the Series back into headlines. The Major League of Monster Truck Series and Tuff Trux Series will head into Central California on May 11th, 12th and 13th for a full weekend of the best Monster Truck Racing, and some of the wildest Freestyle. David Smith in King Krunch, and Dan Rodoni and the Patriot are already making the trip. Who else will be announced for the line-up? Check out M.L.M.T. in the next couple of days for some more developments for the M.L.M.T. Tour.
     The M.L.M.T. updates stories every week, and the site is constantly being updated with something, somewhere. Head on over to www.majorleagueofmonstertrucks.com and check out the refreshed website. Its had small minor changes, but the M.L.M.T. home on the net is still in full force!! (03/30/07)

Time To Get Outtacontrol!!:  The Outtacontrol truck is set to debut this weekend at the Southern Monster Truck Showdown event in Okeechobee, Florida. The former Monkey'n Around machine piloted by 18-year-old Steven Hill will take on Gun Slinger, Cowboy, Bad News, and Clydesdale. Look for the Outtacontrol machine in Pikeville KY, Mercedes TX, and Toccoa, GA in the next few weeks!  (03/30/07)

Sin City Motorsports Update!!:  I received the following update from Sin City Motorsports:
     "The Sin City Crusher Team has been working these past few months re-grouping the team, making employee changes, buisness relations changes, and monster truck chassis changes, as well as to the hauler. We have been working so hard toward the goal of making our team one of the best in the country. We are looking at about six to eight more weeks at the office before our team and trucks are ready to perform again. Check out the photo of Sin City Crusher being prepared for sand blasting, and watch for more updates as we continue our progress."  Thanks guys!  (03/30/07)

Congratulations to the World Finals Champions - UPDATE 3!!:  TheMonsterBlog.com is back from Las Vegas after one wild World Finals at Sam Boyd Stadium Saturday night!!  We congratulate your 2007 Monster Jam Champions John Seasock and Pablo Huffaker for their big wins in Racing and Freestyle, respectively!!  We have SO much coverage coming your way from the event, so keep checking back as we will constantly be adding more and more this week. Once again, John Seasock and Pablo Huffaker, we salute you, as well as all of this year's World Finals competitors who made it such a memorable event. A special thanks to all the folks with Live Nation Motorsports for their hospitality this past week, it was a pleasure being on hand to cover the industry's biggest event. We will post links below as we start adding photo galleries so keep checking for new content!!  (03/26/07)

- UPDATE #3: Photos from the Friday Double Down Experience and Practice / Qualfying session, as well as from the Saturday Pit Party and Parade are all available now!!  Click below to check out Ross Z. Bonar's, another 250+ total!! (03/28/07)

DOUBLE DOWN / QUALIFYING PHOTO GALLERY

Click Here to View!!

PIT PARTY / PARADE PHOTO GALLERY

Click Here to View!!

- UPDATE #2: The racing photos by Ross Z. Bonar have justed been posted!!  Click below to check them out--over 100 total!! (03/27/07)

RACING COMPETITION PHOTO GALLERY

Click Here to View!!

- UPDATE #1: Ross Z. Bonar's photos from the Freestyle competition are now online. Click below to check them out--over 300 total for your viewing pleasure!! (03/26/07)

FREESTYLE COMPETITION PHOTO GALLERY

Click Here to View!!

BIGFOOT Makes A Wish Come True!:  The Checkered Flag Productions Monster Truck Winter Nationals rolled into Pasco, WA for two big shows featuring, among others, Bigfoot #10 and driver Keith Sturgeon. Keith picked up a couple wins on the track, but more importantly the Bigfoot team and the Make A Wish Foundation were able to bring a little bit of joy to one young monster truck fan.
     Anderson Cazier, 11 years old, is an Acute Lymphotic Leukemia patient whose wish was to ride to school in the legendary Bigfoot monster truck. While the necessary clearances to drive a monster truck down the street could not be attained in this situation, Keith was able to improvise by driving the young man from his home right to the front door of the school in the BIGFOOT hauler.
     Just another example of those in the monster truck industry giving a little something back to the community, and we salute Keith and Bigfoot for their role in making this young man's day. (03/28/07)

Monster Jam Video Game Announced: (Aurora, IL) Activision Publishing, Inc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Activision, Inc., announced today that it has signed a multi-year agreement which grants the company exclusive worldwide rights to develop and distribute video games on all platforms based on Live Nation’s Monster Jam series.
     The first game under the terms of the agreement is expected to be available at retail stores worldwide this holiday. The as-yet-unnamed title will bring to life all of the intense action of the Monster Jam live events. Featured in the game will be 20 of the world’s top monster trucks on the Monster Jam circuit, including Grave Digger®, Maximum Destruction®, Monster Mutt®, and El Toro Loco®.
     “Activision is excited to be partnering with Live Nation to bring Monster Jam to video game fans,” stated David Oxford, General Manager, Activision Publishing, Inc., “Monster Jam is an exhilarating live event and we are sure that we can make it come to life in a video game with just as much thrill and excitement.”
     “We feel we have found a partner in Activision that shares our vision for both an authentic Monster Jam game that will appeal to the core Monster Jam fans, and a game which will also appeal to gamers by going above and way beyond anything we could do at the live events, it will have it all.” said Charlie Mancuso, President Live Nation – Motor Sports. “Activision’s strong relationships with retailers in addition to their strategic marketing and promotional direction for the game were key in our decision to partner with them. We are looking forward to the launch of the game this holiday and Monster Jam fans and video-gamers alike should rest assured that an outstanding video game is in the works.”  (03/28/07)

Other News From the World Finals:  There were two other significant news items revealed at this year's World Finals: the announcement that highlights from the event would be aired on CBS and the winner of the 2007 Monsters On Mainstreet contest.
     It has been sometime since monster trucks have been seen on network television, but that will all change Saturday, April 15th at Noon EST. A special airing of Monster Jam will be seen on CBS, including highlights from this year's World Finals.
     Also, the second edition of the Monsters On Mainstreet contest was decided before the start of the World Finals Saturday night. Five finalists were given keys, one of which would start a 2008 Ford F-150--the person with the correct key would be declared the winner. When all was said and done, it was Bruce Heavner of Crete, IL winning this year's Monsters On Mainstreet.  Where is Crete, IL?  Just south of Chicago, so my guess is that Bruce won't have any problem finding 5,000 friends to invite to the event!  (03/28/07)

TheMonsterBlog.com World Finals Coverage!!:  TheMonsterBlog.com Team is headed to Las Vegas, NV for Monster Jam World Finals 8 at Sam Boyd Stadium this weekend!!  Four members of our team including Ross & Rajeana Bonar and Lauren & Lynette Bonar will be taking in the festivities, and we will be bringing all the action to you including results, photos, and exclusive audio interviews!!  We arrive in Vegas tomorrow afternoon, and we have created a special section on the Fan Forum where you will be able to find all of our content, simply by clicking the link below.

     In addition to being able to check out all the content on the Forum, you will also be able to interact by throwing in your opinion or rooting on your favorite driver with a few keystrokes and clicks of the mouse. Head on over to our special World Finals Coverage Section now by clicking the link above and keep checking back for all the updates as the 2007 Monster Jam Champions are crowned!!  (03/21/07)

The Joie of Seating Teams With HBR!!:  (Champaign, IL) For many years, stock car racers of all levels, from local weekend warriors to Nextel Cup veterans, have known the value of having a well-built aluminum racing seat. And although aluminum racing seats are nothing new in Monster Truck racing, they are still considered something of a rarity. But with the help of Hall Brothers Racing and their Dodge Raminator and Rammunition monster trucks, the Joie of Seating is looking to change that.
     Owned and created by two-time NASCAR Busch Series Champion Randy LaJoie, the Joie of Seating has been the leader in custom aluminum racing seats for quite a long time. As the supplier of seats to some of the biggest names in NASCAR racing, LaJoie’s company is at the forefront of their field, and they are always looking for new ways to keep it that way. Enter Hall Brothers Racing, and drivers Mark Hall, Geremie Dishman, and Dale Benear. With the level of abuse that man and machine must sustain in Monster Truck competition, the HBR team saw the need to look at some aluminum seating options, but not any old seat would do. After discussing some options with Randy LaJoie and Joe Pelham, the Joie of Seating and HBR decided to team up to begin an extensive R&D program that would involve the custom tailoring of Joie seats to suit the needs of each individual driver.

     Two of the team’s three race trucks have now been outfitted with custom, hand-crafted Joie of Seating aluminum race seats, with the third truck scheduled to receive a new seat in the coming weeks. The team’s drivers report back to LaJoie and company after each event, to discuss how the seats performed and what changes, if any, need to be made. “I think we were all a little skeptical at first,” said lead Raminator driver Mark Hall. “But after using the seats for a couple of weekends, I really became sold on the idea. My belts stay tighter, and I feel like I move around a lot less during a run.” Mark’s brother Tim Hall was also ecstatic about the seats: “Having been a crew chief in this sport for nearly 20 years, I know what it is like to watch a driver from the pits and hope that he is as safe as he can be in his truck. With our new Joie of Seating seats, I’m confident that our drivers are safe and secure while on the track.”
     Joe Pelham of The Joie of Seating also offered his thoughts: “We at The Joie of Seating are extremely excited about our involvement with Hall Brothers Racing. It is obvious to us that HBR is a professionally-run organization.” He went on to add that “We are all fans of Monster Truck racing, but after having Mark and Geremie spend a couple days at our shop just to learn and listen about seat safety was really impressive. These drivers move around so much in the cockpit during their races and performances, we at the Joie of Seating though it would be a natural fit for us to get involved with top-notch trucks like the factory-backed Dodge Raminator and Rammunition.” Joe expressed his pleasure at having the Joie of Seating involved with HBR and the Monster Truck Racing Association, which hopefully will open the door for more teams to explore the benefits of a high-quality, custom-built aluminum race seat. Pelham summed it up by saying “We are so proud to be a part of the MTRA, and we just hope that Mark, Geremie, and Dale’s competitors will pay as close attention to safety as Hall Brothers Racing has.”
     For more information on The Joie of Seating, make sure to stop by their website: www.thejoieofseating.com. There you will find tons of information, including information and pricing on their complete line of seats. With seats that can handle 150+mph crashes at NASCAR races and massive leaps at Monster Truck events, it is hard to go wrong with a Joie seat. Also, be sure to visit www.raminator.com to learn more about the Dodge Raminator and Rammunition monster trucks, and to find out when they will be at a race track or Dodge dealership near you. (03/21/07)

Behind the Scenes With KD!!:  Monster Blog Special Contributor Kyle Doyle has submitted his latest "Behind the Scenes" blog article which takes you through the life of a monster truck team member on the road. Kyle's last article was a little shorter than usual, but he sure made up for it this time around. Tons of great stories as you are taken from the shores of Lake Eustis, FL to the Drag Racing Hall of Fame, with a little bit of monster truckin' thrown in too!

     Thanks to 4 Wheel Parts of Cleveland, the "Presenting Sponsor of Behind the Scenes With KD", be sure to support them by heading over to 4WheelPartsCleveland.com and taking a look around. Check out the new Blog article by clicking the link below!! (03/05/07)

CLICK HERE TO VIEW KYLE DOYLE'S LATEST "BEHIND THE SCENES" ARTICLE!!

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MEGA Sedalia Friday Night Highlights!!:  We took a break from taking photos during the Friday night show to film the final round of racing and the freestyle competition, and highlights are now posted!!  Check them out now by clicking the link below or heading over to the Videos section. Thanks & Enjoy!!  (03/20/07)

CLICK HERE TO VIEW HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FRIDAY NIGHT SEDALIA SHOW!!

(Please note that this video is 14 MB, so please be patient when loading!)

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Eaton, Dodge Monsters Renew Partnership:  (Champaign, IL)  As the world’s largest producer of differentials, diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation provides innovative traction solutions for original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and the performance automotive aftermarket. Eaton strengthened its presence in specialty vehicle markets with the acquisition of Tractech Holdings, Inc., the parent company of such well-known brands as Detroit Locker® and Detroit Truetrac®. And in the rugged world of Monster Truck racing, the Detroit Locker® has become a key ingredient in winning championships. A prime example of that is Hall Brothers Racing, and their factory Dodge Raminator and Rammunition monster trucks.

     With six outdoor championships and five indoor championships to their credit, Hall Brothers Racing knows a thing or two about what it takes to win. And if you ask team manager and crew chief Tim Hall, he’ll gladly tell you that the Detroit Locker® is a crucial element in their winning formula. “With the tremendous power that our 565ci Hemi® engines are making, it can be easy to lose traction on the myriad of surfaces that we race on,” said Hall. “But with a Detroit Locker® in the rear of our Dodge Ram monster trucks, we can help harness that raw power and put it to the ground.” And if you ask any racer, they will tell you that power isn’t worth anything unless you can put it to the ground effectively.
     In 2006, the Eaton Corporation and their Detroit Locker® brand had been supporting Hall Brothers Racing and their trucks for a number of years, but they decided it was time to step it up a bit. So, at all of their major national events, a specially constructed Eaton display tent could be found, exhibiting the latest in Eaton differential technology with hands-on displays that fans could interact with, as well as plenty of free literature and decals. For 2007, Eaton and HBR plan to continue this popular and successful exhibit at all of the Special Events 4-Wheel Jamboree events, but this year the team will have even more to offer the fans. Several members of the team visited Eaton’s home in Southfield, MI in early March to learn exactly what goes into the creation of Eaton’s line of products. The crew spent an entire day touring the facility and learning about the lineup of Eaton products so that when fans ask questions of the team at the events, they know they are getting reliable and accurate information.
     OEM’s, enthusiasts, and racers know and trust the Eaton lineup of products, but to see for yourself, visit www.eaton.com and www.eatonperformance.com. Also visit www.raminator.com to check out the latest info on the Dodge Raminator and Rammunition monster trucks, and to find out when they will be at a race track or Dodge dealership near you. And when you see the Dodge Raminator or Rammunition trucks, you’ll know that they are using a genuine Detroit Locker®. (03/20/07)

MEGA Monster Truck Tour Photo Gallery!!:  Our photo gallery from the MEGA Monster Truck Tour event in Sedalia, MO is now online!!  The Matthewson Exhibition Center is by far the most challenging venue I have ever taken photos in, so I apologize if the quality of some of the photos suffered a bit. Over 100 photos from the three shows are now online, check them out by clicking the link below.  We've still got videos from the Friday night freestyle competition coming your way, so stay tuned!!  (03/19/07)

CLICK HERE FOR ROSS Z. BONAR'S SEDALIA, MO PHOTO GALLERY!!

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Audio Interview With Dave Jackson of MEGA Promotions!!:  TheMonsterBlog.com is proud to introduce a new feature to the website--audio interviews!!  We will now do on-site interviews with drivers, promoters, crew members, and other industry persons and you will be able to listen to them on your computer with one click of the mouse. Our first interview took place this past Saturday night with Dave Jackson of MEGA Promotions. Click the graphic below to listen to the interview and be sure to stop by the Fan Forum to let us know what you thought. If all goes well, we should be able to bring you several interviews later this week as we countdown to the World Finals from Las Vegas!!  Thanks & Enjoy!!  (03/19/07)

MEGA Monster Truck Tour Rocks Sedalia, MO!!:  MEGA Promotions kicked off their 2007 season this weekend in Sedalia, MO, bringing three action-packed shows to the Matthewson Exhibition Center!!  Featuring a lineup including Twisted Dragon, Viper, Monster Moose, Public Disturbance, and Iron Horse, the mid-Missouri fans were in for a treat.

     Rob French in Twisted Dragon dominated the weekend's events, winning two out of the three contests in both racing and freestyle. Rich Blackburne in Viper picked up the other wins, taking the Friday racing win and the Saturday night freestyle victory. The weekend also saw only the second appearance of rookie driver Jennifer Consoliver behind the wheel of Monster Moose. She did an outstanding job, making the racing finals both nights and finishing runner-up in tonight's freestyle.

     A big shout out to everyone with MEGA Promotions who did a great job with their first event of the year in Sedalia. We thank them for their hospitality at the event, and look forward to when they return to Sedalia in June at the Fairgrounds. Be watching for many more photos from the show and some video from Friday night's freestyle contest, as well as an exclusive interview with Dave Jackson of MEGA Promotions, all coming soon!!  (03/16/07)

Monster Blog Weekend Update!!: We're off to Sedalia, MO for the first event of the 2007 MEGA Promotions Tour. Three shows this weekend featuring Twisted Dragon, Iron Horse, Viper, Monster Moose, and Public Disturbance--we'll have photo and video from the show, be watching for updates on Sunday!!  For more information on this weekend's event, check out the new MEGA website at www.MEGAPromotionsTour.com. (03/16/07)

Brenda Noelke To Serve As New MTRA Secretary: (St. Louis, MO) The Monster Truck Racing Association-International announced early Wednesday morning that Brenda Noelke had been appointed to the MTRA Secretary/Treasurer position. Brenda will take over for the departing Robyn Brow, who dedicated several years of hard work and effort towards this position. The MTRA would like to thank Robyn for her hard work and dedication.
     The MTRA is confident that Brenda will help the organization continue to improve and grow. Please update your contact information and address all new paperwork and emails accordingly. Please see below for Brenda’s contact information. Once again, the MTRA would like to thank Robyn for her efforts, and welcome aboard Brenda Noelke!

Contact Information:
Brenda Noelke - Email: contact@mtra.us (03/16/07)

Raminator, Hall Clinch Monster Nationals Title!!:  (Champaign, IL) Raminator driver Mark Hall entered the Battle Creek, Mich. Monster Nationals event with an impressive points lead, but the four-time series champion wasn't content to sit idle and let the competition play catch-up. Instead, the veteran driver increased his seven-race winning streak to an unbelievable 10 races, a feat that has never been accomplished by any driver in over ten years of Monster Nationals competition. In doing so, Hall clinched the 2007 Monster Nationals racing championship sooner than any year prior.

     We knew coming into the season that this would be one of the toughest years yet," said Hall. "But to be at this point in the season and have the championship locked in, well, it is nothing short of an awesome feeling."
     Assisting Mark Hall in his run for his fifth consecutive Monster Nationals championship is teammate Geremie Dishman, driving the Hall Brothers' second truck, the Dodge Rammunition. Dishman has been Hall's opponent in four of the last six final rounds of Monster Nationals racing, and though he has yet to claim a final round victory, Dishman has been quite helpful in squashing the competition's hopes of claiming the title. Despite losing an engine to a new type of motor oil that failed during the Friday, night (3/9/07) event at the Kellogg Arena, Dishman rebounded strong on Saturday with the help of the Hall Brothers crew, as he met his boss Hall in final round of the afternoon race, and later in the night race.
     Co-owner and crew chief Tim Hall was nothing short of ecstatic about the team's performance in Battle Creek. "We are now at the point in the year where our indoor series, the Monster Nationals, will begin to overlap the first couple of races of our outdoor series, the four-Wheel Jamborees," explained Tim Hall. "It is critical that you be in good standing in the Monster Nationals points at this juncture. This allows you to devote the necessary attention to the Jamboree series, because it is important to start off on a high note on that series," said Hall. "With the Monster Nationals championship taken care of early, we can now concentrate on dominating the Jamboree series," he added.
     The Monster Nationals series will resume in Columbus, Ohio in three weeks, the same weekend as the first four-Wheel Jamboree event of the year in Fredricksburg, Texas. Team driver Dale Benear will carry the Raminator name in the team's third race truck in Ohio, while Hall and Dishman will try to pick up early wins in Texas. Photo Courtesy Kyle Doyle. (03/15/07)

KSR-Motorsports Set To Invade Puerto Rico!!:  (Exton, PA) For the first time in 15 years Monster Trucks Return to Puerto Rico. KSR-Motorsports is set to bring its Night of Fire and Destruction show to San Juan and Aguadilla.

Photo of Hiram Bithorn Stadium Courtesy www.ebaseballparks.com.

     KSR will first make the trip down to Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, PR on March 24th and 25th. KSR will bring Monster Trucks such as Dominator, Martial Law, and The Boston Bigshot, as well as World Record Motorcycle Jumper Doug Danger, and the best FMX performers in the world today.

Photo of Canena Marquez Stadium Courtesy www.wikipedia.org.

     KSR will continue its tour of Puerto Rico when it travels to Canena Marquez Stadium in Aguadilla, PR on March 31st and April 1st.
     KSR-Motorsports will send updates back from Puerto Rico with Pictures and Results. Also keep a look out as KSR continues its Caribbean Tour as it travels to the Dominican Republic in April. Questions can be sent to Big Ron at br_motorsports@hotmail.com. (03/15/07)

BIGFOOT Update: Finally A Break!:  (Hazelwood, MO)  It’s been a very busy 1st quarter here at BIGFOOT, but we’re finally getting a break. The trucks have all made it back to the shop and are getting some much needed attention.
     Dave Harkey, in the Star BIGFOOT #14, is getting ready to head to Billings, Montana and then on to Salinas, Kansas, both for Checkered Flag Productions. He is gearing up to increase his points before the CFP Championship in Pocatello, ID. GO DAVE!
     Keith Sturgeon, in the 30th Anniversary BIGFOOT #10, is leaving for Pasco, Washington, followed by Ft. Wayne, Indiana. He has been gaining valuable seat time in the truck this year and is doing a great job. Keith, keep up the good work! (As you can see from his schedule, he is also gaining a lot of time behind the wheel of his semi as well!)

     In the Summit Racing BIGFOOT #15, Dan Runte has his work cut out for him. He is getting ready to start the Special Events Performance Series and is running in 2nd place in the CFP Series. The Special Events outdoor series begins in Fredericksburg, Texas the weekend of March 31st. Then Dan will be heading straight to Pocatello, Idaho for the CFP Championship weekend. Good Luck, Dan!
     Rick Long has had a great first quarter, so far! Last year, in BIGFOOT #11, Rick ran for Edge Motorsports in Canada for a limited number of shows. They loved him so much they’ve asked him back for the whole 2007 Edge monster truck racing series. Let’s take home the title, Rick!
     Ron Bachmann has been in Nashville for Mac Tools and Detroit and Cleveland for Summit Racing Equipment with BIGFOOT #12. Next he’s going to the NHRA races in Las Vegas and Atlanta.
     Rodney Tweedy has been working here at the shop getting the NEW Firestone Transporter ready for his upcoming Firestone dealer tour. The truck and trailer are lookin’ good!  Firestone BIGFOOT #8 and Jerry Dalton have been touring Texas, and will soon be heading for Louisville, Kentucky to attend the Mid American Trucking Show.
     Madusa is getting ready for the Truckin’ Nationals in Chandler, Arizona at Firebird Raceway. She will be racing against Dan, and Dave will be crewing for her!
     BIGFOOT 4X4, Inc. is going back to our roots! We are installing lift kits and upgrades to customer’s vehicles again. CLICK HERE for more details. Check back for the date of our Open House!  For more information, head on over to www.Bigfoot4x4.com.  (03/15/07)

CFP Grand Nationals Lineup Announced!!:  The 2007 Checkered Flag Productions Monster Truck Winter Nationals season is winding down with only a few events left on the schedule before the April 14th Grand Nationals championship event in Pocatello, ID. CFP has released the lineup of trucks that will be competing at the Holt Arena on their website.
     Leading the charge are the teams of Bigfoot 4x4, Sudden Impact Racing, and Big Toyz Racing. The Bigfoot team will be sending their two most experienced drivers, Dan Runte in Bigfoot #15 and Dave Harkey in Bigfoot #14, to compete for the '07 CFP Championship. The current CFP points leader is Sean Duhon, who will pilot Traxxas T-Maxx in search of his first title, and SIR teammate Jon Zimmer in Sudden Impact has also qualified for the Pocatello final. Jason Grill in Public Disturbance has had an excellent season and will compete in Pocatello, along with defending Winter Nationals Champ Brad Campbell in Monster Moose, who has had a tough winter season and currently sits 9th in the overall point standings.
     Rounding out the 10 truck lineup are 2007 championship contenders Rich Blackburne in Viper, Rob French in Twisted Dragon, and Bill Payne in High Voltage, while Scott Anderson and his Arachnaphobia machine look to repeat as the Pocatello freestyle winner, once again playing the role of "spoiler".
     For more information on the Monster Truck Winter Nationals series and the Pocatello, ID championship event, head on over to CheckeredFlagProductions.com. (03/14/07)

World Finals: Complete Lineup of Trucks & Drivers!:  (Aurora, IL) The U.S. Hot Rod Association® announced today the complete list of trucks and drivers for 2007 Monster Jam® World Finals on March 24 at Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium. Three first-year World Finals competitors will debut against a number of World Finals veterans.
     The number of years each truck and driver has competed in the Monster Jam World Finals is listed below.

Truck - Driver
1. Air Force Afterburner (2) - Damon Bradshaw (1)
2. Avenger (8) - Jim Koehler (8)
3. Batman (2) - John Seasock (5)
4. Blue Thunder (7) - Tony Farrell (5)
5. Bounty Hunter (6) - Jim Creten (6)
6. Brutus (3) - Chris Bergeron (3)
7. Captain’s Curse (1) - Pablo Huffaker (7)
8. Destroyer (4) - Dan Evans (4)
9. El Toro Loco (5) - Lupe Soza (5)
10. An Escalade (3) - George Balhan (3)
11. Grave Digger (8) - Dennis Anderson (7)
12. Hot Wheels (5) - Neil Elliott (3)
13. Iron Outlaw (2) - Linsey Weenk (2)
14. King Krunch (5) - David Smith (4)
15. Maximum Destruction (5) - Tom Meents (8)
16. Monster Mutt (5) - Charlie Pauken (3)
17. Monster Mutt - dalmatian (1)- Chad Tingler (2)
18. Pastrana 199 (3) - Courtney Jolly (1)
19. Safe Auto Minimizer (2) - Marc McDonald (2)
20. Scarlet Bandit (2) - Dawn Creten (2)
21. Superman (3) - Chad Fortune (5)
22. Taz (2) - Adam Anderson (2)
23. Team Suzuki (3) - Bobby Parr (1) / Frank Krmel (2)
24. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (3) - Randy Brown (2)

     Tickets and Double Down packages are in very limited supply, but are still available. For Double Down Packages, weekend schedules and/or additional information on the Monster Jam World Finals, fans can log onto MonsterJamOnline.com.

Final Trucks Announced For Vegas!:  (Aurora, IL) The U.S. Hot Rod Association announced today the remaining trucks scheduled to compete at the Monster Jam World Finals on March 24. These final four trucks round out what is already expected to be the greatest line up in Monster Jam World Finals history.

- Brutus
- Captain’s Curse *
- King Krunch
- Pastrana 199
* Indicates trucks inaugural appearance at the Monster Jam World Finals

     The highlight of this final group is the all new pirate-themed creation Captain’s Curse. Captain’s Curse, which will be debuted for the first time ever at Friday’s Monster Jam World Finals Double Down festivities, will be driven by Monster Jam World Finals veteran Pablo Huffaker.
     In addition to Captain’s Curse, the 2007 World Finals will feature five-time World Finals competitor King Krunch, and three-time competitors Brutus and Pastrana 199. Also new to the Monster Jam World Finals this year is Pastrana 199 driver Courtney Jolley. Jolly, having only driven on the Monster Jam circuit the past two years, has made a tremendous mark on the sport and impressed officials enough to be considered ready for the World Finals spotlight.
     For Double Down Packages, weekend schedules and/or additional information on the Monster Jam World Finals, fans can log onto MonsterJamOnline.com.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The twenty trucks previously announced are: Grave Digger, Bounty Hunter, Maximum Destruction, Avenger, Batman, Superman, El Toro Loco, Blue Thunder, Air Force Afterburner, Iron Outlaw, Escalade, Monster Mutt, Hot Wheels, Monster Mutt Dalmation, Taz, Scarlet Bandit, Destroyer, Safe Auto Minimizer, Team Suzuki, & Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

MEGA Promotions Tour Coming To Sedalia, MO!!:  MEGA Promotions is ready to rock and roll come March 16th and 17th in Sedalia, MO inside the Mathewson Building!  Sedalia will mark the first event for MEGA Promotions of the 2007 season. The weekend will feature some of the top Monster Truck Superstars like "Monster Moose", "Public Disturbance", "Viper", "Iron horse" and the all new monster corvette "Twisted Dragon", and will also include those crazy tuff trucks and FMX Freestyle Jumpers as seen on the "X Games". Show times Friday and Saturday night begin at 7:30PM, with a Saturday afternoon show at 2:00PM. Tickets are now available at the Matthewson Building Box Office and at all "Break Time" convienence stores. Check out the new MEGA Promotions website for more information, and watch for more 2007 dates coming soon!!  (03/12/07)

Jonesboro AMP Tour Photo Gallery!!:  You've read the recap and seen the teasers, checked out the highlight video, but you've got to see the huge photo gallery of nearly 150 photos from all the weekend's events in Jonesboro, AR!!  See what the AMP Tour Monster Truck Thunder Slam is all about by clicking the link below. Thanks & Enjoy!!  (03/12/07)

CLICK HERE FOR ROSS Z. BONAR'S JONESBORO, AR PHOTO GALLERY!!

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AMP Tour Jonesboro, AR Highlight Video Posted!!:  Our highlight video from this weekend's AMP Tour Monster Truck Thunder Slam in Jonesboro, AR has been posted!!  See all the best action from Don King & Bearfoot's tailgate-draggin' wheelies to Bobby Holman & Beast's wild cyclones by clicking the link below. A big thanks to my friend Shane Skinner for attending the shows with me this weekend, and doing a great job with the video. Thanks & Enjoy!!  (03/11/07)

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE JONESBORO AMP TOUR HIGHLIGHT VIDEO!!

(Please note that this video is 18 MB, so please be patient when loading!)

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AMP-ing It Up In Jonesboro!!: The AMP Monster Truck Thunderslam rolled into Jonesboro, AR this weekend for two big shows at the ASU Convocation Center, with 5 monster trucks ready to do battle!!  The weekend saw incredible competition between Don King in Bearfoot, Bobby Holman and his Beast, and Keith Sturgeon in Bigfoot, as well as solid performances from Shane Smith in Venom and Todd Martin in the Red Cactus Crusher. Friday night would see Bigfoot win the wheelie contest, Bearfoot take racing, and Holman's Beast win freestyle with some wild cyclones. The three would be back at it Saturday, and only Keith Sturgeon could stop Don King from sweeping the evening. King took both the wheelie and freestyle contests, and was narrowly defeated by Sturgeon in racing. All in all, we had a great weekend in Jonesboro, and would like to thank AMP Live Events for their hospitality. LOTS more good stuff coming from this show including tons of photos and a rockin' highlight video, so stay tuned!!  (03/11/07)

Monster Blog Weekend Update!!: We're heading out today for Jonesboro, AR where the AMP Tour Monster Truck Thunderslam is invading the ASU Convocation Center for two big shows this weekend!!  Featuring Bigfoot, Holman's Beast, Bearfoot, Venom, and Born to Be Wild, we're sure we're in for some great action. Watch for updates on the Fan Forum and a full recap when we get back Sunday! (03/10/07)

Trio of CSK Monster Trucks Qualify for Monster Jam World Finals: (Tonganoxie, KS) The annual Monster Jam World Finals in Las Vegas has become the end-all, mega event for all monster truck competitors. While most other motorsports are celebrating their ‘off season’ some 100+ teams battle through grueling winter weather to compete in the punishing schedule of events that lead up to the sports biggest night. On Tuesday March 6th, The United States Hot Rod Association announced that Bounty Hunter, Iron Outlaw and Scarlet Bandit have all made the cut for the championship night. It marked the first time that an independent team has claimed three spots in the 24 truck field.

     “We’re thrilled. There was a question in my mind whether all three trucks would make it and I was glad to finally hear the news” explained team owner, driver and former World Finals Champion Jimmy Creten. “This business is getting tougher and tougher. There are more trucks out there than can run at the top level than ever before and it’s really a good feeling to know we’re still towards the front of the pack”.
     Dawn Creten made her return to the seat in Anaheim, CA after nearly a year and a half off for the birth of her 3rd baby girl. Her team, led by Crew Chief Darren Migues, had a slow start fighting with new-truck bugs. “The new Scarlet Bandit is awesome. We had some problems at first but by the third or fourth weekend I was really comfortable in it” explained the fan favorite female driver. “Last year in Vegas was awesome, since I couldn’t compete I got to watch the event live, something most drivers don’t get a chance to do. I learned a lot. I really can’t wait to get there and go for it this year!”
     The ‘young gun’ of the sport, Linsey Weenk, has collected his share of victories this season, and continues to gain fans with every win. “I was hoping to repeat the awesome win-streak I had last year but with the competition we have, that’s no easy task. I’m more comfortable in my truck than ever, mostly because of the multiple event weekends we’ve had in places like Tacoma and Albuquerque. I’ve also got Vegas experience now so I’ve seen how the whole weekend plays out”. Weenk in Iron Outlaw has collected 8 racing titles since the beginning of January.
     The team’s flagship truck, Bounty Hunter, is carrying momentum as the World Finals draw near. The Bounty Hunter has captured 6 racing and 4 freestyle victories, and lost more tie-breakers than he cares to remember. Driver Jimmy Creten has been down this road before; he has been labeled the favorite to win every year since 2005. “We’ve really had an awesome season. All the trucks are running well and we haven’t had any major issues to deal with on any of them”. Creten carries an advantage at the World Finals that only a few other competitors share and that’s the sheer number of laps he’s run on the challenging course. “The layout is the same and the veterans are somewhat used to it. The dirt and weather is what can make or break you once you get to the turn. It makes all the difference in the world”.
     Carrying the banner for Checker, Schuck’s, Kragen and Murray’s Auto Parts stores and newest sponsor HPI Racing, the three drivers from 2Xtreme Racing will battle 21 of the toughest competitors in the sport March 24th at Sam Boyd Stadium.
     For more information on the United States Hot Rod Association and the Monster Jam World Finals please visit www.ushra.com. For information on Bounty Hunter, Scarlet Bandit and Iron Outlaw visit our website at www.bountyhunter4x4.com or www.scarletbandit.com. (03/07/07)

List Narrows As Six More Trucks Add To Lineup In Vegas!:  (Aurora, IL) The U.S. Hot Rod Association announces today the next lineup of trucks in the crushing campaign to compete at the Monster Jam World Finals on March 24. The addition of six more teams scheduled to perform at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas enhances the anticipation of what’s to come at the World Finals at the end of the month.
     The next set of competitors have pushed their limits, risked their personal safety, spent thousands of hours and miles on the road, while working to keep their trucks in championship shape. These six trucks continue to elevate the level of competition expected at the Monster Jam World Finals.

- Taz
- Scarlet Bandit
- Safe Auto Minimizer
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle
- Destroyer
- Team Suzuki

     Leading these next six trucks is Adam Anderson, who takes back the wheel of Taz after stepping in to drive Grave Digger the past two months for his injured father, Dennis Anderson. Also, Dawn Creten makes her return to the Monster Jam World Finals after taking a year off for maternity leave.
     For Double Down Packages, weekend schedules and/or additional information on the Monster Jam World Finals, fans can log onto MonsterJamOnline.com. (03/06/07)

EDITOR'S NOTE: The fourteen trucks previously announced are: Grave Digger, Bounty Hunter, Maximum Destruction, Avenger, Batman, Superman, El Toro Loco, Blue Thunder, Air Force Afterburner, Iron Outlaw, Escalade, Monster Mutt, Hot Wheels, & Monster Mutt Dalmation.

"Road to the World Finals" Update - Our Recommendations!!:  Last week we found out who six more of this year's World Finals participants will be, but because USHRA decided to wait one more week before announcing the final lineup, we decided to run our unofficial point standings for another week, giving drivers one last chance to prove that they earned their way into the World Finals!!

     In the top ten, Tom Meents continues to dominate, but it was Lupe Soza in El Toro Loco making the big jump this week, moving up to the 6th position overall. Damon Bradshaw in Air Force Afterburner also moved up, all the way to the 9th position from not even being in the top 24 a couple weeks ago!!
     While last week saw no changes in the top 24, this weekend resulted in two drivers jumping in while another driver fell out, also resulting in a two-way tie for the final transfer spot. Based on big performances in El Paso, TX this past weekend, John Seasock in Batman and Bobby Parr in Team Suzuki vaulted into the top 24, bumping out Carl Van Horn in T-Maxx and leaving Courtney Jolly in Pastrana 199 and Daron Basl in El Matador tied for the 24th position.
     We expect more World Finals participants to be announced later today so be watching for that announcement from USHRA right here on the site. In the meantime, check out our "Road to the World Finals" section for our recommended top 24 drivers, based on this year's actual results. For the complete standings and all this past weekend's results and points awarded, click below to head on over to the "Road to the World Finals" section!!  (03/06/07)

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE "ROAD TO THE WORLD FINALS" SECTION!!

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Obsession and Havoc Film for 4D Simulator Movie!!:  Mike Fonder of American Promotions Motorsports Entertainment was kind enough to send over a couple photos from Hearly Motor-sports' participation in the filming of a new 4D amusement park movie. The filming was done in Lake Piru, CA featuring Hearly Motorsports' Havoc bodied monster truck, and Rick Swanson's Obsession. The two trucks raced each other, and each freestyle'd for the cameras. See below for the photos, and be watching for a press release coming soon with all the details about the upcoming movie. Thanks to Mike for the update!!  (03/06/07)

Brutte Boss Hogg: A Closer Look!!:  Mark Fontanetta, a good friend of TheMonsterBlog.com, was kind enough to submit an article and photos of one of the most unqiue monster trucks ever built. Currently residing at the Volvo Auto Museum located on the outskirts of Chicago, is the Brutte Boss Hogg. Mark wanted to give fellow fans a look at this classic monster truck, as well as some of the other famous cars at the museum, and we were happy to provide the space for his article. Check it out below, and thanks to Mark for the submission!!  (03/05/07)

CLICK HERE TO READ MARK FONTANETTA'S BRUTTE BOSS HOGG ARTICLE!!

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Behind the Scenes With KD!!:  Monster Blog Special Contributor Kyle Doyle has submitted his latest "Behind the Scenes" blog article which takes you through the life of a monster truck team member on the road. A shorter article than usual this month, but with Kyle's writing, its always a good read. Thanks to 4 Wheel Parts of Cleveland, the "Presenting Sponsor of Behind the Scenes With KD", be sure to support them by heading over to 4WheelPartsCleveland.com and taking a look around. Check out the new Blog article by clicking the link below!! (03/05/07)

CLICK HERE TO VIEW KYLE DOYLE'S LATEST "BEHIND THE SCENES" ARTICLE!!

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The Back to School Monster Truck Bash Returns!!:  Rich Schaefer Event Productions is returning to the The Dirt Track at Lowe's Motor Speedway Saturday, August 18th for the annual Back to School Monster Truck Bash!!  The event will feature an all-star lineup of trucks including Avenger, Brutus, Equalizer, Hot Tamale, Nitemare, Raminator, Samson, and Scarlet Bandit!!  The Back to School Monster Truck Bash is always one of the can't miss shows of the summer, so start planning now!!  For more information, head on over to MonsterTruckChallenge.com!!  (03/05/07)

Update From Sin City Motorsports!!:  We received this update from Sin City Motorsports:
     "It has been a while since there has been any word of what is going on at the Sin City Motorsports home in Las Vegas, NV.  We have been working on the trucks to improve their abilities in order to be on top in racing and freestyle. Currently the trucks and our hauler, including the trailer are having changes made to them. We are very sorry here at the team that it is taking so long to give updates to our fans, but we do want to say that when its all said and done, the new Vegas Team is going to be on top no matter what it takes!!"
     Thanks to Chris Powell and Sin City Motorsports for the update.  (03/05/07)

Tucson Monster Jam Recap!!:  Monster Blog Staff Members Lauren & Lynette Bonar headed down to Tucson, AZ Saturday for two Monster Jam shows featuring Grave Digger, Bulldozer, Bounty Hunter, Iron Outlaw, Scarlet Bandit, and McGruff!!  Chad Tingler in Grave Digger was on fire, winning the wheelie, donut, and freestyle contests in both the afternoon and evening shows!  Linsey Weenk in Iron Outlaw took the evening show's racing victory over Dawn Creten in Scarlet Bandit, and Jimmy Creten in Bounty Hunter won the afternoon racing contest over Rod Wood in McGruff.  Thanks to Lauren & Lynette for the great shots and be watching for many more photos and coverage from the Tuscon show, coming soon here on TheMonsterBlog.com!!  (03/03/07)

Prescott Valley Monster Jam Recap!!:  TheMonsterBlog.com's Lauren & Lynette Bonar were in Prescott Valley, AZ Friday night for the first ever Monster Jam at the new Tim's Toyota Center!!  The night started off with a big win in the wheelie contest for Scott Anderson in Arachnaphobia. The donut contest would see Alex Blackwell winning in his first show behind the wheel of Grave Digger.  But the rest of the night would belong to Marc MacDonald in Safe Auto, as he defeated Daron Basl in El Matador to win racing, and followed that up by picking up the freestyle win as well.  See below for some of Lauren & Lynette's teasers from the show, and be watching for more pictures as they head down to Tucson, AZ for tomorrow's events as well!!

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