INTRODUCTIONS

i had never seen anything quite like the introduction show that was put on before the event.  The stadium went dark, and the trucks came out a few at at time, parking around the course, until Maximum Destruction and Grave Digger blasted out of the pit area and raced around the course.  Anderson and Digger took a wild ride after a rough landing and flipped the truck over in Intros!!  The crowd went nuts, but Anderson seemed pretty unhappy about the turn of events in an interview afterwards.  Unfortunately, because it was so dark and I was still learning how to use the camera, I was unable to get any shots of Digger's tumble.

RACING

For the racing part of the show, I spent much of my time trying to figure out how to get my camera to take decent shots while the trucks were moving around the course so fast, but to little avail.  Grave Digger laid down a scorching qualifying time, beating Maximum Destruction and the rest of the field falling in toe.  For some reason, neither El Toro Loco or Bounty Hunter would participate in the racing part of the show (would later hear that it was mechanical problems, although it was never even mentioned to the crowd).  The first round went along pretty much as expected, although it was obvious that the trucks were having trouble cornering, with a number of near turn-overs and no particularly close races.

Round 1

Grave Digger Defeats Destroyer

Hot Wheels Defeats Scarlet Bandit

Devastator Defeats Wild Hair

Maximum Destruction Defeats Blue Thunder

The Semi-Finals saw more mechanical difficulty as Hot Wheels was unable to start up and Scarlet Bandit was moved forward to face off against the Digger.  Anderson made quick work of Dawn Creten and advanced on to the Championship round.  Maximum Destruction and Devastator had what could probably be called the best race of the night, with Meents just edging Schroeder at the line.  The victory by Maximum Destruction set up the match-up that everyone wanted to see, Anderson vs. Meents, the sports two most dominant drivers, facing off against one another for all the marbles in St. Louis.

Semi-Final Round

Grave Digger Defeats Scarlet Bandit

Maximum Destruction Defeats Devastator

(no pic)

The Final Round was shaping up to be an awesome race but as the trucks launched off the line.  However, Anderson got crossed up in the turn, almost flipped the truck for the second time of the night, and handed Meents the win.

FINAL ROUND
 

Maximum Destruction Defeats Grave Digger

Next up was Freestyle, and my wife and I were pumped up!!  The racing hadn't been the greatest ever, but for myself who hadn't been to a monster truck event in ages, and my wife who had never been to one, it had been awesome show.  Never having seen a freestyle competition in person though, I was really excited!!

FREESTYLE!!