Lexington, KY - Rupp Arena

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Trucks: USHRA Monster Trucks including Grave Digger® driven by Paul Cohen, Virginia Giant driven by Diehl Wilson, Lil' Miss Dangerous is High Maintenance driven by Jocelyn Perrin, Full Boar driven by Ed Eckert, Heavy Hitter driven by Deric Anson and just added: Bad News Travels Fast driven by Brandon Derrow!

 

Saturday night 7:30pm

The Blue Grass State, specifically Lexington seemed awfully ready tonight for some Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam action. Everything from quad wars, the Galactron vs Reptar battle, even a fiery freefall from the steel beamed rafters, and yes, no doubt about it, monster trucks!

The Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam Wheelie Contest was the first one on the program. It was to be the first of a “Double Down” night for our winner. Before we get to HER, let’s talk about the rest of the field. The newcomer to the series as well as our sport, 23 year old Brandon Darrow & his “Bad News Travels Fast Chevy” surprised everyone including himself by grabbing the lead and the hot seat early on. Ed Eckert & Full Boar along with Diehl Wilson & Virginia Giant topped Brandon’s score. Much to the delight of the ladies of all ages in the Rupp Arena tonight, the highest score and Wheelie Championship went to Jocelyn Perrin & her “Little Miss Dangerous is High Maintenance” The Willys.

When the entire field of monsters whittled their way through the field on the way to the UTI Monster Jam Racing Finals, (I don’t think this guy is EVER going to retire) Diehl Wilson and Virginia Giant hoisted the championship for himself.

Next up was the Donut/Cyclone/Spin Cycle competition. Only 2 trucks were really able to pull off a real, true spin cycle. Jocelyn Perrin/Little Miss Dangerous nearly pulled off the first double down of the night. That was until Paul Cohen and Grave Digger ripped off a 4 wheel “SMOKING” SPIN CYCLE. Painfully obvious to the most avid “Lil Miss D” fans, the win went to Cohen and Digger.
Finally the Monster Jam Freestyle Championship. A tough layout, slick floor, and stiff competitors didn’t not make this a slam dunk for anyone. The best that “the best in the business” could muster up for scores tonight was a pair of 19s by Virginia Giant and GraveDigger. But there had to be a real winner, someone that was bound to score higher than anyone else. The fans were treated to a “Double Down” winner tonight and it was a popular win with the “ladies.” Jocelyn Perrin and “Little Miss Dangerous is High Maintenance” scored a 20 and the Championship in The UTI Monster Jam Freestyle.
A few of the drivers are licking their wounds tonight as they prepare for tomorrow afternoon. A little wrenching to their monster trucks and we’ll see who the next set of champions are going to be.

By Scott Rehn

Sunday 2pm

The final show of what has been such a fantastic weekend here at the Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY culminated in a history making event for a few drivers this afternoon. A great turn out for the Advance Auto Parts Party in The Pits lead into a wonderful family feeling between the drivers and the fans all the way through the end of the show.

Once again the first element of the afternoon was the Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam Wheelie Contest. As it turned out, our first monster to hit the floor would end up securing the highest score and the win. Besting the likes of Ed Eckert and Full Boar, both Jocelyn Perrin & Little Miss Dangerous” and new comer, Brandon Darrow & Bad News Travels Fast. And yes, even Paul Cohen & Grave Digger. I am talking about the driver who is a Kentucky native. His FIRST time ever in a Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam event. A new name, a new truck, a new driver, and more than anything else, a new champion. From Fairville, KY. Deric Ansom & his Heavy Hitter Chevrolet, welcome to the Monster Jam family!

In the racing portion of the afternoon, it wasn’t a newcomer at all taking the UTI Monster Jam Racing Championship. It was the experienced veteran, Diehl Wilson & Virginia Giant besting the entire field.
The Monster Jam Donut Competition was next up and it was a whole different animal. It was a high scoring contest and tightly competitive event between all our drivers, but saving the best for last proved to be beneficial for Paul Cohen & Grave Digger. About as good as you can get in scoring a 29, Paul & Digger claimed the win.

Now finally, what a LOT of our fans had been waiting for all afternoon, the Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam Freestyle Contest. It was an incredibly impressive run for our eventual winner and a very popular one at that. Paul Cohen wasn’t about to make it a close decision for our judges, he wanted to make it an easy one. That it was. Cohen & Digger outdid the competition by a TON in becoming our second “Double Down” winner of the weekend in winning the freestyle championship.

I’d have to say that after spending a weekend in the middle of winter in Lexington Kentucky, I would highly recommend everyone come and experience the area and some of the friendliest people you’ll find anywhere. Thank You Lexington, we had a great time!

By Scott Rehn