New Orleans, LA - Mercedes-Benz Superdome

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Trucks: USHRA Monster Trucks including Grave Digger® driven by Charlie Pauken, Maximum Destruction® driven by Tom Meents, Advance Auto Parts Grinder℠ driven by John Seasock, El Toro Loco® driven by Becky McDonough, Avenger driven by Jim Koehler, Wrecking Crew driven by Steve Koehler, Brutus driven by Chris Bergeron, Spike driven by Rich Hilgendorf, Eradicator driven by Andy Slifko, Backdraft driven by Jeremy Slifko, Bad Habit driven by Joe Sylvester, Ground Pounder, Ice Monster, and Team Hot Wheels® driven by Dan Evans!


Saturday 7pm

After a year’s absence, Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam returned to New Orleans, ready to show the fans just what was missed last year. They more than made up for lost time as the enthusiastic crowd ate up every second of the non-stop action.

With nearly 14,000 fans on the floor during the Party in the Pits, the drivers had a chance to meet those who would be screaming for big air all night long. It didn’t take long for the action to get started. After a rousing opening ceremony, the monsters were called to the line for racing elimination. Advance Auto Parts Grinder hooked hard going around a turn and toppled over to give the win to Spike. The Grinder crew went to work immediately to have the truck ready for the Advance Auto Parts Service is Our Best Part Freestyle later in the program. The flip wouldn’t be the only one for the first round. Brutus gained a lead on Grave Digger in a drag race to the finish and the last ditch effort resulted in the truck tumbling, bending a four-link bar. Avenger, Hot Wheels, Bad Habit (who had mechanical issues and nearly didn’t answer the call), Maximum Destruction and El Toro Loco joined Spike and Brutus as round one winners. Eradicator was given the fast loser pass to move into the second round. Veteran Andy Slifko promptly made the best of the advantage sending Spike packing. Brutus gained the win as Avenger flipped on the turn, sliding into a parked Maximum Destruction. Hot Wheels took care of Bad Habit and Maximum Destruction, unharmed in the contact, won out over El Toro. Eradicator added another win to earn a finals pass while Maximum Destruction would round out the UTI finals.

The Eradicator-Maximum Destruction meeting of these two drivers marked the second time this season that it happened – the first in Rochester, New York on January 6 won by Eradicator. This time, Eradicator had to play catch up as 2011 World Racing Champion Tom Meents and Maximum Destruction were not to be denied. This marked the second time of the night that Maximum Destruction beat Eradicator.

Despite the carnage from racing, all 14 trucks were able to toe the mark for the Advance Auto Parts Service is Our Best Part Freestyle. Ground Pounder came out to open the run and suffered a flat left rear tire during bonus time. The 20 score gave competitors something to think about and nearly became an insurmountable obstacle. Michigan Ice Monster rolled half way through the run, Bad Habit broke a bar at the conclusion of regulation, so neither could raise the score. El Toro Loco flipped at the halfway mark and Eradicator took it the distance before he too was on his lid. Still, no one could get to the 20 mark, though Bad Habit did manage a 19. Wrecking Crew didn’t make it into bonus time, but the score was enough to earn a tie for a lead. That honor was short lived as Hot Wheels filled the performance to the end, scoring a 24. Backdraft added a 21 to his record and Brutus earned a tie for the lead with a 24 that included several great saves. A battered Advance Auto Parts Grinder hit the floor, only to roll for the second time of the night, this time with 18 seconds left in freestyle. A 21 couldn’t wipe the smile from driver John Seasock’s face as he went to the stands to give away the truck’s flag. The 2011 World Freestyle Champion Jim Koehler gave a good representation of what it takes to be the champ. With no bonus and a truck on its side, his effort wowed the judges with a triple 9. The bar was suddenly really high. Two trucks remaining were undaunted by the task. Grave Digger, fresh off a couple hours of repair, was prepared to burn it down. Charlie Pauken kept at it until the left front wheel fell off and then he kept going some more until the truck dug in. His effort brought a score of 28 and the new lead. Maximum Destruction, the only truck that could Double Down, was on a mission. Hearing that his teammate had Doubled Down in Orlando, Meents wanted to match that feat. With little room at the top, Maximum Destruction squeezed out a 29 and the popular Double Down victory.

The New Orleans fans were also treated to trailer racing with Ronnie Coste’s LSU paint scheme showcased in victory lane. Robosaurus destroyed cars to the delight of young and old.

Racing
Round One – Spike defeated Advance Auto Parts Grinder, Avenger got by Ground Pounder, Brutus outraced Grave Digger, Hot Wheels stalled Wrecking Crew, Maximum Destruction knocked off Eradicator, El Toro Loco thawed the Michigan Ice Monster, Bad Habit got the best of Backdraft

Round Two – Eradicator (round one fast loser) stopped Spike, Brutus bypassed Avenger, Hot Wheels powered past Bad Habit, Maximum Destruction stopped the charge of El Toro Loco

Semifinals – Eradicator nipped Brutus, Maximum Destruction took out Hot Wheels

UTI Racing Finals – Maximum Destruction slipped past Eradicator

Advance Auto Parts Service is our Best Part Freestyle
Maximum Destruction – 9-8-9-3 = 29
Grave Digger – 8-8-8-4 = 28
Avenger – 9-9-9 = 27
Brutus – 7-8-7-2 = 24
Hot Wheels – 7-8-7-2 = 24
Backdraft – 7-7-7 = 21
Advance Auto Parts Grinder – 7-7-7 = 21
Wrecking Crew – 7-7-6 = 20
Ground Pounder – 7-7-6 = 20
Bad Habit – 6-6-7 = 19
Eradicator – 5-6-5-1 = 17
El Toro Loco – 4-5-5 = 14
Spike – 4-4-5-1 = 14
Michigan Ice Monster – 4-5-5 = 14

By Larry Jewett