Friday
The action returned to the Breslin Center on the campus of Michigan State University Friday night with the Thunder Nationals roaring at a fever pitch. Fans came early and stayed late to see the action of the monsters and quads. Also featured was the BMX Freestyle team. Fans were on their feet for most of the night cheering for their favorites.
It was almost an all Michigan lineup of monsters. Avenger, Brutus, Destroyer, and Lil Miss Dangerous, all trucks from Michigan were on hand. The lone out of state truck was Gravedigger who, as all fans know, is from Kill Devil Hills, N.C.
Jocelyn Perrin of Lil Miss Dangerous spent the afternoon showing off her new daughter to the officials and other competitors. Then mom got to work making her way to the semi finals in racing.
Results for all competitions are as follows:
Wheelie contest winner: Gravedigger with 26
Donut contest winner: Avenger with 29
Freestyle winner Gravedigger with a perfect 30
Racing:
Round #1
Destroyer beat Brutus
Lil Miss Dangerous over Avenger
Gravedigger got a bye run as the winner of freestyle
Round #2 Semi-Finals:
Destroyer took out Lil Miss Dangerous
Gravedigger beat fast looser Avenger
Final
Gravedigger beat Destroyer in a close battle.
Quad Wars racing saw Team MSU beat Team U of Illinois in a captains challenge after the Illinois team won a controversial main event bout.
Fans are promised another great event tomorrow evening at 8pm. Doors open at 7 with a party in the pits from 5:30 to 6:30pm.
Saturday
ThunderNationals continue to bring the best action to fans around the country and tonight's event was no exception. With trucks like Avenger, Lil Miss Dangerous, Destroyer, Brutusm and Gravedigger, it was over two hours of nonstop action.
The winner in the Wheelie contest was Gravedigger beating Destroyer by one point. Destroyer, driven by Dan Evans, got a 28 after walking the truck over the cars. Rod Schmidt of Gravedigger drove the same course but then continued the wheelie off the cars and on the track. The judges gave Digger a 29 but held back on a perfect 30.
The donut contest ended in a tie between teammates Chris Bergeron of Brutus and Jim Kohler of Avenger. Each truck got a perfect 30 from the judges for their power wheelies. When the time came for a cheeroff, both drivers were content to let the team win and agreed to let the rest of the night determine the winner.
Monster Freestyle competition results:
Lil Miss Dangerous 20
Brutus 26
Destroyer 22
Avenger 29
Gravedigger 30
Gravedigger broke during the freestyle win and it seemed as though the truck could not come back for racing. During intermission, ALL the drivers and crewmembers of all teams worked to get Digger fixed for racing. The display of sportsmanship was incredible.
Racing results:
Round one
Destroyer over Lil Miss Dangerous
Avenger over Brutus
Gravedigger got a bye run due to his freestyle win.
Round#2 Semi Final:
Gravedigger over fast looser Lil Miss Dangerous
Avenger over Destroyer
Final:
Gravedigger over Avenger
Quad Wars saw Team MSU defeat U. of Ill. in the main after falling in the two heat matches.
The Ride and Grind Freestyle team thrilled the crowd with their extreme sports demonstration.
