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Weekend Race Recap

Friday -
By: Michael C. Williams
Frigid temperatures couldn’t stop the fans from making their way to the Metro Center to see some of the biggest names in monster trucks. While it may have been freezing outside, this Monster Jam was about to catch fire on the inside. We began the Monster Jam Wheelie Competition knowing that it may very well end up as a showdown between the two trucks known to be amongst the very best.
Wild Hair: 16
Hot Wheels: 18
Backdraft: 14
Eradicator: 25
Max D: 28

Andy Slifko is known for sitting the tailgate of his truck on top of the crush cars, front bumped pointing towards the rafters, and just holding it. Eradicator did just exactly that, as the crowd jumped to their feet and scored it a 25. That wheelie would have been enough to win in nearly any event. But tonight, the crowd seemed to favor the huge air of Max D. Neil had the front bumper straight up in the air as well, but at the same time, had the rear wheels above the crush cars. When the rear wheels touched the stack, Max D. just rode the wheelie across the cars and off of the other side. Monster Truck Racing began with a wild first round. The second year driver of Hot Wheels had one of his best runs of the year in taking out Backdraft. Chuck would like nothing more that to meet his racing team partner, Neil, and race him one on one. That could only happen in the finals, though. With Neil earning a bye run for his wheelie victory, it was certainly possible.

In the second race, Eradicator continued his string of strong performances by taking down Wild Hair. Backdraft made it back into the Semi Finals with the fastest losing time, but, had to face Max D. Neil made it clear that he intended to make it to the finals, as he finished first, while still flying through the air. Hot Wheels knew that he had the match up against Max D if he could only make it past Eradicator. Chuck got a little bit of help, as it turned out, from Andy’s fuel pump. Eradicator made it off the line, but blew the fuel pump in the process, leaving him stranded on the car stack. Hot Wheels took the checkered flag and was on his way to the finals. Two trucks that share a hauler and travel the country together can’t help but be good friends. Chuck and Neil are just that. But make no mistake about out it…neither one wants to lose to the other. In the finals tonight, you could feel the rivalry in the air as the two trucks staged on the start line. The experience, and perhaps the reckless attitude, of any driver behind the wheel of the Max D. monster truck proved to be the difference. When the light turned green, Neil launched his monster into the air, and across the finish line ahead of Hot Wheels. Chuck will have another chance to take on Neil during tomorrow night’s show.

In Quad Wars, the visiting team from Indiana insisted on coming to Rockford to face the home state team from Illinois. Indiana team captain, Josh Garrity, demanded that his team be called Team Colts, in a show of support for this football team preparing to take on the Bears in two days in the Super Bowl. In a show of support, Illinois team captain, Todd Atherton, answered the call that renamed his squad “Team Bears”. The stage was set, with the crowd heavily favoring their “Bears”. The Colts came out strong and won the first round. In the second round, Garrity pulled out of the race for unknown reasons, and the Bears took the easy win by finishing first and second. In the final, the Bears led the entire time, except, going into the final turn. Atherton went wide, and Garrity cut him on the inside to take the victory for the evening. The Colts antagonized the crowd by predicting a Colts sweep for the weekend, include the Super Bowl on Sunday. Atherton would not allow his fans to be talked down to, though. He came out for the last word, and not only guaranteed a Bears quad victory tomorrow, but a Super Bowl win on Sunday as well.

In tonight’s Monster Jam Doughnut Competition, three of our trucks were able to whip up a cyclone able to get the fans out of their seats.

Hot Wheels: 19
Backdraft: 9
Wild Hair: 24
Eradicator: Did not compete
Max D: 30

With Eradicator still wrenching on his fuel pump, trying to get back for Freestyle, Hot Wheels lit up the track in near perfect form. Backdraft’s tires kept hooking op on the track, and just couldn’t quite match up to what Chuck had just done. Wild Hair had the same problem, but after reversing his direction, Ray found the solution, and lit up the track up as well. The final truck, Max D., had something well above and beyond… something that these fans may have never seen. We saw two great Doughnuts, but Max D. brought it up to the next level. At one point, he was spinning so quickly in a tight circle, and all four tires seemed to rise off of the track. The crowd had the perfect score posted before Neil even let off of the gas.

Monster Jam Freestyle, not only had all five trucks ready to run, but also a surprise that would thrill the crowd.
Hot Wheels: 27
Wild Hair: 17
Backdraft: 19
Eradicator: 25
Max D: 30

Hot Wheels came out expecting to include a couple of great Doughnuts in his Freestyle. He did it earlier, but now, we had a lot of rubber on the track surface. The track was tacky, and it nearly sent Chuck over on his side early in his run. Twenty seconds later, he again made the attempt… this time his tires hooked up and over he went. After the truck landed on its lid, it slid nearly twenty feet before coming to a stop. Eradicator’s hard work got him back on the track in time to compete. He had speed and great air worked into his run. His score was strong, but not quite enough to top Hot Wheels. Even if he had, it likely would not have made a difference. When Max D hit the track, it was the type of Freestyle you could only see in the big stadium shows. Speed, doughnuts, and sick air from start to finish. Neil nearly rolled three different times taking the turns at full speed. Each time he was able to correct, and continued. Once again, the crowd had the perfect score posted before the end. He earned it, and the clean sweep for the night belonged to Neil Elliot and his monster Maximum Destruction.

Saturday -
Racing Winner: Eradicator
Freestyle Winner: Eradicator

Wheelie: Max D
Doughnut: Wild Hare

Just when you thought it couldn't get any colder outside. Tonight's below zero temperatures made the fans even more determined to have a good time tonight at the show…no doubt about it, this capacity crowd was ready to heat this place up.

Tonight's Monster Jam Wheelie contest was unmatched. We thought we had it good last night, but you could just look at the scores and see that these monsters were all gunnin' for the victory.

Wild Hare: 21
Hot Wheels: 24
Backdraft: 24
Eradicator: 29

Maximum Destruction: 30

For the second straight night, Eradicator was able to stand the rear end of the truck on top of the crush cars… and hold it. Amazing to watch, even more amazing that Andy can do it every time. His score left very little room for the final truck, Max D., to pull out a victory. Neil knew he'd have to do some huge to get the win. Adding sick air in combination to a huge wheelie, it looked like he might have it. The problem with such a huge run like this… the landing. Slamming down to the concrete track may have been the cause for the concerned look on Neil's face when he came out to accept his victory. He wrapped up the interview early saying that he wanted to get back to check out the truck. You could sense his concern. Only a few hours from his home of Paxton, IL, the last thing he wanted was breakage. He, and his crew, went to work immediately.

With the victory in Wheelie, Max D. came out first for his Bye run. The truck seemed fine as he made it to the line. But at that point when the light turned green… Max D. didn't move. Unable to make the one minute time limit to run, he was DQ'd. You could see his crew scramble… the only thing on their mind now was to make it back in time for Doughnut.

In the two first round pairings, Hot Wheels took out Wild Hair and Eradicator brought down Backdraft. With Max D. out of racing, both trucks would make it back to the Semi's, with the pairings reversed. Hot Wheels and Eradicator have both run well all weekend. Chuck took out Backdraft on his way to his second straight finals for the weekend, while Andy took down Wild Hair to make his way to the final race.

We knew that we were in for a great race. If Eradicator had not blown his fuel pump last night, this may have been his second finals for the weekend too. When the light turned green, there was no way to see who would cross first. With both trucks getting off the line quickly, it was Eradicator low and fast track that brought him the checkered flag.

In the second show on a concrete track, the Monster Jam Doughnut competition becomes much more challenging. With all of the rubber put down in the first show, the track becomes very tacky.

Hot Wheels: 18
Backdraft: 21
Eradicator: 20
Max D: --

Wild Hair: 24

With the tacky track surface, monsters had to work even harder to thrill the crowd. The crew of Max D. was still thrashing on the rear end before they had to hit the track. It became obviously, though, that it was blown. Many things can be fixed while the show continues… this, however, was a three hour repair, and would mean that Max D. was out for the night. Wild Hair and Eradicator made several attempts, and just wouldn't stop 'till they loosened up the tires and got them spinning. Ray clearly had the best run tonight, and earned his victory.

The night before the Super Bowl, we knew we'd have an excited crowd, cheering for the home team, Da Bears. The Bears came out early and took the first race, nearly lapping at least one of the Colts riders. In the second race, it was all Colts to even it up before the finals. With only one lap to go for the evening, the Colt's Captain, Josh Garrity, cut the track in half to get in front on the Bears Captain and "steel" the checkered flag. The officials met on the track immediately, and awarded the victory to Da Bears. The Colts were angry, and challenged a grudge match between just the two captains for the points, and the bragging rights. Tonight, though, belonged to Da Bears… Captain Todd Atherton taunted Garrity by turning around and waving to him just before crossing the finish line once again for the win.

Monster Jam Freestyle was the big ending that the fans were waiting for. The final truck to run would be tonight's racing winner, Eradicator. It would not be easy for Andy to get the win… he'd have to out gun Chuck in Hot Wheels to do it.

Wild Hair: 19
Backdraft: 18
Hot Wheels: 22
Max D: --

Eradicator: 25

Hot Wheels had on a huge performance, with huge air on his final two jumps. Chuck stepped it up, and had one of his best runs of the season. Andy, however, was determined to take the win. He too had huge air, and took on the van stack in the middle numerous times. This difference was clearly the fact that Andy never let off of the gas and he worked his way across the track. As a result, he had more hits on the car stacks. The fast paced Freestyle run impressed the crowd, and earned him a sweep of the major elements.