El Toro Loco

Armando Castro

2024 Truck El Toro Loco 2024 Tour Arena Championship Series East Hometown Whittier, Calif. Birthday September 8, 1996
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Armando Castro grew up a “super fan” of Monster Jam who attended many events in Southern California. He never gave up on his dreams and began competing in Monster Jam himself in 2017. He is the 2019 Monster Jam World Finals Speedster Racing Champion and was named the 2021 Rising Star of the Year. Outside of Monster Jam, Armando is a registered Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • 2019 Monster Jam World Finals Speedster Racing Champion
  • 2021 Rising Star of the Year

ABOUT ARMANDO

 

  • What are some of your interests/hobbies/favorite pastimes?
    Some of my interests and hobbies include going to my local racetrack and watching some drag or oval racing. I also love spending time with my family and always finding new adventures.
  • Who are your role models?
    My role models would have to be the man himself, Dennis Anderson and Monster Jam World Finals champion Tom Meents.
  • Do you have any ‘pre-show’ rituals you run through?
    I have to be listening to music to relax my mind and to get focused.
  • What’s something a lot of people don’t know about you?
    A lot of people don’t know that I am an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician).
  • What is your favorite memory on or off the racetrack?
    My favorite memory on the track would be running down the race lane and feeling the horsepower as I am taking off. My favorite memory off the track would be when fans come up to me and ask for a photo or autograph.
  • What is your most prized possession?
    My most prized possession would have to be my certification to becoming an EMT. It was such an accomplishment and something that I hold on to very tightly.

LIFE ON THE ROAD

 

  • What is the best and worst thing about being on the road every weekend with Monster Jam?
    The best would be traveling around the world and experiencing new places you’ve always wanted to visit and meeting new Monster Jam fans everywhere. The worst thing is being away from my family.
  • While on the road, what is your favorite thing to do during your free time?
    In my free time I love to sight see and experience new places and foods.
  • How do you keep fit?
    We stay fit by eating right, hitting the gym and always staying active as much as we can.
  • What item(s) can you not live without while traveling on the road with Monster Jam?
    My phone to stay in contact with my family and my fan to keep me relaxed and cold while I sleep.
  • What is your favorite city to travel to?
    Honestly I would say Las Vegas.

CAREER

 

  • How did you get started competing in Monster Jam?
    I have always been a Monster Jam super fan and I told myself I would never give up until I had the opportunity to drive for Monster Jam. Here I am now, living my dream.
  • What is your favorite part about competing in Monster Jam?
    My favorite thing about competing in Monster Jam would be meeting all of the Monster Jam fans. If it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t be here.
  • How would you describe your driving style?
    Crazy, big air, fast, edge-of-your-seat and wow!
  • What advice would you give to kids who want to become a Monster Jam driver?
    Never give up on my dreams. The sky is never the limit and if you want something, you can make it happen. Your future is in your hands and it’s up to you do what you want with it.
  • What is your greatest memory as a Monster Jam driver?
    It has to be when I drove a Monster Jam truck for the first time. Feeling the roar and hearing the 1,500 horsepower and vibrations throughout my entire body is something I will never forget.
  • Who in Monster Jam do you look up to for inspiration?
    Being a super fan, I look up to all of the drivers. But in all honesty I would have to say Dennis Anderson and Tom Meents.

FUN FACTS

 

  • What’s your favorite movie?
    Step Brothers
  • What’s your favorite television show?
    Cops
  • What’s your favorite color?
    Red
  • What’s your favorite thing to eat?
    Lasagna
  • How would your friend and family describe you?
    Funny, crazy, outgoing and up for new things.

ARENA SERIES EAST
CHAMPION: WESTON ANDERSON
Grave Digger

POINTS THROUGH May 14, 2023

Position Name Truck Points Behind
1 Weston Anderson Grave Digger 1656 -
2 Armando Castro El Toro Loco 1404 -252
3 Dalton Widner/Paul Jensen Jurassic Attack 1278 -378
4 Linsey Read Scooby-Doo 1208 -448
5 Bernard Lyght/Dustin Brown Megalodon 1112 -544
6 Chad Tingler Zombie 831 -825
7 Hunter Souza Earth Shaker 768 -888
8 Frank Krmel Stone Crusher 632 -1024
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