Linsey Read

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2023 Truck Scooby-Doo 2023 Tour Arena Championship Series East Hometown El Paso, TX Birthday February 7

Linsey Read started competing in Monster Jam in 2016 and quickly made her mark in arena competition. She finished second in all three Freestyle events in her first weekend of competition against veterans while winning wheelie competition on the third night. Her performance in Freestyle set the stage for big things to come. In 2019, Linsey Read made the headlines at Monster Jam World Finals XX by winning the Double Down Showdown to race herself into the main field. She then capitalized on the opportunity by winning the Freestyle Championship!

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2019 Monster Jam World Finals Freestyle Champion
2019 Double Down Showdown Champion

ABOUT LINSEY

What are some of your interests/hobbies/favorite pastimes?
It is hard to answer this question, I have so many interests and hobbies that I absolutely love. To list a few – Monster Jam, off-roading, wake boarding, wake surfing, camping, fishing, snowboarding and family time. I love adventure. My husband, our kids and I will always try anything new!
Who are your role models?
My mother plays a huge part in my life. I would definitely have to say she is my main role model. She works so hard to achieve her goals even though she is a single mother of four kids! She has taught me everything I know. As far as a Monster Jam goes, I look up to the older generation of drivers. They are the ones I grew up watching and the ones that have made me want to be a part of this wonderful sport. It’s amazing to see how far Monster Jam has come.
Do you have any ‘pre-show’ rituals you run through?
The first thing I do is check out the track to see where all of the hits are and to have an idea of what I might want to do. You can’t ever plan out exactly what you will do in a show. No matter what you will always end up somewhere you didn’t think you would be and have to hit a different jump. What’s why it is good to know exactly where everything is. Then, I always belt in and put on my safety equipment to make sure everything is perfect before going out to tear it up!
What’s something a lot of people don’t know about you?
I am allergic to chicken! Who’s allergic to chicken?
What is your favorite memory on or off the racetrack?
My favorite memory would have to be Oklahoma City in 2016. That was the first show my family was able to watch me perform at. That was the most nervous I have ever been, I wanted to make them proud. I ended up taking home my first-ever donut win! And it didn’t end there, I also pulled off a freestyle win! Being able to give my family trophies to take home was an unforgettable experience.

LIFE ON THE ROAD

What is the best and worst thing about being on the road every weekend with Monster Jam?
The best thing about being on the road is getting to meet new people from all over. You get to finally meet a fan that follows you on social media or meet someone at their first show and see the excitement on their faces! The worst part about being on the road is being away from your loved ones. Luckily for me, my loved ones like to travel so we get to do this as a family!
While on the road, what is your favorite thing to do during your free time?
I love to explore new places. Whether it be sight-seeing or trying out a new restaurant. There is always that one meal or place that makes every town unique and I like to find that. It’s all about making memories.
How do you keep fit?
I don’t go to the gym to keep fit. I go out in my front yard and chop wood. I’m a very active person in my day-to-day life and that’s what keeps me fit. My family loves to be outdoors so we are always doing something to keep us moving.
What item(s) can you not live without while traveling on the road with Monster Jam?
I cannot live without my phone. I know that is a very girly thing to say, but I can’t imagine trying to figure out where to go in a new town I’ve never been to without a GPS. Also, it is how I keep in contact with my loved ones while I’m gone. Being able to talk to them before a show to get a good luck pepe talk is much needed!
What is your favorite city to travel to? Why?
I would say my favorite city while on the road has been Pensacola, Florida. It was absolutely beautiful. If you haven’t been, I highly recommend going. Not only were there awesome fans there, but they had two restaurants that my husband and I fell in love with – Peg Let Petes and Shaggy’s! The fishing there was amazing too. A group of us took a charter boat out one day and had a blast! I caught my largest fish there.

CAREER

How did you get started competing in Monster Jam?
In El Paso, we have a Monster Jam show every March. A bunch of locals used to take their street legal trucks and race them on the same track as the Monster Jam trucks. I did that two years in a row and did really well. After the second time, I had Lee O’Donnell approach me and ask if I would like to be a driver. Thinking there was no way and I was dreaming, I told him yes! After that we got everything put together and the training began and now, here I am today… living the dream!
What is your favorite part about competing in Monster Jam?
My favorite part about Monster Jam is how you feel you are a part of a big family. Yes, we are competitors when the helmets go on but I’ve never met anyone that wasn’t willing to share a word of advice or help cease nerves before a show. Of course, we can’t forget about all of the fans that come out to support us every weekend. Without our fans, we are nothing. I do this to see the smiles and laughs from every single person in the stands. At the end of the day, that’s is what matters.
How would you describe your driving style?
My first year competing in a Monster Jam truck was on an arena course. The thing I loved to do most was get as much as possible inside a tiny space. I loved to see the looks on people’s faces as these 10,000 pound trucks took flight across the arena floor. I just think to myself what I would like to see if I was at a show watching and try my best to do that for the fans.
What advice would you give to kids who want to become a Monster Jam driver?
I would tell them the same thing I am going to tell my daughter and my two step-daughters – dare to dream big and live without fear. Don't ever let someone bring you down. Chase your dreams, work hard and be humble and nothing can stop you. It’s not all about who you know but about who you stood out to being you are.
What is your greatest memory as a Monster Jam driver?
There’s no way I can pick one memory to be my favorite. Every part of being a driver is my favorite. To the little kids that come to the shows to their grandparents coming out, they make my job worth showing up for.
Who in Monster Jam do you look up to for inspiration?
I look up to everyone for inspiration. No two drivers will ever be the same. Everyone has their own unique styles that they are known for and are great at. I love watching everyone out there. I take bits and pieces from every driver whether it be a first-time driver or one of the first ones in the sport.

FUN FACTS

Do you have any nicknames?
My grandmother calls me NeeNee, my step-daughters call be Ella and my friends call me Linda.
What’s your favorite movie?
Twister
What’s your favorite television show?
I don’t watch TV enough to have one.
What’s your favorite color?
White
What’s your favorite thing to eat?
I love all foods… except chicken!
What’s your favorite restaurant on the road?
Whataburger
How would your friend and family describe you?
Definitely adventurous. My family knows that I am always up for trying something new.

Linsey Read GALLERY

ARENA SERIES EAST
CHAMPION: WESTON ANDERSON

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