Monster Jam

    • World Finals XXII Superstar Challenge Podcast News Toys Sign Up FAQ

    Weekend Recap: Grave Digger Rises in Week 5

    Authored by Larry Jewett on February 6, 2023

    Advertisement

    Grave Digger drivers dominated the stadiums, while a new leader has taken charge in Arena Series West.

     

    Stadium Series Blue – Tyler Menninga (Grave Digger) captured both event championships as the series moved to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The series points leader also took both Great Clips Skills competitions but had to share the Freestyle spotlight with Ryan Anderson (Son-uva Digger). Anderson took both Racing championships, running his streak to three in a row after last week’s win in Houston. The series heads back to Southern California for two events in Anaheim Feb. 11–12.

     

    Stadium Series Red – Adam Anderson (Grave Digger) denied the other drivers the event championship spotlight, winning both competitions at Raymond James Stadium. Anderson’s consistency both days also led to single wins in Racing, Skills and Freestyle over the course of the weekend. Nick Pagliarulo (Kraken) returned to the scene of his first career Freestyle win and promptly added his second career Freestyle win with Saturday night’s triumph. Camden Murphy (Bakugan Dragonoid) took his third Racing win of the season and added a Skills championship as well. The series heads west to Houston for a single event Saturday, Feb. 11.

     

     

    Arena Series East – Monster Jam’s second visit to UBS Arena in Belmont Park, NY, brought three more event championships for Weston Anderson (Grave Digger), who has earned nine so far this season in 17 tries. Armando Castro (El Toro Loco) took the other event championship. Anderson was a three-time winner in Donuts and picked up a pair of Freestyle victories, while Castro dominated the timed racing segment with three victories. Dalton Widner (Jurassic Attack) returned to his winning ways with a Racing title, while Hunter Souza (Earth Shaker) overcame mechanical issues to record a Donut win. The series moves to Pittsburgh Feb. 10–12.

     

     

    Arena Series Central – Brandon Vinson (Grave Digger) opened the weekend in Providence on Friday night with a perfect sweep, capturing all of the night’s competitions. Zack Garner (Wild Side) swept the event championships on Saturday for his first two event championships of the season before Vinson returned to the top of the leader board in the Sunday finale. Vinson claimed three Freestyle wins, with Tony Ochs (ThunderROARus) earning the other weekend Freestyle win. And Brandan Tulachka (Just Get ER Done II) recorded his first Skills competition victory of the season. After the cold of New England, the series heads to Birmingham, Alabama and the potential for warmer weather Feb 11–12.

     

     

    Arena Series West – Tristan England (Earth Shaker) had the hot hand in a cold Fargo, ND, as Arena Series West thrilled fans with a Saturday doubleheader. In winning both events, England moved to the top of the point standings and now sits 10 points ahead of Elvis Lainez (El Toro Loco). Lainez could only muster a single Freestyle as England swept Skills. David Olfert (Velociraptor) added a Racing win, while Krysten Anderson (Grave Digger) earned a Donut victory. The series moves to Denver Feb 10–12 for the annual visit to Ball Arena.

    Advertisement