Monster Mutt Takes the Early Series Lead

Houston, Texas (January 3, 2015) – Fans in Houston witnessed an incredible start to the 2015 Monster Jam^® season tonight at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, with the debut of the much anticipated Monster Jam FOX Sports 1 Championship Series. Monster Mutt and Dustin Brown set the tone for the brand new 9-city points-generating championship series by winning the first stop on the tour and earning three points toward the overall championship.

El Toro Loco, driven by Chuck Werner, was the fastest racing qualifier of the night earning the first ever point in the championship series. Taking home the first ever point in the Monster Jam Obstacle Course competition was Monster Mutt. In the racing final, Grave Digger and Charlie Pauken drove to the overall race win edging out El Toro Loco in a photo finish.

The Monster Jam Freestyle competition was highlighted by some epic crashes and saves, including a Monster Mutt backflip. In the end, Monster Mutt managed to fend off the entire field of 16 Monster Jam trucks, including Avenger and Lucas Oil Crusader who tied for second in freestyle scoring, but didn’t qualify for any series points.

“What a great way for my team to start the Monster Jam FOX Sports 1 Championship Series here in Houston, my entire family is here at the same stadium where I got my start,” said Monster Mutt driver Dustin Brown. “You Houston fans were incredible; we’re onto Atlanta next Saturday!”

On the line for the 16 Monster Jam trucks at the end of the 9-city Monster Jam FOX Sports 1 Championship Series are four automatic bids to Monster Jam World Finals℠ XVI at Las Vegas’ Sam Boyd Stadium on March 26-28, and the first ever series championship.

Houston Points Summary
Monster Jam Fastest Qualifier – El Toro Loco (Chuck Werner): 1 point
Monster Jam Obstacle Course – Monster Mutt (Dustin Brown): 1 point
Monster Jam Racing – Grave Digger (Charlie Pauken): 2 points
Monster Jam Freestyle – Monster Mutt (Dustin Brown): 2 points
Monster Jam ATV Racing Heat 1 Winner – El Toro Loco: 1 point
Monster Jam ATV Racing Heat 2 Winner – Wrecking Crew: 1 point
Monster Jam ATV Racing Main Event Winner – Titan: 2 points

Monster Jam FOX Sports 1 Championship Series Point Standings
1. Monster Mutt^® (Dustin Brown): 3 points
2. Grave Digger^® (Charlie Pauken): 2 points
3. El Toro Loco^® (Chuck Werner): 1 point
4. Avenger (Jim Koehler): 0 points
5. Bad News (Brandon Derrow): 0 points
6. Hooked (Steven Sims Jr): 0 points
7. Lucas Oil Crusader^® (Linsey Weenk): 0 points
8. Madusa^®: 0 points
9. Max-D℠ (Neil Elliott): 0 points
10. Monster Energy (Damon Bradshaw): 0 points
11. Stone Crusher (Steve Sims): 0 points
12. Thunder 4×4 (Jim Bendzick): 0 points
13. Titan (Donald Epidendio): 0 points
14. War Wizard (Darren Goin): 0 points
15. Wrecking Crew (Steve Koehler): 0 points
16. Zombie℠ (Bari Musawwir): 0 points

The Monster Jam FOX Sports 1 Championship Series makes its next tour stop at Atlanta’s Georgia Dome next Saturday, January 10. The entire 9-city tour can be watched only on FOX Sports 1, beginning next Sunday, January 11.