MusicCityNashville.net: Monster Jam Is a Really Big Deal in Nashville

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Monster Jam Is a Really Big Deal in Nashville

by Rich and Laura Lynch

Monster Jam was a really big deal in Nashville, Tennessee. Monster Jam is a truck show that has a strong following and is like no other! The series began in 1992 and is sanctioned under the umbrella of the United States Hot Rod Association. Each Monster Truck weights about 12,000 pounds and they are packed with big personalities. The truck bodies are custom-built and constructed of fiberglass and have to be transported in special trailers that often have spare parts as these vehicles take a beating during competitions.

Monster Jam Is a Really Big Deal in Nashville

Monster Jam held three big sessions at the Bridgestone Arena.

In Nashville, there were three events that took place over January 07 and 08, 2023 at the Bridgestone Arena. It was the circuit's third stop of the 2023 season which is scheduled to conclude in Music City on July 01. 2023 at Nissan Stadium for what is being billed as the Monster Jam World Finals XXII. Interestingly, in addition to their North American run the trucks will be heading overseas on a number of dates proving that the series has widespread international appeal.

The G.O.A.T. of Monster Jam - Grave Digger!

We were some of the big kids in attendance on Saturday night but there were plenty of excited youngsters in the crowd with many sporting head phones as Monster Trucks with engines that generate 1,500 horsepower are loud. If the sound and visuals are not enough Monster Jam gives their fans the opportunity to provide the scores for several competitions at each event. During the Skills Challenge, Donut, and/or Freestyle Competitions, folks are encouraged to use their mobile device and log into JudgesZone.com and assign points.

El Toro Loco came away from Saturday night just a little worse for the wear.

After the National Anthem, the big trucks contending in Nashville were introduced. Monster Jam has many more designs and drivers but a queue of eight kept the evening moving at a good pace. Fan favorite Grave Digger was joined by some fun ones such Jurassic Attack that looked like a dinosaur and Megalodon who mimicked a shark. Racing was the first challenge of the night. The trucks circled the arena in pairs. Then, the winners advanced until only two remained with the final run determining the champion. On Saturday night, El Toro bulldozed his way to the top for 8 points.

Jurassic Attack was a big hit with the dinosaur loving younger fans in the house.

Next, Skills Challenge gave the drivers multiple opportunities to stage their best stunts with the goal of bringing at least two wheels into the air. Grave Digger prevailed with what looked like a two wheeled head-stand but the whimsical Scooby-Doo and Earth Shaker who pays homage to hard working people also performed a number of impressive tricks. Head-stands are not as easy as Grave Digger made it seem as El Toro in his attempt ended up with some mechanical and cosmetic damage. His crew worked hard to repair him but the beast missed out on the next event.

Megalodon - duuunnnnnnnn dun dun dun dun dun dunnnnnnnnnnn dunnnn.

At half time, four motorcycle riders from FMX completed a number of freestyle jumps that culminated in a death defying Train in which the bikes follow each other in quick succession while doing a ramp trick. But, soon it was back to Monster Jam and Donuts had the monsters work in designated flat areas with the objective to rotate the vehicle as many times and as quickly as possible. In Nashville, there was some debate that one side of the track was tackier but that is part of the sport. Grave Digger ate up the competition on this one.

Zombie Arms were flying high in the arena all night long.

Freestyle as the name implies gave the drivers the opportunity to execute stunts throughout the floor area with the clock ticking. A number of trucks did flips which seems to be the hardest trick of all. Grave Digger presented a number of high jumps but ended up rolling over and not using all of his time. Thus, the battered El Toro who was missing his hood prevailed with a flip paired with some impressive jumps. Perhaps, if the bull participated in Donuts he could have prevented Grave Digger from winning the Overall End Points on Saturday night. But, the most famous truck on the souped up circuit won again on Saturday evening in Nashville just as it did last year. The only difference was this time the likable Weston Anderson was behind the wheel of the much touted truck.

These amazing drivers are gearing up for a return to Nashville for the World Finals.

An extra special bonus this year was delivered by Bernard Lyght who was driving Megalodon but was also doing double duty as the evening's entertaining and athletic emcee. When not manning the controls of his custom built shark-themed car, the charismatic Bernard was doing back flips, working hard to get the most out of the big Bridgestone crowd and leading several rounds of the wave including slow-motion and sped up varieties. Lyght was truly a bright spot on this night and a real Monster Jam star in the making.

Grave Digger gets another victorious result in Music City.

Monster Jam was a really big deal in Nashville, Tennessee and as mentioned they will be back July 01, 2023 with more action from drivers and trucks with big personalities - so get your tickets now!