Monster Jam is coming to Kansas City! This action-packed event featuring the biggest monster trucks and motorsports athletes in the world will take place on October 21-22, 2023 at T-Mobile Center. Fans are eager to find out which trucks and drivers will be competing this year. Some of the fan-favorites expected to appear include Grave Digger, Max-D, El Toro Loco, and Monster Mutt. Drivers like Tom Meents, Adam Anderson, Charlie Pauken, and more top competitors are likely to be behind the wheels. This article will provide a look at who is on the roster for Monster Jam in Kansas City and give fans a preview of what to expect at the upcoming show.
What is Monster Jam?
Monster Jam is an exciting motorsports event that features giant monster trucks competing in events like racing, freestyle, donuts, and wheelies. The massive trucks, weighing about 10,000 pounds each, race over steep dirt jumps and crush over stacked cars while performing jaw-dropping stunts. Monster Jam events are filled with high-octane action that thrills fans of all ages. Some of the most iconic monster trucks in the sport’s history compete at these shows, driven by skilled drivers who travel the country on the Monster Jam circuit. Major competitions take place in stadiums and arenas in cities across the United States and Canada. Kansas City is one of the stops for Monster Jam in 2023.
History of Monster Jam
Monster Jam got its start in 1992, branching off from tractor pulling competitions. The first event featured mud racing and was called the Monster Wars. It grew in popularity throughout the 1990s as more monster trucks joined the tour. In 2000, Clear Channel formed Monster Jam as its own standalone touring series featuring the top trucks and drivers in the sport. It continued expanding over the years and now visits over 350 venues each year, entertaining millions of fans. Key moments in Monster Jam’s history include Grave Digger’s first championship in 2004 and the first-ever monster truck front flip landed by Cam McQueen in 2005. The competition and performances get bigger and more exciting each year.
Trucks and Drivers Appearing in Kansas City
Fans are eager to find out exactly which monster trucks and drivers will be competing at the upcoming Kansas City event. The roster has not been officially announced yet by Monster Jam. However, looking at schedules and lineups from nearby recent events provides clues about who is likely to participate. Based on this information, the following trucks and drivers can be expected to appear:
Grave Digger and Adam Anderson
No Monster Jam event would be complete without an appearance by the legendary Grave Digger truck, arguably the most famous and iconic monster truck of all time. Grave Digger has been racing since the 1980s and is known for its black and green wrecking machine appearance. The truck is often driven by Adam Anderson, one of the sons of original Grave Digger driver Dennis Anderson. Adam has carried the Grave Digger name and legacy into the next generation. Fans will surely be on the edge of their seats to see Grave Digger’s thunderous freestyle runs.
Max-D and Tom Meents
Another top name in monster trucks that fans will hope to see is Max-D. This yellow and black powerhouse debuted in 2000 and has been a consistent championship contender ever since. Behind the wheel of Max-D is typically the legendary driver Tom Meents, known for his daring moves like the first ever monster truck front flip. Max-D and Meents are sure to bring lots of energy and huge air to the Kansas City event.
El Toro Loco and Mark List
Known for its bright yellow bull horns and fast racing action, El Toro Loco is another fan-favorite expected to appear. This truck first joined Monster Jam in 2001 and is usually driven by the talented Mark List. He will likely be trying to guide El Toro Loco to a racing win and wow the crowd with freestyle stunts.
Monster Mutt Dalmatian and Candice Jolly
On the Monster Mutt Dalmatian truck, fans may get to see driver Candice Jolly, one of the top female drivers in the sport. She joined Monster Jam in 2011 and has since gained a large fanbase. Her exciting driving skills combined with Monster Mutt’s fierce but cute appearance makes this a great truck to watch out for.
More Trucks and Drivers
In addition to these likely appearances, more trucks and drivers that fans may see at the Kansas City event based on recent lineups include:
– Bakugan Dragonoid with Camden Murphy
– El Toro Loco with Mark List
– Grave Digger with Krysten Anderson
– Megalodon with Coty Saucier
– Monster Mutt with Tristan England
– Soldier Fortune with Kayla Blood
– Zombie with Bari Musawwir
Exciting Events at the Show
Monster Jam features different types of competitions and exhibitions designed to push the trucks to their limits. Here is a look at some of the events fans can expect to witness at the Kansas City show:
Monster Truck Racing
The iconic monster trucks will go head-to-head on a dirt track filled with jumps, turns, and straightaways. They race in brackets to determine a racing champion. The racing provides tight competition between drivers as trucks reach speeds up to 70 miles per hour.
Freestyle
In freestyle, each truck gets a chance to show off their skills during a timed run over obstacles. The drivers get creative, performing jaw-dropping stunts like big air, donuts, wheelies, and backflips (if possible). Freestyle lets the personalities of the drivers and trucks shine as they try to impress the judges and fans.
Skills Challenges
Special skills challenges like the wheelie contest and donut contest will test how much control the drivers have over their massive machines. The wheelie contest sees who can do the longest nose wheelie over a set distance. For the donut contest, the trucks spin in tight circles while judges score their technique.
High Jump and Long Jump
The high jump contest allows trucks to show off their leaping ability as they launch off a steep ramp and soar through the air. The long jump is equally exciting, with trucks hitting top speeds to fly as far as possible off a ramp and stick the landing.
Obstacle Course Racing
This challenging head-to-head race over obstacles like ramps, piles of crushed cars, and raised metal beams requires precision driving. The course pushes the trucks and drivers to their limits.
Additional Entertainment
In between competitions, Monster Jam includes other entertainment elements to keep the excitement going. Fans can expect the following additional attractions at the event:
Pit Party
Fans with premium tickets can attend the pre-show pit party where they can get up close to the massive trucks and meet the star drivers. It’s a great opportunity for photos, autographs, and to see how the trucks work.
ATV Racing
Skilled ATV riders tear up the dirt track as well, performing tricks and stunts during intense races. The ATV team adds motorsports variety to the Monster Jam lineup.
FMX
Freestyle motocross riders will also be taking flight, showing off their aerial tricks on motorcycles. Their huge jumps and backflips bring motocross excitement to the show.
Event Details
Here are some key details to know for the Monster Jam event coming to Kansas City:
When
– Saturday, October 21, 2023
– Sunday, October 22, 2023
Where
– T-Mobile Center
– 1407 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64106
Tickets
– Ticket prices start at $20 and range up to $125 for front row seats. Other premium ticket options are available for upgrades like the pit party access.
– Tickets can be purchased on Ticketmaster.com or at the T-Mobile Center box office.
Event Schedule
– Pit Party: 2:30pm – 5:30pm
– Show Starts: 7:00pm
– Show runs approximately 2.5 hours with a 15 minute intermission
Conclusion
Monster Jam in Kansas City is shaping up to be an epic event featuring some of the world’s biggest monster trucks and talented drivers. Fans can expect to see legendary trucks like Grave Digger and Max-D competing in adrenaline-pumping events like racing, freestyle, and skills challenges. Top drivers like Adam Anderson, Tom Meents, and Candice Jolly will be pushing their trucks to the limit and battling for championships. Between competitions there will also be ATV and FMX action to round out the motorsports entertainment. With premium ticket options like the pit party, there are lots of ways for fans to get in on the action. Monster Jam in Kansas City is sure to be a thrilling experience for fans of extreme trucks and motorsports.