For those of you who don't know, and quite a few of you probably don't, I have been touring the country on the first ever Monster Jam Fox Sports 1 Championship Series! Since the first weekend in January, I have been to Houston, Atlanta, Tampa, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Anaheim, Dallas, Detroit, and this Saturday Syracuse, New York for the final stop. My ugly mug has even been on Fox Sports 1. And all I can say is "wow." This has been the craziest dream come true ever!
I have gotten to see some of the best stadiums in the world, along with some of the best racing and freestyle Monster Jam has to offer. This weekend, we will make Monster Jam history crowning our first ever Monster Jam Fox Sports 1 Series Champion.
16 Monster Jam trucks were paired up with 16 of the most talented drivers. The first time ever that a series championship was on the line, along with four guaranteed spots at the Monster Jam World Finals XVI in Las Vegas March 26-28th.
It started in Houston, and I was freaking out with nerves. NRG Stadium and Houston Monster Jam fans got the first glimpse at what this series was all about. El Toro Loco got the first ever point qualifying fastest. But that night, the racing winner would be Grave Digger. I have to admit, I wasn't familiar with Dustin Brown, driver of Monster Mutt, but he started the series off with a bang winning the obstacle course and Monster Jam freestyle taking the early lead in the series.
Next stop, Atlanta. So much epic Monster Jam history has been made there, and we were the next chapter. Monster Energy was fast qualifier and Zombie won obstacle course, which put both into the series chase. But it was Lucas Oil Crusader and driver Linsey Weenk who doubled down that night, winning racing and freestyle, beginning a stretch of being top dog in the series.
It was nice and warm in our third stop in Tampa. The Buc's stadium is so cool. Monster Energy grabbed his second point being fast qualifier, Monster Mutt grabbed another point in obstacle course, and Lucas Oil Crusader furthered his lead getting two points for winning racing for his second week in a row. But the big moment was watching the young gun Steven Sims in Hooked get his first big win in a stadium by tearing it down during freestyle.
Then, we were in Nap-town, Indianapolis, for stop four. This is where Max D started his run towards the top by getting one point as fast qualifier. Stone Crusher got his first point winning the obstacle course. But the other story that was building was Monster Energy winning racing. The Monster Energy and Max D story took a backseat though, because Grave Digger blew off the roof at Lucas Oil Stadium winning freestyle.
Week 5 brought us to St. Louis were an under the weather Neil Elliott won racing, and almost took freestyle too! Monster Energy was fast qualifier for the third time of the series, Zombie won obstacle course for the 2nd time, and El Toro Loco backflipped his way into the freestyle win.
We then went west to Anaheim for great weather and a spectacular night of Monster Jam at Angel's Stadium. It started with Grave Digger being fast qualifier, and Zombie taking another obstacle course win. It was this night though, that Max D could not be stopped. He won racing and freestyle, doubling down, and moving into first place of the Monster Jam Fox Sports 1 Championship Series.
AT&T Stadium in North Texas was up next. Through out the whole series, or fast qualifier could never seem to win racing. But, that streak was broken by former supercross rider Damon Bradshaw in Max D. It was here that he did just that, and moved into the series lead. Zombie won his fourth obstacle course, and Monster Mutt moved up into the series winning freestyle.
Our 8th, and most recent stop was a very chilly Detroit Michigan. But the series was on FIRE! It started with Monster Energy moving up another point in the series lead being fast qualifier. After an intense semi-finals race between Max D and Monster Energy, Max D went on to win the racing championship that night tying Monster Energy for the Series lead. Zombie won obstacle course for the 5th time of the season and Monster Mutt won freestyle for the third time. And now, Monster Mutt sits one point behind Max D and Monster Energy.
It seriously couldn't be any closer. And our final stop this week at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse holds the answer: Who will be the first ever Monster Jam Fox Sports 1 Series Champion? Honestly, I have no clue who to pick. But, I can tell you I can't wait to find out!
There are still so many possibilities. When it comes to racing, Max D has been fairly dominant. Monster Mutt could win the whole thing by being fast qualifier and winning freestyle. If Lucas Oil Crusader doubles down, and the series leaders don't pick up any points this weekend, he can take it all. Grave Digger could even take the series, but he would have to be fast qualifier and double down. The same goes for Zombie.
Our final 6 points are on the line this weekend in Syracuse, and the final chapter of this historic moment for Monster Jam will be made!
Monster Jam Fox Sports 1 Championship Series Standings:
1. Max D – 9 pts
1. Monster Energy – 9 pts
3. Monster Mutt – 8 pts
4. Lucas Oil Crusader – 6 pts
5. Grave Digger – 5 pts
5. Zombie – 5 pts
7. El Toro Loco – 3 pts
8. Hooked – 2 pts
9. Stone Crusher – 1 pt
10. Madusa – 0 pts
10. Avenger – 0 pts
10. Titan – 0 pts
10. Wrecking Crew – 0 pts
10. War Wizard – 0 pts
10. Thunder 4×4 – 0 pts
10. Bad News Travels Fast – 0 pts
