My trip to the monster truck show

You haven't lived until you've seen one of these babies clear 14 cars and leap 130 feet in the air. An hour of action uses up half Kuwait's daily oil output, but Americans like to see fossil fuel burn.

Tue, Mar 15 2011 at 11:23 AM EST

AT REST: The monster truck lineup. (Photo: Stephen Chadwick)

BRIDGEPORT, CONN. — The alcohol-burning, supercharged V-8 engines in monster trucks typically generate 1,500 to 2,000 horsepower but at just five miles per gallon, they’d make lousy commuter vehicles. I offer the fuel economy information because it didn’t seem to be foremost in the minds of the thrill-crazed fans who packed Harbor Yards Arena for Monster Jam Trucks over the weekend. I used the word “packed” because it sounded good, but actually the place was only about a third full.

These “trucks” (I use the word lightly) weigh a minimum of 10,000 pounds — can you imagine the amount of brute power necessary to propel one of these beasts 130 feet, flying over as many as 14 cars side by side? This is why America is the world’s biggest per capita consumer of fossil fuels.

It hadn’t occurred to me to check out the monster trucks until my cousin, who recently moved here from Japan, suggested we go. They must be starved for this kind of homegrown, all-American entertainment over there. The idea of it struck a chord with me, because discussing the merits of the fire-breathing Robosaurus provided the impetus for my one and only appearance on "The Daily Show" many years ago. That was me, the environmentalist, saying Robosaurus was a force for good because he eats SUVs.

Monster trucks are loud — earplugs were a popular accessory — and brutish, like something Hunter S. Thompson would have seen in a vision after being slipped drugs by his attorney. But this is family fare — kids under 2 get in free because they can sit on a parent’s lap.

Monster trucks are really nothing more than tube frames supporting 66-inch tall tires more often seen on earthmoving equipment. The field is dirt, and in this case it came with a 30-foot mound and two rows of cars that were probably pre-crushed by the afternoon show. There actually seems to be some kind of order to this, since the rulebook is a hefty PDF download, but it’s fair to say that fans are there to see loud noises and stuff getting crushed. And maybe win some autographed casual wear shot their way by the T-shirt cannon.

The bodies are flimsy fiberglass things bolted to the roll cages, but they give these macho vehicles personality. Crush Station, for instance, is a giant lobster complete with taped claws. El Toro Loco had bull horns, though one fell off. Grave Digger, an audience favorite, had scary red eyes. It’s OK if the bodies get trashed. In this amazing video, the truck flips over, sheds its body but lands on its wheels, and heads out again, only to flip again and end up in two pieces. A day at the office:

Between heats, we were treated to some ATV races — boring, despite some wrestling-style manufactured grudge action that ended up in a Captain’s Challenge faceoff. But the dirt bikes were something else again — total gravity-defying exhilaration as they took off from a ramp, flew somersaulting through the air 30 feet up without a net, and landed unscathed. Don’t believe me; watch my cousin's video:

The best part of monster truck action is freestyling. The drivers try to outdo each other pleasing the crowd. There are actually judges somewhere scoring this stuff, but the roar of the crowd clearly helped. Crush Station put on a brave show, and was leading until Grave Digger came from behind and scaled that mighty mound with an airborne leap.

The evening’s entertainment concluded with the drivers signing rather expensive merch — $35 Grave Digger T-shirts. Shed of their monster trucks, the road warriors looked like ordinary guys, albeit with lots of tattoos. Something there for a grimy-faced kid to look up to, definitely. I saw a row of men, but it should be noted that Becky McDonough strikes a blow for girl power when she campaigns Dragon’s Breath. “It’s an absolute thrill to fly through the air in this beast,” she says.

The Air Force was recruiting, and even campaigning its own truck, After Burner. (Can you sign up for induction and be assured a place on the pit crew?) Reserve some applause for the people who build these things — it’s an expensive ($250,000 is not uncommon), six-month process, with a lot of hand-fabricated parts, and it can all go kablooey in an instant.

Monster trucks attract an integrated audience, and folks seemed generally satisfied with the evening’s entertainment. So was I, come to think of it. But before I go again, I’d get the earplugs.

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Elvin 06/07/2011 01:43 AM

Even I also love Monster trucks shows. But I would like to u all that Debris from a Friday night Tacoma, Washington monster truck show flew into the crowd, killing a six-year old boy.

No Good 03/21/2011 09:45 AM

On a whim last year, I purchased tickets to see these trucks in Rosemont, IL. Aside from the trailer park spectators and deafening noise, I left after the haze of fumes engulfed the building.

Hank 03/20/2011 22:56 PM

These are the same guys you people need to bring your Audi to for repair (oil change?). Some folks enjoy building/driving extreme vehicles while other folks spend their time putting down what they don't understand.

Dustin 03/20/2011 22:17 PM

Looks like big moon (or Mars) vehicles......hey! we may have something here!!! Can they fit it in the cargo bay of the shuttle?

Dustin 03/20/2011 22:17 PM

Looks like big moon (or Mars) vehicles......hey! we may have something here!!! Can they fit it in the cargo bay of the shuttle?

TheBigBD 03/20/2011 16:21 PM

As the author points out, Monster Trucks demonstrate leading edges of engineering. In fact, the technology used in MT's is and will continue to help our energy needs, e.g. Carbon Fiber, tubular frame construction, alcohol fuels, superchargers, restraints, etc.

Remote starters in Minnesota do more damage and waste more fuel from 07:00-07:15 than every Monster Truck rally in a year.
BigBD, Engineer, Minnesota Native, 30-yrold, and hater of energy ignorami

Ryan 03/19/2011 21:23 PM

you contradict yourself in the first paragraph a few times.. claiming that these trucks use a lot of fossil fuel but clearly stating they are alcohol based? which is it (for the record the trucks use NO fossil fuel)

VernB 03/19/2011 13:24 PM

A few goofy oversized kid's toys are the reason we're the largest per capita consumer of fossil fuels? Ban monster trucks now and put OPEC out of business!

DinosaurDave 03/19/2011 10:33 AM

I feel you talking down to me when you call me a redneck, but I am not insulted. I'm one of the blue-collar guys that makes your electricity, built your office, grew your breakfast, and got out of my truck on the way home to help your old lady with a flat while the folks that call me a redneck drove past her in their suits and Lexus.....

american 03/21/2011 09:02 AM

agreed

James 03/19/2011 17:02 PM

amen brother!!

C264 03/19/2011 01:12 AM

Really now folks, the fuel consumption of the "entertainment" is inconsequential compared to the fuel consumed by the fans getting there. This applies to all sporting events, concerts, rodeaos, and yes, even "earth day" events where in actuality the most earth friendly thing you can do is stay home. So, fine if you don't care for the entertainment, but the fuel consumption of the trucks is pretty meaningless.

Keith Ward 03/18/2011 23:55 PM

Excuse me but the lovers of monster truck show constitute a minority in this country and not a very bright minority at that. Please don't try to make anyone think otherwise. Walking and chewing gum at the same time is a real brain teaser for these people.

Whattheheck! 03/18/2011 20:15 PM

I think my headline said it all. I hope gas goes up to $10 per gallon so people don't squander it on something soooo stupid. You should be ashamed of yourselves!

I have a telecommute job and drive a 40 mph per gallon Tercel. I won't have to have a "staycation" this year like the rest of you idiots!

Matthew Davis 03/18/2011 23:31 PM

You suck.

cpc65 03/18/2011 18:13 PM

We're not all 8 year olds and / or rednecks.

george 03/18/2011 15:09 PM

I laughed when I saw this article. Last Christmas my wife, daughter, son, and I went to see the Radio City Rockettes since my daughter is a dancer. I jokingly promised my 9 year old son that I'd make it up to him by taking him to a monster truck rally. About a week later, we heard a commercial on the radio for one so we bought tickets. It was actually pretty fun. A little on the expensive side - tickets and souvenirs, but worth it in the long run. Gravedigger was his favorite. Ear plugs are a.... More

jim motavalli 03/18/2011 16:39 PM

We took my cousin's son, who is, I think, around 3 or 4. He LOVED it, didn't want to leave. We ended up being the last ones out, watching the clean-up crews. And he STILL cried when we left.

Jim P 03/18/2011 13:47 PM

I can understand a 2 year-old being fascinated with this sort of thing but not an adult.

kid 03/20/2011 16:16 PM

I am a 51 year old kid. I guess I should grow up and become all dignified and get some fancy pants.

Steve 03/20/2011 13:45 PM

You my friend must be a very boring individual to be around. Maybe All Star Wrestling is your fav.

Dan 03/18/2011 13:36 PM

I had never even considered it before. I'm definitely no redneck, but my 2 year old boy would love this. He got a book about different kinds of trucks and earth movers, one page was about a "monster truck," he has been obsessed ever since. I'd go just to see the look on his face.

CTO 03/18/2011 16:13 PM

I took my 12 year old son to one of thse for the first time in Anaheim Arena a month ago and it was a lot more fun than I thought it would. It is something to see at least once - there were plenty of kids from 2 years to late teens and they enjoyed the show - don't forget earplugs for your son and have a blast.

tester 03/18/2011 13:19 PM

Doesnt the article start with alcohol burning?

Hipponymous 03/18/2011 20:42 PM

Methanol is apparently most commonly made from natural gas.

wisdomVSknowledge 03/18/2011 12:43 PM

I'm sorry, but even by Southern standards... monster trucks are REDNECK!

YowYow7 03/18/2011 14:39 PM

Redneck is a racist term for poor whites of the Appalachia and South. It is similar to the n-word. Both are terms that need to be removed from use.

Find a better term to describe what you are trying to convey. If you envision poor whites then say poor white entertainment. Not the r-word.

Thanks

... 03/20/2011 19:55 PM

Yes, I've personally retired the term "Redneck" a long time ago. Now I prefer to use "Gomer".

Dale 03/19/2011 03:41 AM

Does the name Jeff Foxworthy ring a bell stupid? Redneck is not a "racist" term and should not even be compared to the other word. Only thing I can think of is your a redneck and are ashamed of who you are.

Maestro 03/18/2011 17:06 PM

Dont you dare compare the term "redneck" to the N word. That word was and still is used to refer to an entire race. Redneck refers to a lifestyle...some may find it derogitry but in no way does it hold the same weight or have the same impact as the N word