Austin, Texas, got a heavy dose of horsepower and adrenaline at the Monster Jam event at the Moody Center on June 8-9, 2024. This action-packed weekend saw some of the most iconic monster trucks and their drivers delivering jaw-dropping performances that left the crowd on the edge of their seats. With a mix of freestyle stunts, wheelie competitions, and high-octane racing, the event did not disappoint.
The Austin Monster Jam brought together a powerhouse lineup of drivers and their famous monster trucks, each with their own unique personality. Krysten Anderson, the fearless driver of “Grave Digger”, Armando Castro, the daring pilot of “El Toro Loco”, Joe Urie, the masterful handler of “Earth Shaker”, and Dalton Widner, the dynamic driver of “Jurassic Attack”, among others. Each of these trucks, and their drivers, brought their own flair and unique style to the dirt, competing fiercely across various events such as freestyle, timed racing, and skill challenges.
Saturday night saw “El Toro Loco” emerge as the event’s overall winner, driven by Armando Castro. With an impressive score of 27 points, Castro’s aggressive driving style and daring stunts, particularly during the Sky Wheelie Competition, earned him the top spot. His wheelie performance wowed the judges, securing a score of 8.996, narrowly edging out “Grave Digger” at 8.776. El Toro Loco’s fearless approach in the freestyle category also placed him second, just behind “JCB DIGatron,” driven by Tristan England, who scored 9.644 in an impressive display of backflips and donuts. The scoring system, which considers difficulty, execution, and crowd reaction, highlighted Castro’s exceptional performance.
Sunday’s competition flipped the script with “Jurassic Attack,” driven by Dalton Widner, claiming victory. Widner’s dynamic driving, combining finesse and controlled aggression, helped him dominate the freestyle competition with a score of 8.648. He also triumphed in the Great Clips Skills Challenge with a remarkable score of 9.273. The performance pushed “JCB DIGatron” and “El Toro Loco” into tight second and third places, respectively, proving Widner’s versatility and command over his monster truck.
Freestyle competitions have always been a fan favorite, and Austin’s show delivered some unforgettable moments. “JCB DIGatron,” piloted by Tristan England, performed incredibly on Saturday, showcasing a mix of technical tricks and high-flying jumps. Meanwhile, “Monster Mutt Rottweiler,” driven by Berto Treviño, put up a fight in the timed racing event, securing the fastest lap time of the weekend at 10.542 seconds. Despite a solid performance in the freestyle category, “Grave Digger” did not complete the minimum time required on Sunday, resulting in a surprising finish lower down the order.
The Monster Jam event at the Moody Center was a full-throttle spectacle that combined heart-stopping stunts, skilled driving, and unforgettable moments for fans of all ages. The Austin stop proved why Monster Jam remains a cornerstone of family entertainment and motorsports excitement, whether it was the roaring engines, massive jumps, or close competition.
