THE ROAR of five mighty engines, the thrill of the crowd cheering from the stands, and the wholesome family atmosphere made the Monster Truck Wars at the Cooper Steel Arena on Oct. 25 unforgettable. Gates opened two hours before the noon matinee began for the pre-show pit party and meet-and-greet on the arena floor for VIP ticket holders. A second show kicked off at 6 p.m.
Sergeant Smash — a souped-up Hummer that weighs over 13,000 pounds — drove eager fans around the arena while the seven-time champion Outlaw, followed by Shark Attack, T-Rex, and The Sheriff from Tombstone, Arizona, prepared to face off.
Shark Attack — driven by the only female to compete — was a fan favorite with its jagged teeth and red, beady eyes. As the 2023 champ, Shark Attack weighs an ominous 10,000 pounds and tucks 1,700 horsepower under its light green hood.
Everyone held their breath as The Sheriff, sporting the classic body of a 1949 Ford Mercury, raced full speed across the arena floor and plunged hood-first into the dirt while the T-Rex spun in circles nearby. Outlaw, a custom-built Ford F-250, weighing over 9,500 pounds, revved all 1,750 horses under its hood while waiting for its turn to impress the crowd.
Intermission began with fans begging for more!
The excitement ramped up when ATVs and four-wheeled quads representing Tennessee raced against competitors from Alabama. During the second half of intermission, children ages 3 to 9 snapped on their bicycle helmets and raced their very own Power Wheels around the ring. The winner received a complimentary monster truck souvenir.
Monster Truck Wars was a high-energy, fast-paced show full of jaw-dropping tricks, daring stunts, wheelies, high jumps, freestyle maneuvers, and real-time racing. With a mission to cater to children at their shows, bounce houses were available in the Kids Fun Zone, team quads were on display, drivers posed for photos and signed autographs, and team merch was available.
From roaring engines to Power Wheels races, the day ended not just with dust in the air but with memories that’ll last a lifetime. GN
