Monster Jam is one of the most popular motor sports in the United States. This high-flying, car-crushing event features some of the biggest names in monster trucks, including Grave Digger, Max-D, and El Toro Loco. For monster truck fans in Fresno, California, you may be wondering when Monster Jam will be making a stop in your city. Keep reading to find out where and when you can catch Monster Jam in Fresno this year.
What is Monster Jam?
Monster Jam features monster trucks facing off in intense competitions of speed and skill. The iconic trucks race head-to-head on dirt tracks filled with jumps and obstacles. Fans can watch them spin massive donuts, soar through the air, and even crush cars beneath their giant tires. It’s an action-packed motorsport event fit for the whole family.
Beyond the racing, Monster Jam also includes freestyle competitions where drivers get 60 seconds to show off their most explosive moves. The Arena Championship Series pits trucks against each other tournament-style, knocking out trucks until one is left standing. And the High Jump and Speedster Obstacle Race offer a chance to showcase specific skills.
With competitions for both arena racing and stadium obstacle courses, there is no shortage of incredible stunts at a Monster Jam show. Fans of extreme motorsports are sure to be thrilled by the high-octane entertainment.
Upcoming Monster Jam Events in Fresno
Luckily for monster truck fans in Fresno, Monster Jam makes a stop in the city every year during its nationwide tour. This gives locals multiple opportunities to see their favorite larger-than-life trucks live.
For 2023, Monster Jam will be roaring into Fresno for two shows:
- Saturday, February 18 at 7pm
- Sunday, February 19 at 1pm
These shows will take place at the Save Mart Center, which is located on the Fresno State campus. This arena can seat over 15,000 screaming Monster Jam fans, ensuring everyone gets a great view of the high-flying action.
Trucks Scheduled for the Fresno Shows
While Monster Jam’s lineup often changes from show to show, these are some of the fan-favorite trucks expected to appear in Fresno:
- Grave Digger – The legendary black and green wrecking machine driven by Adam Anderson
- Max-D – One of the most decorated trucks in the sport, currently driven by Colton Eichelberger
- El Toro Loco – A bright yellow bull ready to charge, driven by Mark List
- Megalodon – A massive shark-themed truck piloted by Cory Rummell
- Zombie – An undead-themed machine driven by Bari Musawwir
Other top trucks like Monster Mutt, Soldier Fortune, and Hurricane Force could also be part of the lineup. Fans will have to wait for the official schedule to be announced to see the full roster.
Buying Monster Jam Tickets in Fresno
Given Monster Jam’s huge popularity, these Fresno shows are likely to sell out well in advance. Anyone planning to attend should purchase their tickets as soon as possible.
Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster online or by phone. Prices range from $20-$70 depending on seat location. Pit Party passes can also be bought for around $15, granting early access to see the trucks up close and meet the drivers before the main event.
Discounts are sometimes offered for military members and groups of 15 or more people. Promotional codes can also help you save money on tickets when available.
Best Seats at Monster Jam in Fresno
When choosing seats for Monster Jam, there are a few sections that provide the optimal experience:
- Floor Seats – Sitting directly next to the track puts you closest to the action. Be prepared for dirt, noise, and excitement!
- Lower Bowl – The lower half of the arena gets you up close without the dirt factor. Sections 110-112 and 118-120 are great choices.
- Club Seats – These seats come with VIP amenities like premium food/drink access. They are more expensive but offer a luxury experience.
Avoid the uppermost rows if possible, as you’ll be farther from the trucks. But on a budget, the upper sections can still provide decent views of the action.
Other Monster Jam Events Near Fresno
Can’t make the Fresno shows? Don’t worry, there are a few other California cities hosting Monster Jam events near Fresno in 2023:
City | Venue | Dates |
---|---|---|
Bakersfield | Mechanics Bank Arena | January 21-22 |
San Jose | SAP Center | February 3-5 |
Oakland | RingCentral Coliseum | March 18-19 |
These shows take place in January through March, giving you a chance to catch Monster Jam at another California stop either before or after the Fresno event.
How Monster Jam Started
Monster Jam has become a massive motorsport competition over the past 3 decades, but it originated from humble beginnings. Here is a brief history of how Monster Jam came to be:
- 1982 – Bob Chandler drove the first monster truck, Bigfoot, over cars at a promotion in Colorado.
- 1988 – Chandler began arranging events solely for monster trucks under the name Monster Trucks Inc.
- 1992 – The United States Hot Rod Association held their first official monster truck race in Indianapolis.
- 2000 – Clear Channel formed Monster Jam by combining USHRA events with Chandler’s Monster Trucks Inc.
- 2002 – Monster Jam held its first televised event on Speed Channel, launching it into the mainstream.
- Today – Monster Jam travels to over 350 events globally each year entertaining millions of fans.
From a single truck crushing cars in the 80s, the sport has exploded into a wildly popular phenomenon. What started as an oddity has now become a major part of American motorsport culture.
Why Monster Trucks Are So Popular
So what is it about monster trucks that draws in so many fans? Here are some reasons these mechanical beasts have become such a sensation:
- Size – Towering up to 12 feet tall and 12 feet wide, monster trucks are simply enormous, dominating everything around them.
- Power – Packing up to 1500-2000 horsepower under the hood, monster trucks have strength to spare.
- Crushing Ability – Watching them explode through stacks of cars never gets old thanks to their immense weight.
- Wheelies – These trucks can pop massive wheelies, lifting several tons of metal cleanly into the air.
- Air Time – Monster trucks catch huge air off jumps, sometimes soaring over 100 feet in distance.
- Loudness – The roar of their huge engines adds to the excitement, especially in a packed arena.
Everything about monster trucks is big and loud and over-the-top. They represent an extreme spectacle that captures people’s imaginations. Anyone who has pounded their fists in the air as one of these mechanical beasts flew past can attest to their incredible visceral appeal.
Most Popular Monster Trucks
While Monster Jam events feature dozens of different monster trucks, a few have risen to become absolute fan favorites over the years:
Grave Digger
No truck is more iconic than Grave Digger, especially in the black and green #31driven by Adam Anderson. Originally built by Anderson’s father Dennis in the 1980s, Grave Digger has gone on to become the most well-known monster truck name in the world.
Max-D
Debuting in 2000, Max-D has quickly climbed the ranks thanks to its sleek design and incredible air time. Current driver Colton Eichelberger has taken Max-D to multiple Monster Jam championships.
El Toro Loco
With a colorful design featuring bull horns on the front, El Toro Loco is a favorite for its high-speed agility and tendency to suddenly turn sideways during runs.
Other top trucks like Monster Mutt, Blue Thunder, Lucas Oil Crusader, and Bakugan Dragonoid have also developed huge followings.
Truck Designs and Technology
Today’s monster trucks represent amazing mechanical feats. Let’s look at some key features of their design and technology:
- Weight – Usually 10,000-15,000 pounds thanks to heavy steel chassis and bodies.
- Tires – Enormous 66″ tall specialty tires allow them to crush anything in their path.
- Suspension – Equipped with long travel coilover shocks and nitrogen cylinders that provide 3+ feet of wheel travel.
- Transmission – Many still use a 3-speed manual transmission, though automatic transmissions are becoming more common.
- Engine – Most run V8 motors developing 1500+ horsepower, modified for more displacement and superchargers.
- Body – Made from fiberglass panels over steel tubes. Designed for crushing ability and decoration.
- Safety – Reinforced four-point harnesses, racing seats, and neck braces keep drivers safe.
Engineering these monsters to handle huge jumps and crashes while delivering incredible power requires extensive customization. Teams are constantly experimenting with new designs and technology to gain any advantage on the track.
Monster Truck Racing Rules
To keep competition safe and exciting, Monster Jam follows a clear set of rules during events:
- Trucks must be fashioned after pickup trucks or SUVs to qualify.
- No use of nitrous oxide or other power boosting agents.
- Engines limited based on truck weight – heavier trucks allowed more displacement.
- Tires can be no more than 66″ tall.
- Truck frames must contain proper roll cage protections.
- Drivers must wear approved racing suits, helmets, and restraint harnesses.
- Trucks are not permitted to collide with or ram one another during competition.
- Any fluids leaking from trucks must be contained to avoid track hazards.
Following these guidelines and others ensures monster truck events unfold safely for both drivers and spectators. Rules are occasionally added or revised to improve the sport.
Monster Truck Racing Competitions
Monster Jam features a variety of racing and freestyle competitions to showcase different truck abilities:
Racing
Head-to-head races between two trucks on a dirt track filled with obstacles like cars, ramps, and crushers. Trucks race in brackets, with winners advancing.
Two-Wheel Skills
Judged on the distance and duration trucks can drive balanced just on their rear wheels.
Donut Contest
Trucks spin rapid donuts in the center of the arena, aiming to create the biggest roostertail of dirt.
High Jump
Trucks launch off a ramp to achieve the highest jump height while still landing smoothly.
Freestyle
Each truck gets 60 seconds to perform the craziest moves and stunts they can, with big air and donuts scoring highly. Judged on creativity, momentum, and entertainment value.
With racing championships and judged competitions, Monster Jam offers something for every kind of monster truck fan to enjoy.
Monster Truck Stunts and Maneuvers
The incredible things monster trucks can do defy belief. Drivers have mastered specialized stunts and maneuvers fans love to see:
- Wheelies – Drivers hit the gas hard lifting the front tires skyward, sometimes riding all the way across the arena just on the rear wheels.
- Donuts – Spinning the truck rapidly in circles that launch rooster tails of dirt into the air.
- Stoppies – The opposite of a wheelie, braking hard and lifting the rear tires off the ground.
- Cyclones – Turning continuously in tight circles while balancing on one side.
- Backflips – Hitting a steep ramp to flip the massive truck end over end, landing on its wheels.
It’s amazing such heavy machines can defy gravity like this. Monster truck drivers are highly skilled at making their trucks dance.
Monster Truck Crushing
A signature part of any Monster Jam event is the monster truck crushing portion, where trucks demolish everything from junk cars to motor homes beneath their giant tires. Seeing the sheer power of these massive machines destroying things never loses its appeal.
Some notable world records for monster truck crushing include:
- Most full size cars crushed by a monster truck in one minute – 13, set in 2012 by Brad Allen in the Virginia Ironman.
- Consecutive cars crushed by a monster truck – 105, set by Todd Morey in 2010 driving Over Bored.
- Cars crushed by a monster truck in one night – 200, set by Rob Knell in 2015 driving the Destroyer.
- Largest object crushed by a monster truck – Boeing 727 airplane fuselage, crushed by Bigfoot in 2015.
Crushing challenges always bring the thrill factor, showcasing the enormous blunt force these trucks can unleash.
Monster Truck Conclusions
Monster Jam continues to offer an unbeatable formula of family fun. With intense competition, jaw-dropping stunts, and mass destruction, it’s a sensory overload in all the right ways. The commitment of drivers to push limits and innovate helps monster trucks remain as relevant and enthralling today as ever.
For fans in Fresno, catch Monster Jam when it rolls through town each year. With loud engines, flying dirt, and towering truck stunts, it’s an experience like no other. You’re sure to leave pumped up and in awe of what these mechanical beasts can achieve. Monster Jam is monster entertainment at its finest!