2024 San Antonio Monster Jam

As a car racing-obsessed kid growing up in the 90s, it was only natural that I would get into monster trucks. It’s a relatively simple concept, but brilliant. There’s just something visceral about trucks with massive tires that seems to capture a kid’s attention, and I was hooked.

In the pre-YouTube days, the extent of the monster truck content I consumed was limited to my double-VHS collection of monster truck videos and whatever I could rent from the local gas station that doubled as a video/video game rental store. I eventually had the chance to see a monster truck competition at the nearby county fair, which was undoubtedly a significant kid milestone for me.

Years later, I would catch Monster Jam events on TV from time to time. Monster Jam is one of the biggest monster truck organizations in the world. After relocating to San Antonio, I saw it would be coming to the Alamodome, which is not far from me. I wouldn’t let childhood me down. I knew what I had to do.

The Event

Walking into the stadium and seeing the trucks parked on display before the event was epic. The sight of the trucks alone was enough to get me pumped up. Scanning the trucks, I noticed one of my childhood favorites (albeit a newer version): Grave Digger. Talk about nostalgia!

The overall winner for the day is based on scores in different events. I was impressed by how little downtime there was once the show got going, besides an intermission (complete with synchronized backhoe driving!).

Racing

I was impressed by Monster Jam’s ability to make an exciting racetrack despite the limitations of an indoor arena. At this event, the trucks, two at a time, first start in a tight circle, practically chasing each other; after a few times doing that, they go out onto the outer track to finish the race. I found myself getting sucked into who won or lost, even if I wasn’t familiar with the trucks. There was even an epic moment in the form of a last-minute stadium entry of a recently repaired truck that had been facing mechanical problems back at the pits.

Skills Challenge

The skills challenge involves drivers doing one trick with at least two wheels off the ground. Judging was done by audience members via their smartphones, and the announcement of each score produced an audible response from the crowd. As the event went on and more drivers got their scores, suspense was felt throughout the stadium before that run’s points were revealed, often resulting in cheers as a new driver took the lead.

I was amazed by how the drivers could balance their trucks vertically on two wheels, and given some audience reactions, I wasn’t the only one thinking that. Not only could drivers hold their trucks in that position, but one driver managed to go from forward to reverse on two wheels, and another went off a jump backward on two wheels. The skills challenge was a great example of just how far the sport has evolved.

Freestyle

Given the amount of wear and tear the trucks take, it’s a good idea that the freestyle competition takes place at the end of the day. I was really anticipating this part of the event. As with the skill challenge, points were decided by audience vote. Drivers have a set amount of time to perform tricks for the crowd—provided their trucks last that long!

I saw some epic jumps and, to my surprise, quite a few backflips. I’d seen monster trucks do backflips on TV, but I was shocked by how many drivers did them. I can only imagine how weird the sensation must be when they do backflips. I was fascinated by how the trucks could jump so high, land, and drive off as if nothing happened.

Wrapping Up

It was awesome to attend a monster truck event after so many years and also go to my first Monster Jam. They really know how to put on a show! Ever been to a monster truck event? Let me know in the comments!