Breakage, Carnage and Big Air Made Monster Jam Hard in Cleveland, Ohio

The Monster Jam driver line-up read like the credits on a Hollywood movie at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Black Stallion flies the K&N Flag at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio
The Black Stallion flies the K&N Flag at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio

Major air and carnage were part of the tough competition at Monster Jam in Ohio
Major air and carnage were part of the tough competition at Monster Jam in Ohio
Michael Vaters and the Black Stallion, Vaters teammate Trey Myers driven by Iron Warrior, Grave Digger driven by Pablo Huffaker, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle with Aaron Basl, Bounty Hunter with Darren Migues were part of the pack. The competition also included Rap Attack driven by Dave Rappach, Martial Law with Paul Strong and Bad Habit with Joe Sylvester.
Iron Warrior had problems with a faulty starter in Cleveland, Ohio
Iron Warrior had problems with a faulty starter in Cleveland, Ohio

Monster Jam continues at the Wachovia Arena in Barre, Pennsylvania
Monster Jam continues at the Wachovia Arena in Barre, Pennsylvania

The pit party was packed with fans so officials extended the opening time so the crowd could meet the drivers and get pictures taken with the monster trucks.

A wheelie contest was the first event on Friday evening. Grave Digger took the win with a 29 and Black Stallion tied with Bounty Hunter for second place. Racing continued to be close all weekend and photo replays were used to determine winners.

Michael Vaters worked his way through the freestyle field by defeating Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle in round one. He also defeated Grave Digger in round two. Each truck was pushed to the limit. “The competition was so fierce I pulled out the reverser,” he said. “I did a backwards jump over the van stack.”

Black Stallion and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle broke rear axle parts. “The race of the day was in the pits between both teams with wrenches and parts,” said Vaters. “The crew guys were flying to get everything done at break neck speed.”

The repairs were done and Vaters made it back to racing. Unfortunately, a faulty starter plagued Iron Warrior and Trey Myers was unable to make it for the race. Vaters was narrowly defeated in the semi-finals against Martial Law. Vaters uses K&N Engineering products. “We use K&N’s injector and oil filters,” he said. “We’re hard on motors at every race and K&N protects our engines. K&N can handle the Monster Truck scene.”

On Saturday, Vaters was off to a raging start at the beginning of the show and took the win in the wheelie contest. “Rap Attack broke a rear axle and Martial Law lost a motor,” said Vaters. “With drivers out of the competition all of the remaining drivers turned up the heat to make sure the crowd got their money’s worth. The racing was very close and freestyle included some major air and more carnage.

The Black Stallion and Iron Warrior will be in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania at the Wachovia Arena this weekend.

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