Monster Jam is Jan 27-28 at The Dome. It has been called the most unexpected, unscripted and unforgettable motorsports experience for families and fans in the world today returns to St. Louis for an adrenaline-charged weekend at The Dome at America’s Center on Saturday and Sunday, January 27 & 28
At Monster Jam®, world champion athletes– including Tom Meents of Paxton, Illinois– and their 12,000-pound monster trucks tear up the dirt in wide-open competitions of speed and skill.
“The St. Louis event is always filled with many highlights each year, due to the massive floor size inside of America’s Center,” Meents told STLSportsPage.com. “So much room inside to do the biggest tricks and the largest stunts with your Monster Jam truck. For me personally, it’s my very last opportunity to wow and impress my local Max- D fans during my last of many St. Louis appearances.”
Meents currently drives Max-D on the Monster Jam circuit and has won 14 Monster Jam World Finals championships during his career. He started as a fan of monster trucks when he was 10 years old, and was able to transfer that interest to be able to compete in Monster Jam for over 30 years.
He really has really enjoyed his long career with Monster Jam– especially the people he meets and works with.
“All of the Monster Jam drivers are friendly and get along very well,” he said. “The competitive nature changes the drivers during the event, as every one of us will do anything possible to win each competition.”
His hometown of Paxton, Il is just three hours north of St. Louis and he likes coming to St. Louis, but this time might be bittersweet as he is retiring from the racing, but he will continue his career with Monster Jam though in a different role. As this weekend approaches he is pumped to show the fans the latest technologies involved in Monster Jam.
“In the humble beginnings, Monster Jam trucks didn’t have as much technology as they do now,” he said. “The modern Monster Jam trucks are so far advanced in technology that they make the most memorable performances on the fantastic Monster Jam tracks.
“The advancements in today’s track design also capitalizes on the technology of today’s modern trucks, producing an exciting on-track runs that every family member will enjoy.”
The fun begins at the Monster Jam Pit Party held in St. Louis on Saturday. Fans can see the massive trucks up close, meet their favorite drivers and crews, get autographs, and take pictures. Activities include the Sand Box play area, inflatable slides, Spin Master remote control truck course, coloring and temporary tattoo station, and photo ops, including the chance to take a photo with the Series trophy. This fun-filled experience is the only place that allows people to get up close access to the Monster Jam teams and get an insider’s look at how these trucks are built to stand up to the competition.
“I’m super excited to have the opportunity to give my Max-D St. Louis fans one last performance that they will never forget,” said Meents. “I love the fantastic memories that we have made together over the last 3 decades.”
St. Louis fans will be on the edge of their seats as the world’s best drivers show off massive stunts, big air, backflips, crazy skills and all-out racing in fierce head-to-head battles for the Event Championship. Engineered to perfection, the 12,000-pound Monster Jam trucks push all limits in Freestyle, Skills and Racing competitions. The Stadium Series East Champion will receive a highly coveted automatic bid to the prestigious Monster Jam World Finals® to compete for the title of World Champion. The 2024 Monster Jam World Finals will be held at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on May 18.
The Stadium Championship Series East features 12 skilled athletes battling for the championship while tearing up the dirt in intense competitions of speed and skill. The most decorated driver in Monster Jam history, 14-time Monster Jam World Finals champion Meents aims to lock in one last Series championship during his final competitive season.
In celebration, Meents will be driving different Max-D® bodies throughout the season. Reigning Monster Jam World Finals Skills champion and Stadium Series Blue champion Tyler Menninga gets behind the wheel of the black and green wrecking machine, the legendary Grave Digger®. Fans will have their Zombie arms up in the air for two-time GUINNESS WORLD RECORD™ title holder and 2023 Spin Master Donut of the Year award winner Bari Musawwir in Zombie®. Two-time Monster Jam World Finals champion Todd LeDuc in Megalodon®, 2023 Spin Master Save of the Year award winner Cynthia Gauthier in Lucas Stabilizer, and GUINNESS WORLD RECORD™ title holder Bryce Kenny in Great Clips Mohawk Warrior® look to lock in the championship.
Monster Jam drivers are trained, world-class male and female athletes who have mastered not only the physical strength and mental stamina needed to compete, but the vital dexterity to control 12,000-pound machines capable of doing backflips, vertical two-wheel skills and racing at speeds up to 70 miles-per-hour to produce jaw-dropping, live motorsports action seen around the world. Monster Jam. As Big As It Gets!™
Though he’s a Monster driver, the former championship mud racer, Meents has been called upon to perform innovative stunts throughout his career. Known as “The Professor”, Tom helps train upcoming drivers.
“Though this is my final competitive season, I will be continuing my career with Monster Jam focusing on my role as Professor of Monster Jam University and stunt coordinator.”
