You think you know motorsports? What if I told you one of the most popular live events in America isn’t NASCAR or Formula 1? It’s Monster Jam, and it pulls in over 4 million fans a year. Yes, really. That’s more people than attended New York Yankees games last season. 😱
So, how did this happen? Monster Jam officially kicked off in 1992, but its roots are pure 1970s Americana. It all started with guys modifying their pickup trucks with massive tires and showing them off. It was a grassroots thing until one guy, Bob Chandler, created the legendary “Bigfoot” and accidentally invented car-crushing. People went absolutely wild for it.
Fast forward to the 90s, and a company called Feld Entertainment (the same people behind Disney on Ice) saw the potential. They bought up the scene, professionalized it, and turned it into the stadium-filling spectacle we see today. They literally take over massive NFL stadiums in the off-season. Can you imagine?
Here’s the twist: this isn’t just some random sideshow. These drivers are world-class athletes piloting 12,000-pound machines with 1,500 horsepower engines. The trucks themselves are insane engineering marvels, costing over $250,000 each. They can fly over 30 feet in the air! 🚀
The competition is fierce. There are multiple tours, including stadium and arena circuits, all leading to the Monster Jam World Finals. Drivers compete in racing, two-wheel skills, and the fan-favorite freestyle competition. It’s a full-blown, high-stakes motorsport disguised as a family-friendly monster mash.
Monster Jam is this massive cultural phenomenon hiding in plain sight. It’s loud, it’s chaotic, and it’s unapologetically fun. It proves that you don’t need a fancy European pedigree to become one of the most-attended motorsports in the world. All you need is a giant truck and a stadium full of people ready to scream. 🤘
All About Monster Jam: America’s Hugely Underrated Motorsport - MotorTrend
Monster Jam: the big trucks selling as many tickets as Taylor Swift - The Times
