For release: March 30, 2008
Monster Jam® World Champions Crowned at Awards Banquet
Aurora, Ill (March 30, 2008) – Sunday night’s 2008 Monster Jam® Awards Banquet, from the Imperial Palace’s Legends Theater in Las Vegas, NV, capped off an outstanding 2008 Monster Jam season that concluded with Saturday night’s Monster Jam NGK Spark Plugs World Finals at Sam Boyd Stadium.
In total 27 awards were given away tonight, highlighted by the crowning of repeat Monster Jam racing world champion, John Seasock and the Batman™ monster truck, and the new Monster Jam freestyle world champion, Adam Anderson and the Taz™ monster truck.
Award Winners at the 2008 Monster Jam Awards Banquet:
Ed Eckert, Full Boar – Rising Star
Dennis Anderson, Grave Digger® – Extreme Air of the Year
Neil Elliot, Maximum Destruction® – Arena Wheelie of the Year
Bobby Parr, Suzuki – Stadium Wheelie of the Year
John Seasock, Batman™ monster truck – Humanitarian of the Year
Mike Wine, Monster Mutt® – Humanitarian of the Year
Tom Meents, Maximum Destruction® – Humanitarian of the Year
Dennis Anderson, Grave Digger – Humanitarian of the Year
Charles Benns, Pit Bull – Humanitarian of the Year
Jim Bendzick, Rolling Thunder – Donut of the Year
Don Frankish, Jurassic Attack – Save of the Year
Kristy Edge, Jurassic Attack – Rookie of the Year
Larry Flood, Race Shop – Innovator of the Year
Adam Anderson, Taz monster truck – Innovator of the Year
Chad Tingler, Grave Digger – Innovator of the Year
Jimmy Creten, Bounty Hunter – Innovator of the Year
Brandon Lagarde, Sudden Impact/ T-Maxx – Innovator of the Year
Neil Elliot, Maximum Destruction – Crash Madness Award
R.L. Arace, Race Shop – Guts & Grit Award
Trey Meyers, Iron Warrior – Sportsman of the Year
Charlie Pauken, Grave Digger – Arena Freestyle of the Year
Dennis Anderson, Grave Digger – Stadium Freestyle of the Year
Erik Schweikhard, Donkey Kong Crew Chief – Mechanic of the Year
Tom Meents, Maximum Destruction – WOW Factor of the Year
Monster Trucks Limited, Stone Crusher/Mopar Magic – Team of the Year
John Seasock, Batman™ monster truck – 2008 Monster Jam NGK Spark Plugs World Finals Racing Champion
Adam Anderson – 2008 Monster Jam NGK Spark Plugs World Finals Freestyle Champion
Quotes from the 2008 Monster Jam Awards Banquet Speeches:
“I know I’m not the best, but I want to be with the best – and I know that I am with Monster Jam,” said Rising Start Award Winner, Ed Eckert.
“Thanks to Dusten for fixing my shocks, he is the reason I am receiving the Extreme Air of the Year Award from that run in Minneapolis,” said Extreme Air of the Year Winner, Dennis Anderson, Grave Digger.
“The good lord blesses me with talent, and although there is not a lot I can do, I guess I sure can do a wheelie,” said Stadium Wheelie of the Year Winner, Bobby Parr, Suzuki monster truck.
“I have to thank my wife, because she let’s me go on the road and perform even when I miss our anniversary, her birthday, and a lot of the other important events in our lives,” said Save of the Year Winner, Don Frankish, Jurassic Attack.
“I accept this on behalf of all other female drivers, and there needs to be more,” said Kristy Edge, Rookie of the Year. “Dawn Creten, you are an inspiration to me. Your freestyle run last night was incredible.”
“It was desperation more than anything; I didn’t want to let the fans down. Then the chassis broke, and I just held on. Tom kept telling me that he thought I would get an award for this, and here I am…thank you,” said Neil Elliot, Maximum Destruction, Crash Madness Award Winner.
“This award represents small and big contributions to the sport. We’re living the dream and doing it for then fans, and more importantly we’re doing it together and that’s what makes it all worth it,” said Sportsman of the Year Winner, Trey Meyers, Iron Warrior.
“I used to run this truck for myself, but since 1999 I’ve been running it for the fans. My freestyle was what it was, but all of you young up and coming drivers are really pushing me and all of us even harder – thanks to each of you for doing that,” said Dennis Anderson, Grave Digger, winner of the Stadium Freestyle of the Year Award.
“We haven’t been at this a long time, but we work hard to be our best. Our team includes not only the drivers, crew, and sponsors, but most importantly our family, and we couldn’t do this without them,” said Steve Sims, driver of Stone Crusher, and manager of Monster Trucks Limited – Team of the Year.
“Last night was unbelievable. We did have some issues with the truck, but we tried to keep the truck running and raced our best,” said 2008 Monster Jam Racing World Champion John Seasock, Batman monster truck.
“This is unbelievable to me, and to do this after only three years in the business is amazing. After that freestyle run last night, I’m just happy I’m alive,” said Adam Anderson, 2008 Monster Jam Freestyle World Champion. “And dad – I’m so glad I beat you (laughing, referring to his legendary dad, Dennis Anderson, driver of Grave Digger).”
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