| Advance Auto Parts Grinder | |
|---|---|
 Advance Auto Parts Grinder circa 2013, at it's final show | |
|
Owner |
FELD Motorsports |
|
Drivers |
Lupe Soza, Frank Krmel, John Seasock, and Nicole Johnson |
|
Body Style |
Ford F-150 |
|
Engine |
540ci Merlin |
|
Transmission |
2-Speed Coan |
|
Tires |
66" Terra |
|
Debuted |
December 2009 |
|
Discontinued |
2013 |
|
Theme song |
“Kickstart my heart” by Mötley Crüe (Later used for Over Bored's Monster Jam Theme |
Advance Auto Parts Grinder was a monster truck owned by FELD Motorsports, as a sponsor truck for the then-title sponsor of Monster Jam, Advance Auto Parts. Lupe Soza, former driver of El Toro Loco, was selected to drive the truck. In 2011, John Seasock and Frank Krmel joined to drive Grinder until 2013. The truck has not won a World Finals title since its discontinuation in 2013, after Advance Auto Parts backed out of their title sponsor contract.
History
Advanced Auto Parts Grinder debuts on December 5, 2009 at Minneapolis, driven by Lupe Soza.
In 2010, Grinder begins its first full season of competition. Lupe makes it to the World Finals, and ties with Steve sims and Tom Meents with a 28. It is announced that two Grinders will be added to the team with drivers John Seasock and Frank Frmel getting the two trucks.
In 2011, John and Frank begin their first seasons with the truck. Frank Krmel beat Dennis Anderson in a final-round race in Atlanta, ending Anderson's winning streak in racing. Frank raced the Grinder at the World Finals while Lupe freestyled. All three Grinder trucks did an encore at World Finals 12.
In 2012, Frank got injured before the season could begin. Tasmanian Devil driver, Nicole Johnson, drove Grinder for Frank. She made it to the first Young Guns Shootout. John got his first ever stadium freestyle win in June in Philadelphia on the Path of Destruction Tour. At the World Finals, John raced and Lupe freestyled.
In 2013, Frank rejoined the team. John would once again race for the World Finals and Lupe would freestyle. This is the last year that Grinder competed in.
The truck had its last run on December 7, 2013 at the final event in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, MN. 2 days later, Advance Auto Parts stepped down from Monster Jam as the Title Sponsor. The 3 Grinder trucks are converted into different trucks.
World Finals Appearances
- 2010 - Lupe Soza
- 2011 - Frank Krmel (racing), Lupe Soza (freestyle)
- 2012 - John Seasock (racing), Lupe Soza (freestyle) (YGS: Nicole Johnson)
- 2013 - John Seasock (racing), Lupe Soza (freestyle)
Trivia
- The truck's debut show and last show were both in Minneapolis. It was driven by Lupe Soza on both occasions. The truck also flipped while taking on an R.V. at it's first and last shows.
- The trucks first televised appearance was at Monster Jam Live Atlanta in 2010.
- Grinder would occasionally appear with a spinning "G" that would move back and forth.
- Soza's Grinder became his 2015 El Toro Loco, Krmel's became the first Fox Sports 1 Cleatus, and Seasock's became BJ Johnsons Mohawk Warrior.
- Grinder existed for exactly 1,463 days.
Gallery
