The track for the 2008 Monster Jam Thrill Show.
The Monster Jam Thrill Show was a unique format Monster Jam used at shows in Houston, Texas, from 2008-2012. The format was very similar to the Freestyle Mania events, with the difference being that it was held at Houston's Reliant Stadium, and often would feature a larger field of trucks.
Format[]
Shows would often times involve Wheelie, Donut, and Freestyle competitions as opposed to the standard Racing and Freestyle held at other events. Due to the lack of racing, the track would be designed with freestyle in mind, with gigantic obstacles and no racing lanes for the trucks. The show also heavily relied on side acts in between the Monster Truck performances, including Quad Wars, tough trucks, car stunts, Robosaurus, and other side acts. At the first two shows, freestyle underwent a few rule changes. At some of these events, freestyle would not be the usual 90 seconds with bonus time, but would instead feature no time limit on the trucks, letting them continue however long they were able to. All events for these first two shows were also scored based on how loud the audience got.
2008[]
The first event was held on January 19, 2008, and featured 8 trucks.
Field of trucks[]
- American Guardian-Rick Raab
- Anger Management- Aaron Cromer
- The Broker- Lou Antonozzi
- El Toro Loco- Lupe Soza
- Grave Digger-Pablo Huffaker
- Instigator-Lionel Easler
- Team Suzuki- Bobby Parr
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-Ryan Huffaker
Cyclone contest[]
Winner: Grave Digger- 96.8 db
Wheelie contest[]
Winner: Grave Digger- 101.1 db
Freestyle[]
Winner: Grave Digger- 105.1 db
2009[]
The second event was held on January 17, 2009, and featured 8 trucks.
Field of trucks[]
- Black Stallion- Michael Vaters
- Cowboy- Glen Logan
- Grave Digger- Gary Porter
- Gunslinger- Scott Hartsock
- Iron Warrior- Trey Myers
- Monster Mutt- Whit Tarlton
- Pastrana 199- Paul Cohen
- Safe Auto Minimizer- Marc McDonald
Wheelie contest[]
Winner: Pastrana 199- 104.6 db
Cyclone contest[]
Winner: Grave Digger- N/A
Freestyle[]
Winner: Safe Auto Minimizer- 105 db
2010[]
The third event was held on January 23, 2010. This would be the first thrill show event to return to standard freestyle rules, and return to normal scoring. This event featured 10 trucks.
Field of trucks[]
- Advance Auto Parts Grinder- Lupe Soza
- An Escalade- George Balhan
- El Matador- Daron Basl
- El Toro Loco- Chuck Werner
- Grave Digger- Charlie Pauken
- Jurassic Attack- Gary Schott Jr.
- Fiesta King Krunch- David Smith
- Maniac- Don Frankish
- Maximum Destruction- Neil Elliott
- Monster Mutt Dalmatian- Candice Jolly
Wheelie contest ("Vertical contest")[]
Winner: Grave Digger- 26
Cyclone contest[]
Winner: Maximum Destruction- 27
Freestyle[]
Winner: Grave Digger- 27
2011[]
This event was held on January 22, 2011. The event was notable for having the largest field of trucks, as well as having Tony Farrell in Grave Digger the Legend and Charles Benns in Monster Mutt Rottweiler perform in exhibition freestyles. This event featured 12 trucks.
Field of trucks[]
- Advance Auto Parts Grinder- John Seasock
- Backdraft- Jeremy Slifko
- Bad Habit- Joe Sylvester
- El Matador- Daron Basl
- Eradicator- Andy Slifko
- Grave Digger- Pablo Huffaker
- King Krunch- David Smith
- Monster Mutt- Dana Creech
- The Rod Ryan Show- Dan Evans
- Stone Crusher- Darren Migues
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles- Ryan Huffaker
- XXX- RB Moler
Wheelie contest[]
Winner: Stone Crusher- 25
Freestylet[]
Winner: Stone Crusher- 28
2012[]
This event was the 5th and final Monster Jam Thrill Show. It was held on January 21, 2012, and featured 16 trucks, the most of all 5 events.
Field of trucks[]
- Advance Auto Parts Grinder - Nicole Johnson
- Backdraft - Jeremy Slifko
- Equalizer - Mike Hawkins
- Eradicator - Andy Slifko
- Get Er Done - Mitch Tulachka
- Grave Digger - Charlie Pauken
- Hot Tamale - Troy Rose
- Fiesta King Krunch - David Smith
- Mountaineer - RB Moler
- Predator - Ron Nelson
- Prowler - Lenny Kuilder
- Robo Machine - Shane Phreed
- The Rod Ryan Show - Daron Basl
- Team Hot Wheels - Dan Evans
- Superman - Sean Duhon
- XXX - Chrissy Moler
Wheelie contest[]
Winner: Fiesta King Krunch- 26
Cyclone contest[]
Winner: Grave Digger- 25
Freestyle[]
Winner: Fiesta King Krunch- 26