FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – Things were a little rowdy today in Florence on Saturday and Sunday as the Monster Jam Tour made its way to town. The best of the best monster truck drivers competed in the adrenaline-filled contest.
The show featured some of the world’s most popular monster trucks including the Grave Digger, Master of Disaster and Nitro Menace. Drivers raced and also showed off their skills in a freestyle competition. Many people in the crowd attend the show every year, including father and son, Mike and Dillon Ferrell. They haven’t missed a show in 12 years, since 12-year-old Dillon was a baby.
“We just keep coming back every year. The show gets better and better. The drivers learn new tricks and they make the show better every time,” said Mike. The intense performances kept the Ferrells and the rest of the crowd of hundreds of monster truck fanatics on the edge of their seats as drivers fearlessly ripped through mounds of dirt.
“The two big airs… that was pretty cool. I’ve never seen two big airs in my life, in real life. Only on tv and that’s it,“ said Dillon.
The competition was fierce. Each driver brought their ‘A’ game but only one could take home the big trophy.
Pablo Huffaker took home the title which many fans say was a well-deserved win. But it was also bittersweet. Sunday was Huffaker’s last time getting behind the wheel of the Grave Digger after driving it for 26 years and racing Monster Jam trucks for a total of 36 years. He says he’s a “lucky guy” having had the chance to do what he loves “for so many years.” And he promises his fans that they haven’t seen the last of him.
“They shouldn’t ever expect never to see me again. I’m going to reappear here and there from time to time. It may not always be in a Monster Jam truck but I’ll be racing something,” Huffaker vowed.
The other drivers were Kaylyn Migues (Jailbird), Matt Pagliarulo (Jester), Shane Phreed (Monster Mutt), Darren Migues (Nitro Menace), Scott Hartsock (Slinger), and Zane Rettew (Stinger Unleashed).