The 2021 Monster Jam season looks different than years past, in part because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has affected every part of racers, teams, and fans daily lives, but also because Krysten Anderson has inherited the famous Grave Digger monster truck. The Players' Tribune, which publishes first-person stories from top athletes, is featuring Monster Jam driver Krysten Anderson. My brothers have gotten all their world championships there. Its that same scheme, the same name, everything. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Carmichael won his five Daytona races in a row. Last year Tomac passed Webb late in the 2022 Daytona Supercross race and denied him the win, so the early lead was incredibly important. Its definitely a family affair. I leveled the truck out and it started coming down. Q: Aside from Grave Digger, is there another truck on the Monster Jam tour you think has a really cool skin/design? Power Rankings after Arlington Results and Points after Arlington But this year, I was making fast times and every time I made a pass, I was shaving time off.. While the North Carolina-based driver says she likes all kinds of music, the genre she never gets tired of is "outlaw country," or classic 1970s and 1980s country featuring a good dose of honky tonk plus classic rock and folk rhythms. If I could be a part of my own designing process, I would love to draw the truck from beginning to end. "When we pull up on the line," Anderson says, "we have no idea what's going to happen. Krysten Anderson (born May 16) is a driver out of Currituck, North Carolina who drives Grave Digger since 2017. Lawrence had one previous start at Daytona. For the third consecutive week and the fourth time overall, the top three in points stood on the podium together. "I was paying attention more to where Tony was and not where I was, and I hit a crushed car and spun out. I have to tip my cap to myself and also to Eli, Webb said. Read our full article at: https://kid. Ok so we all agree, right? Andersons willingness to create carnage on the floor elevated Grave Digger from monster truck to marketing and merchandising. As Orlando hosts the Monster Jam World Finals Friday and Saturday, monster truck legend Dennis Anderson reflects on the legacy his kids carry on. I think that another one of our cooler designs is some of our concept bodies. I'm in the stands, and I had tears of joy. Her dad created Grave Digger, the truck she drives. I was the slowest qualifier last year. 134 lb / 61 kg. In 2021, she made her Stadium Tour debut at Houston on January 30. To top it all off, despite growing up with monster trucks in her blood, she had never been behind the wheel of a monster truck until she was 18. Its a huge arena and its got even better dirt than Nashville. I've always told my kids, remember, youve got to learn to lose before you can win, but I'm going to tell you that's a hard knot to swallow when you are the flagship truck.. Ive grown in leaps and bounds over the span of four years.. Theyve added five competitions and, of course, the popular pit parties will be held from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day. Obviously, my dad doesnt really need any introduction, Anderson says. It was a dogfight., RESULTS: How they finished for the 450 Main in Daytona. In addition, 30 gallons of paint are used to paint obstacles and the Monster Jam track. It makes me so mad because theres some people who pick it up right away. Monster truck driver Krysten Anderson is following in the footsteps of her father, David Anderson, the original driver and creator of Grave Digger. With this win, Hunter joined his Jett Lawrence as the only brothers to win this race as the 250 East points leader stood on the sidelines to watch. NAACP wants reparations for Tampas Black cemeteries that governments stole, Tampa Bay harbor pilots pay raise request stirs storm at Tampas port, Hooters celebrates 40 years with specials and deals at all Tampa Bay locations, Bucs raise ticket prices by 7.5 percent on new season-pass members, State OKs Tampa Bay harbor pilots fee hikes, despite ports objections, Indoors? Building a truck takes nine months. My dads 35th anniversary of driving Grave Digger was going to be coming up in the next year and they had a seat that was opening up in Grave Digger, she says. The first two trucks had already rolled, so Anderson was focused on just not rolling at that point, which stops the time and disqualifies the driver. I was screaming louder than their fans were and they were probably looking at me like, You gotta be kidding me? You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. But, she has potential to be iconic. The females compete on the same platform, in the same competition, in the same trucks, with the same amount of time as the males doing the sport. Krysten has no fear sending that 12,000-pound truck off some jumps to get some serious air time. Hes attending his first competition in Florida since 2017 to support his kids, and to see his fans. It's just so cool that I get to meet these second-generation fans.". I think with a little time, Krysten is going to prove to the world exactly what she has the ability to do. Learning to drive one of these trucks is not an easy task. A lap later, Sexton bobbled exiting a turn and the two made contact again. As Krysten mentioned, shes never been afraid to send it and go all out for big air. Take a look at this video from her freestyle run at a Monster Jam event in Fargo, North Dakota back in 2018, and you'll see what I mean. Last year Tomac broke out of a tie with Ricky Carmichael for the most Daytona wins at six, but there was still a record hanging over him. Safety is a big priority and Anderson says she never feels at risk when on the track. Jason Anderson rounded out the top five for the third straight time and has not finished worse than seventh. Even after partnering with a promoter and growing the hobby into a fleet of trucks, he worried about where he might be in five or 10 years, fearing he would end up broke and selling everything for parts. [10] They have a daughter named Eliana Christine Anderson, born in June, 2022. Sign up for daily stories delivered to your inbox. Thrasher with a HUGE get off! As Andersons, we have a certain level of expertise for driving, Krysten told NBC Sports. Its got blue flames and its Ryans identity. Krysten Anderson (@krysten.anderson) - Instagram But, even though Dennis Anderson has ended his Monster Jam career, he still has children who followed in the same footsteps who can carry on the family legacy: Adam Anderson, Ryan Anderson, and the newest driver of the three, Krysten Anderson. I was a rookie. Want more of our free, weekly newslettersinyourinbox? if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'monstertruckguide_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_7',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-monstertruckguide_com-medrectangle-3-0');But despite being the only daughter, and being raised in the world of monster trucks, Krysten is still decidedly feminine. Living on the East Coast in North Carolina gives her easy access to some of the best and freshest seafood in the country. Jordon Smith backed up his second-place finish in Arlington with the fourth-place finish. Its been a baptism by fire, but Ive done well with the pressure so far, Anderson said. "She hoped I'd go on to college and be a veterinarian.". Dylan Ferrandis crashes in Daytona delaying return The long, strange journey of Rays spring training, Blahs and bad dreams in the pandemics fourth year, Hillsborough again seeks to redevelop MOSI property, MORE MONSTER TRUCKS: Look back at some of the different versions of Grave Digger, Monster Jam World Finals at Orlandos Camping World Stadium, MORE MONSTER TRUCKS: Meet two women who drive monster trucks, Dick Vitales gala rises above college hoops dark clouds. When you put the helmet on, were competitors and it doesnt matter if its a girl or a guy in the other lane against you, you dont want them to win you want to win. Her story is one of legacy: Anderson's father, Dennis . To this day, we still love to go out and watch races.. He started selling T-shirts in the pit parties and after the races, he started going back out on the floor and freestyling. That led to a separate category for the sport. One lap earlier, an aborted block pass almost sent both riders to the ground. There are others who struggle with it like I did, but I struggled with that for a really long time getting those skills down and getting that trick down. It was most popular in the 1970s and 1980s (for reference Willie Nelsons music would be considered Outlaw Country), Her mom never wanted her to join Monster Jam, she wanted her to become a veterinarian. Youre not a competitor. [2][7] As a junior in college, she interned with the finance department of the National Republican Congressional Committee[7] and was appointed by Florida Governor Jeb Bush to the Florida Commemorative Quarter Committee. Dennis Anderson once a tough guy behind the wheel of a truck, once a wild man running over cars got emotional the first time he watched his daughter compete in a monster truck event. Krysten is now 23 and has been driving the Grave Digger monster truck for four years. "The most successful people at World Finals just run their own race and pay attention to what's in front of them," she says. After a year on the Triple Threat Series in small arenas, it was Anderson's time to shine at the Monster Jam World Finals in Las Vegas last month. She knows she can turn to him with any questions or concerns and that he will offer her great advice. Facebook gives people the. This year's all-star Monster Jam competition is a family affair Id imagine she gets some pretty dang good tips from her fans. Fittingly, he tied the King Richard Petty for the seven wins in his sports iconic race. [8] After Mitt Romney lost the 2012 youth vote, she co-developed a guidebook outlining strategies for the Republican Party to garner more votes from young people. Oakland: Eli Tomac ties Ricky Carmichael with 48 wins It is so insane," says Anderson. That led to Anderson winning a Future Farmers of America state competition for troubleshooting engines. He finished a distant sixth in 2021, 20 seconds behind winner Cameron McAdoo. Your granddad was one, your dad was one, youre going to be one.. For the last decade, road racing has been her biggest passion as a co-founder of J2-Racing. Honestly, I think all that pressure kind of rounded me out and toughened me up and made me do even better or wanting to prove even harder that I can do this and I do belong here. Adam Anderson, Krysten Anderson and Ryan Anderson carry on the Monster Jam legacy created by their father, the original Grave Digger Dennis Anderson. As she herself pointed out, its hard for people to not take her seriously when shes part of the Anderson Dynasty. My two older brothers, Adam and Ryan, are also involved in Monster Jam and they race for the Digger team. I wanted to be part of the art team for Monster Jam and creating the artwork thats on the side of the truck, like the iconic graveyard scene on the side of Grave Digger and create the paint jobs and the wraps for it.. [1] Marie Claire declared Anderson one of the "New Guard" of fifty rising female leaders. The monster truck driver has competed in the last three Feld Entertainment Monster Jam World Finals, as well as the All-Star Challenge in 2019. [7], During the 2012 elections, she was a communications adviser to Crossroads Generation, a Republican organization focused on the youth vote. As a teenager, she had dreamed of attending college, but the world of monster trucks caught her attention. And, like I mentioned earlier many people are looking to her as a new beginning for Monster Jam, not just with more female drivers but more female fans as well. The roaring-truck spectacle owes much of its popularity to the elder Anderson, who helped build the sport after coming out of his native Kill Devil Hills, N.C., a perfect name for the rural town that gave birth to Grave Digger. Their love for them seems to have rubbed off on me. You cant create a diamond without a little bit of pressure. He is not dating anyone. I was struggling in practice straight up, Tomac told James Stewart on NBC Sports. Im also out here representing all of the girls.. Krysten has many young girl fans that look up to and admire her. She multi-talented and draws from a unique background to push herself in motorsports and in Monster Jam in particular. Im an Anderson everyone looks at me the same way they look at Adam, Ryan and my dad.. The 4 Piston Racing facility in Danville, IN houses two buildings one is 12,000 sq.-ft. and the other is 2,500 sq.-ft. Krysten is among some of the tallest women we write about, and this has certainly helped her stand out in the crowds. Is it even in my blood?, I went out there and took to it pretty naturally. Your IP: Krysten Anderson Profiles | Facebook Krysten Anderson Breaking The World Record for the Highest Jump I designed both of those pro mega trucks. Her original plan was to go to college and study studio art and graphic design. Their truck is this futuristic-looking truck. With annual shows throughout Florida, including two at Tampas Raymond James Stadium, officials believe the states adoration for the motorsport will draw well and create even more fans. I think a lot of people underestimate that. People travel from all over the world to go to Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas and see that event and watch that production. More info/Tickets: www.monsterjam.com I can be just as good as my dad and my brothers. If you ask me to do 15 backflips in a row, I can do 15 backflips in a row, she says. I felt there was no way I could turn down an opportunity like that. Krysten Anderson - Facebook A: Thats hard to pick because they really do have some pretty cool schemes on there. I got around Tom [Vialle] in the whoops and if got a little sketchy at the midpoint with a light sprinkle. But, after high school, she got a call from Monster Jam asking her if she was interested in attending Monster Jam University. How tall and how much weigh Kristen Soltis Anderson? She was set to defend her record this spring at the World Finals in Orlando, Florida, but mechanical problems forced her out of the competition, opening the door for her brother Ryan, who set a new. I had a very rough first year, Im not going to lie, Anderson says. In 2022, she would win Arena . While Krysten currently leads the Arena Championship Series Central standings, she admits that at first, when she learned that she would be competing alongside drivers such as Tony Ochs (Soldier Fortune Black Ops), Blake Granger (Max-D) and Elvis Lainez (El Toro Loco), she wasn't expecting to. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Digger! (@SupercrossLIVE) March 5, 2023. Krysten Anderson blonde to the bone and runnin on methanol 1st female to drive Grave Digger. My dad has created such a legacy and such an awesome career. Our other world champion is Linsey Read in Scooby Doo and shes our freestyle champion. "My mom and I used to sing it together all the time when I was younger," she recalls. I would sit there and watch videos and listen to peoples throttle rhythm and do this and do that. Its hard talking someone into to giving you a race when youve never been on a 450 before especially here at Daytona, Hampshire told NBC Sports Will Christien. Find out more about this up and coming diesel drag racing star. Those are my two main goals; to retire with a world championship and maybe retire in my own truck.. They see this Monster Jam driver giving her all in that arena, and witness the extraordinary things women are capable of, firsthand. Krysten Anderson | Monster Trucks Wiki | Fandom EXCLUSIVE: How Monster Jam's Krysten Anderson And Linsey Read - HotCars He ended up taking the win from me.". Dean. Adam has won five Monster Jam World Championships. And, she was also the first female driver for the Grave Digger team. Log in and Edit. How fans like to get their racing jam on with Monster Jam While in 4th grade her class took a field trip to her house because there was a huge monster truck shop attached to it. But, maybe hands down the coolest venue that Ive ever got to compete in, and Im really proud that I got to compete in it before Monster Jam stopped going there, is the Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas. July 18th, 2022. Tomac grabbed the holeshot by inches, but Webb took the early lead, but he could not shake the points leader. My brothers and my dad, as long as their careers have been, theyre always telling me that theyre impressed with me, Anderson said. Its just us. Anderson is only the third female driver to compete full-time in the Stadium series. Im only 23, so if you think about my dads career being 35 years, hes been Grave Digger my entire life. Or, I could put on the show of a lifetime. That ones pretty cool when it rolls into the arena, Im not going to lie. [5], In 2013 Time named Anderson one of the 30 People Under 30 who are changing the world. Adam drives another one of the Grave Diggers and Ryan drives Son-uva Digger. Even though Grave Digger and Max D are supposed to be archenemies and the Max D team is our biggest competitor, they do have a really cool scheme on their truck. It is a high intensity, fast-paced event that challenges both the drivers and their machines. Follow @hoop4you. I was progressing at such a rapid rate, whereas when my dad or my brothers had started, if you rewind 10 or 15 years, the caliber of racing and technical skills and stuff was nothing to where it was when I started. Racing up Thunder Alley like that is the fastest racing that we do all year and its the most fun. So, then I felt like I had to make up for lost time when I was there. #NBCSports #NASCAR #NASCARAmer. Anderson's resilience has paid off. "My mom never wanted me to be a Monster Jam driver," Anderson says. Contact Ernest Hooper at ehooper@tampabay.com. Its a family affair for Johnna, who works alongside many family, We got to visit LinCo Diesel Performance in Troy, MO, just outside St. Louis, back in early 2022. Ultimately, the drivers want the competition to be just as enjoyable for them as it is for the spectators. When complete, the truck weighs 12,000 pounds. So like I said, Krysten Anderson is not a name that can be overlooked. Krysten Anderson Spotlight | Monster Jam Finally, at the time that I tap my brakes we tap our brakes just like they would do in Motocross and that helps our wheel speed slow down and it also jars the momentum of the truck and it makes it able to level out. Keep it up, Krysten! Not that I dont love Grave Digger. I wonder if she signs a lot of autographs while shes serving? Ryan was a part of the designing process and designing his own truck. It has competed on every tour of the Triple Threat series ( Central 2017, West 2018, East 2019) and in the Showdown competition at World Finals 18, 19, and 20. She's a talented artist, can serve up a mean plate of pancakes and, most notably, can handle the 12,000-pound Grave Digger monster truck with ease. They also go to take rides of her brothers ride truck. Krysten's diet is quite intense as she has cut out several things from her diet, including gluten, fish, and dairy products. Didnt think we would hang on to it, but you know what: just so stoked., Burn it down #SupercrossLIVE #SuperMotocross pic.twitter.com/7qOnss5Nxo. My confidence wasnt high. Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading I denied. Related Articles Will Tetros Twin-Turbo 427 LS Engine Rottler F69A Setup , Content for engine professionals and enthusiasts, monster truck history or Monster Jam history, Choosing the Correct Block for Your LS Engine Build, Americas Best Engine Shops 2022 | H&H Flatheads, UNDERSTANDING OIL CLEARANCES IN ENGINE BEARINGS, Americas Best Engine Shops 2022 | 4 Piston Racing, Randy Bauer Shares His Experience as PERA President, One-on-One with Jim Dunn Racings Johnna Dunn, One-on-One with Katie Coleman of LinCo Diesel Performance, One-on-One with Monster Jam Driver Kayla Blood, One-on-One with Janine Shoffner of J2-Racing, Monster Truck Engines & the Laws of Physics, Industry Insiders: Krysten Anderson (Part 1). Family is very important to her and she loves seeing families come together to watch Monster Jam. She often gets recognized by fans when shes working at the dinertalk about a Monster Jam fans dream. Once the truck had peaked at its highest point and the truck had hadnt started coming down yet, I was like, Oh my God, how high in the air am I right now?, Once it finally started falling and coming back down to earth, I was like, I am still falling right now. Krysten Anderson is a true triple threat. Mattie Graves competes in the Outlaw Diesel Super Series (ODSS) dragster class, and is the only female doing so in a class that already has very few competitors in general. I missed all their tee ball games and soccer games, school plays. 1st female Point Series Champion. Its a family tradition for us and it is something that consumes our entire lives nothing but Grave Digger, monster trucks and Monster Jam. But these question were far from her mind when Anderson climbed up into the most famous truck in the stadium at Houston. I feel like women in motorsports have a lot to prove or we feel like we have a lot to prove to show that we belong here or that we have a place in motorsports. Praise from ones competitors is always valuable; its more impactful when it comes from family especially when ones family has the skill and reputation of the Andersons. Photo from Live Nation. Krysten is the only daughter of Dennis Anderson. Don't miss a story! Krysten is the third female Grave Digger driver, behind. Krysten Anderson, 21, has rounded out her first year as a professional Monster Jam truck driver with Grave Digger as her chariot. The Monster Jam truck is considered one of the most iconic and recognizable monster trucks in the world. "I was the slowest qualifier last year. She was a little nervous about how she would be received and there were a few mixed reactions but overall she has been accepted and adored by the fans. She is the daughter of Dennis Anderson and the sister of Adam, Ryan, and Weston Anderson. I'm not thinking about what could happen when I get out there because you never know what could go down while out on the track. But almost every parent understands the emotion that overcame Anderson. Other. [5] In 2013 Time named Anderson one of the 30 People Under 30 who are changing the world. He'd gotten the faster qualifying time, which put her in the less favorable lane. Watch this interview to get a glimpse into her world. Lawrence scored his eighth 250 victory after pulling away from the field. Krysten Anderson (Monster Jam/Feld . Necessity is the mother of all invention, and it certainly played a role in the founding of Choate Engineering Performance. But Anderson still uses the hashtag #mamatried on social media, which her mom thinks is funny. "I didn't want to look back, I didn't want it to be a big 'what if,'" she says. My brother, Ryan Anderson, drives a truck called Son Uva Digger, which is a flip off of Grave Digger, but his is a different design. On Lap 1 of the Main, he cleaned out last weeks winner Nate Thrasher. Theres lots of goals, honestly, Id like to accomplish, Anderson says. My dad said, Youre spoiling them. I said, Dad, everything I buy them has got a motor on it. I realized this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a lot of people. If I sit and think too long, I get nervous and lose my composure, so I just casually put my gear on and let my instincts take over. But, even though Dennis Anderson has ended his Monster Jam career, he still has children who followed in the same footsteps who can carry on the family legacy: Adam Anderson, Ryan Anderson, and the newest driver of the three, Krysten Anderson. Hey Krysten, if you ever want to hang out just let me know, okay? It was not a huge surprise, however, since he finished fourth in his first two races at Houston and Tampa. Andersons dont settle for a second when they can achieve first. Can you imagine what it would be like to have one of your Monster Jam idols as your waitress??? When shes not touring she works as a server in her familys restaurant, Diggers Diner. 2017 - Grave Digger (DDS) (Grandma Grave Digger 35th anniversary encore), 2022 - Grave Digger (main + high jump) (Grave Digger 25th Anniversary for the 40th Anniversary encore). Its just eyes on the prize. I wouldn't be surprised to even see her become a World Finals champion down the road. It was rough for me. Now he oversees their efforts, unabashedly admitting to living through their performances. Actually, before that we had contact on the double before the shelf, but we both stayed up.