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Professional Monster Truck Driver
Contending in his 27th year in a sport where very few individuals have lasted for more than a handful of years, Dennis Anderson, driver and creator of the Grave Digger® monster truck is widely considered the greatest professional monster truck driver in the history of the sport. His passion for trucks, racing and the outdoors has inspired Dennis to become the champion he is today. Commonly known as the creator of the Monster Jam freestyle competition, Anderson has assertively paved the road for generations to come with his never-say-can’t, never-say-quit attitude. Recognized for his aggressive go-hard or go-home riding style Anderson continues to motivate all generations for years to come.
Click below to listen to 10 minute interview.
Resources
1. About Dennis & Grave Digger: www.gravedigger.com
2. Monster Jam: www.monsterjam.com
3. Patrick Enterprises: http://www.samson4x4.com/chassis.htm
4. UTI (Universal Technical Institute): www.uti.edu
5. Go to pit parties before shows to meet Dennis and other drivers: http://www.monsterjam.com/showList
About Dennis Anderson
Grave Digger is the world's best known monster truck. With it's high-speed racing, insane freestyle, and awe-inspiring crashes, Grave Digger guarantees to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
Back in 1981, in an old garage in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, Dennis Anderson created a monster. Originally, Anderson pieced together his machine from old parts of discarded vehicles. The original "mud-bogging" truck was supported by the corroded chassis of a 1952 Ford pickup and ran on the innards of a high-performance Chevy engine. Although his competitors had the advantage of high-tech equipment, Anderson boasted to them I'll take this old junk and dig you a grave." With these words the legend of Grave Digger was born.
The most recent Grave Digger, Grave Digger XIX, is a colossal improvement on the original monster. Bearing the ghostly image created by painter Fred Bumann, it is a machine to be reckoned with. To help Grave Digger absorb the landing after a 100-foot jump, it has nitrogen shock absorbers, creating a massive 26 inches of travel. In order to take flight, Grave Digger has a 540 cubic inch blown alcohol injected Chevrolet Big Block engine, which produces approximately 1500 horsepower. This engine is the same that you would see in the top NHRA drag racing vehicles. The drive train is also composed of a custom built transmission that is literally bulletproof. The 10,000 pound monster crushes cars like ants with 66 inch Goodyear "Terra Tires".
To maintain a truck like this is no easy task, especially if you have seen Grave Digger in action. The cost of one truck is nearly $250,000 including over $100,000 in spare parts such as engines and transmissions. The engine alone costs $50,000. The sport of monster truck racing is brutal on the trucks and demands constant repairs, which keeps the Grave Digger team working around the clock.
At home on the beaches of the southeastern United States, Anderson's fame is a product of his never-say-done, never-say-quit, never-say-can't attitude.
Rounding the corner on his 43rd birthday this year, Anderson spent most of this year recupearting from an injured hand.
He spent early fall 2003 helping FEMA clean up after hurricane Isabel when his beloved Outer Banks were pummelled by 90-110 mile-per-hour winds.
Grave Digger is the most popular truck in monster truck racing history. In the year 2003 alone, Grave Digger raced in roughly 80 cities, and traveled to many more for promotional appearances. To see Grave Digger live in action, tear down to the next U.S. Hot Rod Monster Jam at an arena or stadium near you!
Professional Arenacross Rider
Jeff Gibson is the 2009 AMA Arenacross champion and former competitor of the AMA Supercross series. He transferred over from the AMA Supercross series where he competed for nine years in both the Supercross and Supercross Lites class, earning six top 10 finishes. In 2009, Jeff headed back to the AMA Arenacross series and proved he was the rider to beat by earning six first place finishes, six top-three finishes and an additional four top 10 finishes which complimented him winning the 2009 AMA Arenacross Series championship.
Click below to listen to 10 minute interview.
Resources
1. About Jeff Gibson: www.tufracing.net
2. Arenacross: www.arenacross.com
3. The American Motorcyclist Association: www.ama-cycle.org
4. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes: www.fca.org
About Jeff Gibson
Jeff Gibson, 2009 AMA Arenacross champion and former competitor of the AMA Supercross series is an outstanding athlete on and off the track. An Ohio native, Gibson transfers over from the AMA Supercross series where he competed for nine years in both the Supercross and Supercross Lites class earning six top 10 finishes. In 2009, Gibson headed back to the AMA Arenacross series and proved he was the rider to beat by earning six first place finishes, six top-three finishes and an additional four top 10 finishes which complimented him winning the 2009 AMA Arenacross Series championship. Gibson’s value-driven attitude and transparent velocity on the track has played a prominent role in his success. Fighting to become the title holder was one thing, defending his reign as the leader is another. Gibson is a threat to win every time he takes the circuit. With one AMA Arenacross class title under his belt, Gibson has no doubts that the 2010 season will consist of fierce, bar-to-bar action amongst other top AMA Arenacross competitors.
Professional Drag Racer
Bruce Litton was the 2007 IHRA Top Fuel world champion and is fifth on the all-time win list with 15 victories and second in career final round appearances. Without a doubt the most consistent Top Fuel team in IHRA professional drag racing, Bruce and his Lucas Oil team always have the popular red, white and blue machine at the top of the charts in qualifying and as a top contender on race day. Bruce is well known for his legendary battles with world champion Clay Millican. During the early 2000s the two met dozens of times in the finals, as nearly ever race came down to one of the two legends. Bruce finally broke free from the shadow of Millican with his first career championship in 2007.
Click below to listen to 10 minute interview.
Resources
1. About Bruce: www.brucelitton.com
2. IHRA: www.ihra.com
3. Lucas Oil Team: www.lucasoil.com
4. WyoTech School: www.wyotech.edu
5. Frank Hawley School: www.frankhawley.com
About Bruce Litton
One of the most likeable drivers in all of racing, Top Fuel veteran Bruce Litton might fool you when you first come across him. Despite a shining smile and a warm demeanor, Litton is actually one of the fiercest competitors in all of drag racing as evident by his incredible 45 career final round appearances. Litton, the 2007 IHRA Top Fuel world champion, is fifth on the all-time win list with 15 victories and second in career final round appearances. Without a doubt the most consistent Top Fuel team in IHRA professional drag racing, Litton and his Lucas Oil team always have the popular red, white and blue machine at the top of the charts in qualifying and as a top contender on race day. Litton is well known for his legendary battles with seven-time world champion Clay Millican. During the early 2000s the two met dozens of times in the finals as nearly ever race came down to one of the two IHRA legends. Litton finally broke free from the shadow of Millican with his first career championship in 2007.