My name is Joan and I work as the Social Network liaison for Feld Motor Sports, Inc. I had the opportunity to attend my first Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam® in Cincinnati and was asked to play the role as a field reporter.

9:00am – GOOD MORNING CINCINNATI!

11:00am – Hopped in a taxi from the hotel to head over to Paul Brown Stadium for my first ever Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam! The stadium was only two minutes away but I managed to have an in-depth conversation with the taxi driver all about Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam. I don’t know who was more excited – me, or him being able to drive me to my first Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam. As we pulled up to the stadium he asked where I would like to be dropped off and this being my first Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam I had no idea what to tell him. He dropped me off by a ticket window and I figured I could find my way from there. It took nearly three laps around the stadium before I figured out where I needed to go thanks to the help of my colleague Jessica Priske who works on the operations side of Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam.

11:30am – Arrived at the locker room where employees and drivers get ready, also called the show office. The first driver I ran into was Tom Meents. At first I thought I was dreaming, I have seen so many pictures and videos of these drivers, it was almost surreal being in person next to them. I then continued walking through the show office and got to meet some of the camera crew filming for SPEED. I watched them prep cameras and sound equipment for the Built Ford Tough Party in the Pits and for the show.

12:15pm – Walked outside of the show office into the tunnel. The massive size of the tunnel is what made me realize I am at an Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam event! I got to watch as they staged each truck onto the stadium dirt setting up for the Built Ford Tough Party in the Pits. I kept trying to get closer and closer to get pictures and was asked to move back… my safety comes before my enthusiasm! The track was a bit dusty with the humid weather so I watched them wax the trucks and tires to freshen them up in the stadium before the Built Ford Tough Party in the Pits.

 

 

12:45pm – I walked the track and took some pictures. At this point I was still in awe of how large these trucks really are! During my track walk I got to meet up with some interesting people. I first met the crew of Core Action. They were super nice and so passionate about what they do! They shot different videos of fans and drivers and you are able to retrieve these from their website and share them on your social media pages. I then ran into Keith Speller (the Director of Operations Monster Truck Bookings for Feld Motor Sports). He introduced me to Linsey Weenk, the driver of Blue Thunder®. We were talking about Monster Jam social media and I was telling him how he needs to get a Facebook page to keep up with all his fans! Then I was introduced to the Anderson brothers, Ryan and Adam. These guys are so down to earth you would not even know they are famous. I was explaining to them how it was my first Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam event and they were very excited for me and hoped for the best! I wished them luck as I walked away (little did I know Ryan would take home the Freestyle win and Adam’s engine would breakdown)…guess I am good and bad luck?!

 

 

1:30pm – Back to the air conditioned show office…did I mention it was 90 degrees in Cincinnati! In the show office I got a whiff of something delicious, so naturally I scoped it out. As I was walking to find this amazing smell I saw the driver of Advance Auto Parts GrinderTM, Lupe Soza. He was tucked in a locker texting on his cell phone. The fan in me came out as I said, “Can I take a picture of you?” and he laughed and said sure. So here it is…. As I continued on, I finally found where the smell was coming from, the drivers lounge! Every driver was in there filling their bellies with pasta before the Built Ford Tough Party in the Pits.

 

 

2:00pm – BUILT FORD TOUGH PARTY IN THE PITS TIME!!!!! Wow there was a lot of people there! From long time followers to new comers, the age range of the fans was astonishing! The lines were already filling up, so I decided to just walk around and soak it all in. As I was walking around I ran into another co-worker, Eric Hoffman, who is an Event Manager. He introduced me to some of the track officials and crew team. Since I am an Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam rookie, I asked them what exactly they do. The track official’s job is difficult and extremely important. Their main concern is the safety of the drivers and fans!

3:00pm – I made sure to be right by the Taz monster truck , they were about to put the wheels on the truck in front of everyone! I figured this would be a perfect opportunity to witness something different. Each wheel takes like 10-15 minutes to put on, a more lengthy process than I thought! I then proceeded to the Spider-Man™ truck which was about to have the body put on. The crew team worked meticulously to place the body onto the frame in front of all the fans! This was another cool experience. I also enjoyed seeing all the fans reactions and the amount of pictures being taken.

 

          
 

5:00pm – The Built Ford Tough Party in the Pits had just ended and I needed to get out of the way so the crew could finish setting up the track for the show. At this time I made my way to the press box to post a couple updates to our Facebook page about my experience thus far. In the press box I ran into a Cincinnati Bengals employee who was amazed at what we did to “his field”. He watched the crew move the dirt and create the obstacles and was ready to see what these monster trucks can do! From the press box, I watched the breakdown of the Built Ford Tough Party in the Pits. I could not believe how quickly and efficiently this was done. After I made my updates, it was time to find a seat among the fans and enjoy the show.

5:45pm – One would think I was Goldilocks trying to find a seat. I was not satisfied with my original press box seat so I moved. I wanted to make use of my “All Access” badge so I went down to the 100 level seats and made my way towards the front. I sat there for a minute and realized I wanted to be higher up. So I finally made my way to the 200 level and settled in a perfect spot. I was sitting with co workers, Jessica and Eric. I was also seated with the families of those who have loved ones in the Air Force. These families were introduced in the opening ceremonies! It was the first Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam for some of them, so we had a nice connection and had some great conversations.

7:00pm – SHOW TIME! At this point I just sat there in a daze. I was like a kid in a candy store! I was in my own world! I never thought I could be so nervous for such a fun event. Thank goodness I had someone’s arm to grab next to me when I would get nervous and excited. This show was everything I expected and more! During the intermission, I needed something to quench my thirst. Eric came back with an Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam water bottle filled with ICE COLD LEMONADE for me. A perfect souvenir and something I can use forever! It looked like Dennis Anderson was out early with a popped tire after a rough landing off the racing ramp, but right before the semi final race, out comes a roaring Grave Digger® with a new tire! He then proceeded to win the racing title. My favorite part of freestyle was when Ryan Anderson smashed the remainder of the cheese coney RV during his jaw-dropping freestyle run.

 

           

After the show I went back to the show office and ran into more Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam drivers. They were getting ready for the post-show autograph session, so I didn’t have much time to talk to them. I also got to see Ryan Anderson with his big freestyle trophy and told him congratulations. He was at a loss for words with his excitement!

When I got back to my hotel, I was so hungry. It was a long day packed with so much excitement! To end my trip in Cincinnati, I had to consume what they are known for: a Cheese Coney! YUM YUM YUM. I could have eaten 10 but I stuck to just one!

I am so lucky to have been able to attend my first ever Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam in such a beautiful city and stadium! This experience was incredible. I now understand why fans go to so many shows! The action and thrill is addicting. I can’t wait to attend another one soon!

While this was my first Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam it certainly will not be my last. Remember to keep checking Facebook for frequent updates and adventures. For those of you not a Facebook fan of Monster Jam, what are you waiting for?! (www.facebook.com/mjonline)

See you at a show soon!
Joan