To this day, we still love to go out and watch races.. [8] She co-hosts a podcast called The Pollsters. Meet Krysten Anderson, the first and only female driver of Grave Digger. Before the Daytona race, he said the dirt was trickier than he expected. "The only time I ever really get nervous in the truck is right before I'm about to go out," Anderson says. In his fourth 250 East start, Haiden Deegan scored his first career podium. She drives Monster Mutt Dalmatian. Her siblings, Ryan and Adam, also compete in Monster Jam . I can draw pretty well. Anaheim 2: Triple Crown produces new winners Chase Sexton, Levi Kitchen The daughter of Dennis Anderson, she grew up around the Grave Digger truck -- one of the most iconic in all of monster truck racing. Racing for third midway through the race, Sexton pushed Barcia wide. This is a sick moment for me right now. in political science in 2005; she obtained her M.A. Not that I dont love Grave Digger. Thats something that my youngest brother Weston actually does right now. Aired on Discover Channel on August 8, Krysten and her Grave Digger monster truck set the new record for the high jump at 33.8 ft. crushing the old record by 12.5 ft. To be able to get out on a big spectrum like that and actually hit a metal ramp thats even more abrupt and sharper than the stadium ramp that my brothers hit and really air that thing out and set a Guinness Book of World Records and put my name in the Guinness Book was really awesome, Anderson says. Of course, youre also in the city of Las Vegas, so thats awesome. In 2023, she will drive Grave Digger on Arena Tour 1 (West). He apparently missed the limelight of standing on the podium because he outlasted most of the field to finish second and keep his top-five streak alive. I think maybe here in a few more years Ill be at a very competitive level. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. They were going to add another arena tour to the Monster Jam fleet and to our circuit. 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. 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. In 2017, Anderson competed on the Triple Threat Series, a 10-city tour that challenged athletes in their ability to handle Monster Jam trucks, ATVs and Speedsters. NBC Sports is proud to celebrate Womens History Month. Not too surprising because as we learned previously, Krysten certainly loves her country music. Update: Dylan Ferrandis return to racing delayed after Daytona Media Day RJ Hampshire to debut in Supercross 450 class at Daytona. You go into almost a Terminator mode where its no fun and games anymore. "I realized that my life was different from other little girls around the fourth grade," she says. Krysten Anderson is a true triple threat. Krysten Anderson (Monster Jam/Feld . [9], In 2014, she left The Winston Group and founded research organization Echelon Insights with Patrick Ruffini. We recently spoke to Randy about his PERA presidency and what some of the biggest hurdles are facing the engine remanufacturing industry right now. She is the daughter of Dennis Anderson and the sister of Adam, Ryan, and Weston Anderson. Three years later, Im still doing it.. In 2020, she broke the World Record for the highest leap in a Monster Truck at 33 ft, 9.6 in. Didnt think we would hang on to it, but you know what: just so stoked., Burn it down #SupercrossLIVE #SuperMotocross pic.twitter.com/7qOnss5Nxo. That is where every world champion had been crowned to date all the way up until we moved to the Camping World Stadium in Florida. Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas is my favorite stadium. Krysten has many young girl fans that look up to and admire her. He ended up taking the win from me.". Im also out here representing all of the girls.. Other. Dennis stated that the first time he saw Krysten in a mud truck, he knew she had what it took. When he told friends he had to hit the road to go perform, they said, You act like youre some kind of rock star.. ", Monster Jam tech officials act as the drivers' eyes in the back of their head. High school field? Houston: Tomac bounces back from A2 crash to win third race of 2023 I could care less about anything else. That would be cool. It was in 4th grade that really realized her life was different than most peoples. #SupercrossLIVE #SuperMotocross pic.twitter.com/Jj4Iza7pvx, Arlington: Cooper Webb wins for second time, closes to two of Tomac While in 4th grade her class took a field trip to her house because there was a huge monster truck shop attached to it. I hit it nice and square and then I came up in the air and the truck just kept climbing and climbing and climbing. Eli Tomac wins sixth Daytona SX race, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Flipboard (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). ", On her first race of the night, Anderson was up against Tony Ochs in Black Ops. I remember being in the bottom of the rig playing with my monster trucks. Monster Jam truck tires are designed differently to satisfy various track conditions and driver preference. This physically demanding Monster Jam series is awesome to watch and Krysten has demonstrated all kinds of growth and skill during her time on the tour. Dennis Anderson is one of OGs of Monster Jam and he has built an amazing brand a reputation with Grave Digger and is one of the greatest drivers of all time. Starting out as a Triple Threat Series athlete, Anderson had to attend 100 hours of Monster Jam University before competing in any events. I told the guys we were going to get a holeshot no matter what. Krysten Anderson made history as the first woman to drive the Grave Digger full time. Our other world champion is Linsey Read in Scooby Doo and shes our freestyle champion. "I was paying attention more to where Tony was and not where I was, and I hit a crushed car and spun out. Because obviously theres more to her than the fact that shes a rad lady Monster Jam driver. The shop is very heavily focused on Honda cylinder heads and engine work to the tune of 300+ engines and 1,000 cylinder heads annually! In 2021, she made her Stadium Tour debut at Houston on January 30. I have those butterflies all the way up my throat and down to the tips of my toes. We all agree that Krysten sounds dope. I think thats awesome because its all an equal playing field. You want me to go do some kind of insane jump or something like that. I had a very rough first year, Im not going to lie, Anderson says. Tomac grabbed the holeshot by inches, but Webb took the early lead, but he could not shake the points leader. They had never, ever had a female drive Grave Digger before and they thought who better than Dennis only daughter Krysten. I was consistently getting beat by a second there, but when the lights come on here the track comes to me and I really find my flow again., With this win @EliTomac passes @RickyCarmichael for 3rd on the All-Time wins list , Monster Energy 450 Main Event LIVE fueled by @Amazon#SupercrossLIVE #SuperMotocross pic.twitter.com/MIpwPsU24R, Supercross LIVE! If you had asked me when I was 18 years old if this is where I'd be by 21 -- verified on Instagram, pushing 40,000 followers, racing a truck overseas and all over this country. I think that its great that Monster Jam has created this space for us females to show the guys what we got and that we do belong here and that we are tough competitors.. I loved it. I wanted to go and learn how to do it digitally, but I still wanted to be involved with my dads family business and what weve always done. This is the first time Feld Entertainment has staged the Monster Jam World Finals outside of Las Vegas. in government from Johns Hopkins University in 2009. He remounted and climbed back to 10th at the checkers. After speaking with Kaylynn Simmons a couple years ago, we found out there are only a few women who work on the pit crews of the NHRA teams. 5 ft 5 in / 165 cm. Making his debut on a 450, RJ Hampshire had a remarkable weekend and top-10 finish. She has talked often about how grateful she is for her parents and how well they raised her. I was hoping I didnt bump him and mess something up on the bike. I'm a father of 2 little boys that LOVE Monster Trucks. Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading I denied. I dont really get a lot of backlash from anyone, she told ESPN. Initially, she wanted to work for Monster Jam designing the trucks instead of driving them. Height and Weight 2023. A lot of times I didn't have as much patience with my family as I did with my fans and, and it took me a little while to realize that, Anderson said. Lawrence had one previous start at Daytona. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'monstertruckguide_com-box-3','ezslot_9',106,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-monstertruckguide_com-box-3-0'); But even though being part of a Monster Jam family dynasty has opened doors for Krysten she had earned her fans an amazing reputation all on her own. And that is precisely what she did in Houston. Since hes retired from Monster Jam, hes gotten back into mud racing and mega truck racing and races with my little brother. But, she has potential to be iconic. The Players' Tribune, which publishes first-person stories from top athletes, is featuring Monster Jam driver Krysten Anderson. August 19th, 2022. ", "When I pull out on the tracks," she says, "I have no idea what's going to happen. All the way from the start, me and Cooper [Webb] just locked up into two the whole time, Tomac said from the top spot of the podium as the stands emptied and fans rushed the stage. With his 2008 Monster Jam World Finals Freestyle Championship, Adam holds the record for youngest titleholder at 22. I couldn't even make it down the track correctly," she says. And around their neck is a specially designed harness that provides stability during impact. But while he built the brand, he didnt build strong family ties. Eli Tomac extends contract Most Monster Jam trucks have the driver seated in the center of the vehicle so they can best see the track and for weight distribution. I realized this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a lot of people. Authored by Samuel Reiman on February 16, 2019. He loved it so much & was excited to tell you thank you, even if he acted shy Thank you also for taking the time out of your busy day to make it! One of the main goals that Id like to accomplish is to retire with at least one world championship under my belt. I have to tip my cap to myself and also to Eli, Webb said. So why dont we get to know a little more about the amazing Krysten Anderson? "The most successful people at World Finals just run their own race and pay attention to what's in front of them," she says. I hope when it comes time for me to retire Ill have multiple World Championships under my belt.. "My mom and I used to sing it together all the time when I was younger," she recalls. My friends from high school would say they always knew I was going to drive, but it's just crazy to me to be here, doing it. 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. I think a lot of people underestimate that. However, when you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. I felt there was no way I could turn down an opportunity like that. ", Monster Jam has been involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation for years. My brothers have gotten all their world championships there. It was a lot of fun and I think its pretty cool to see my artwork on the side of a truck and see it racing and doing really well and winning races. "I don't try to overthink anything. Ansties runner-up finish elevated him to second in the points, 14 behind Lawrence. For Krysten Anderson, 23, of Currituck, North Carolina, Monster Jam is a family affair. It can be a lot of pressure sometimes, but it fuels me when I have a rough show and Im getting the feedback of it, Anderson said. 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. This shops dedication to quality engine work, its growth, its machining capabilities and its impact in the diesel industry, all make Choate Engineering Performance well deserving of Engine Builders and Autolites 2022 Americas Best Diesel Engine Shop award. It was a dogfight., RESULTS: How they finished for the 450 Main in Daytona. I was brand new. People travel from all over the world to go to Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas and see that event and watch that production. Her dad created Grave Digger, the truck she drives. Carving just one tire requires over 50 hours of labor, according to Monster Jam. "Like in a regular car, the steering wheel controls the front tires, but Monster Truck drivers use the silver toggle on the left to control and turn the rear tires. This ended up pushing him into retirement earlier than expected. Id imagine she gets some pretty dang good tips from her fans. Man this is special. Only Cory Rummell in a truck named Rage was better the second night with his 9.551. Adding her name to the Guinness Book of World Records has proven that Krysten has become a more well-rounded driver since her rookie days, and she has her eyes on becoming one of the top women in the sport and one of the top drivers in Monster Jam period. Kristen and Chris Anderson were married on April 28, 2012. Theyre all world champions. Her original plan was to go to college and study studio art and graphic design. 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. Feld Motor Sports. Those bodies are all 3D and are really cool. Krysten realized she couldnt pass on such an amazing opportunity..and so she officially entered into the family business. And if family history tells us anything shes going to make it big. The Monster Jam truck is considered one of the most iconic and recognizable monster trucks in the world. But, after high school, she got a call from Monster Jam asking her if she was interested in attending Monster Jam University. And her younger brother, Westin, is hoping to pursue a career with Monster Jam once hes old enough. Anderson was the third of her siblings to follow in her dads tire tracks when she joined the tour in 2016. Dean. It was rough for me. Krysten Anderson was born into monster truck driving. [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. 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. Despite her instant fame and name recognition in the Monster Jam world she seems very down to earth and approachable. '", At Anderson's first World Finals in 2017, she was nervous. "If Dawn and my dad were racing, I had to say, 'Sorry, Dawn! She's obviously been surrounded by the Grave Digger brand since she was a child, but now aims at defining her own name. A: Its really tight between two arenas. Learning to drive one of these trucks is not an easy task. The popularity made Anderson a star as he barnstormed across the country hauling his trucks in a Peterbuilt tractor trailer. I didnt want to look back, I didnt want it to be a big what if,' she told ESPN. They needed a Grave Digger driver. After the truck is on I pull the black fuel knob to get fuel into the engine and start the truck," says Anderson. It's just so cool that I get to meet these second-generation fans.". [8] As a senior, she interned at The Winston Group, an opinion research and political communications firm based in Washington, D.C.[7], After graduation in 2005, she accepted a full-time position with The Winston Group, where she focused on the youth vote and education reform. Join Facebook to connect with Krysten Anderson and others you may know. "The kids in my class took a field trip to my house because we had a huge monster truck shop and gift [store] attached to it. Digger! You can witness Super Bowls, attend the World Series or root for your favorite college every fall Saturday, but nothing quite compares to watching one of your children compete at a high level in sports. Its really hard to explain when that adrenaline hits your head. I had the pressure of being an Anderson and my dad and my brothers had always brought the show home all the time. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'monstertruckguide_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',109,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-monstertruckguide_com-medrectangle-4-0');With how important family it to Krysten its no surprise that one of the things that drew her to Monster Jam was how family-friendly it was. My dad has so much history there. We have no choice but to learn on the fly and learn these tricks, because if youre not honing these skills in and learning these tricks and doing this or that, then you dont have a dog in the fight, she says. As. She multi-talented and draws from a unique background to push herself in motorsports and in Monster Jam in particular. Shes been quoted saying her dad is her role model and she makes frequent Instagram posts about how much she loves and appreciates her mom. Ultimately her mom came around and is in full support of her daughter's career path. [7] She graduated from the University of Florida with a B.A. Theres no female, theres no male. And then she went out and won that part of the competition. Krysten Anderson (born May 16) is a driver out of Currituck, North Carolina who drives Grave Digger since 2017. This series involves driving a monster truck, a speedster, and an ATV. Adam drives another one of the Grave Diggers and Ryan drives Son-uva Digger. Andersons willingness to create carnage on the floor elevated Grave Digger from monster truck to marketing and merchandising. The original Grave Digger remains driven, but he misses driving the truck. Its the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN. Originally from Currituck, North Carolina, Krysten became an official driver back in 2017, which is around the same time as Dennis's accident. I was the first and only female to ever drive Grave Digger and Im the only female Anderson. He called it the moonwalk you balance the truck on its nose and you put it in first or reverse and ride it forward or ride it all the way backwards. I couldnt even make it down the track correctly, she told ESPN in 2018. Jett won this race last year. Building a truck takes nine months. "I don't really get a lot of backlash from anyone," she says. My brothers, they came out swinging both of them are going on 10 and 15 years of having a really awesome career. Sign up for daily stories delivered to your inbox. I couldnt care less about anything else.. He is now five behind Webb and 10 behind Tomac in a season where none of these three riders have been able to gain a distinct advantage. I can never quit. Thats where you pick a passion up for it. 1st female Point Series Champion. We work too hard at this to not enjoy this.. Standing at 5 feet, 7 inches, just a little taller than the tires on the monster truck she drives and lets fly in stadiums and arenas around the world, she learned the basics of commanding a 12-foot-wide, 12,000-pound vehicle at Monster Jam's training facility in Illinois. After earning podium finishes in his first two races, Max Anstie struggled in the Triple Crown format in Arlington, but still finished among the top five. Oakland: Eli Tomac ties Ricky Carmichael with 48 wins As Andersons, we have a certain level of expertise for driving, Krysten told NBC Sports. Weight. 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. After getting dumped by Lawrence, Thrasher was working his way back through the field and running 10th when he crashed a second time. 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. Krysten is among some of the tallest women we write about, and this has certainly helped her stand out in the crowds. That amazing Anderson driving DNA runs through her blood and she knows how to use it. So, I was rushing through a love relationship with them, buying them go-karts, buying them stuff. Hes gotten all of his world championships there. I had to learn at a very aggressive rate.. [11], Soltis Anderson has a golden retriever named Wallace ("Wally"). I think with a little time, Krysten is going to prove to the world exactly what she has the ability to do. I guess when the family business is a mega-successful and mega-cool monster truck its hard to not follow suit. Yes, someone sleeps with Grave Digger every night. Now add a family legacy, an iconic truck, gender politics, as well as a shortened 2020 season that limited her seat time and youll start to understand the pressure of Andersons Stadium Series debut. You cant know monster trucks and not know Anderson. Krysten proves to be a very positive role model for women out there, especially the little girls. And, she was also the first female driver for the Grave Digger team. Im going to guess yes. The next night, she finished second in the Freestyle Competition. Anderson has cohosted two live media blogs: The Week In Blog for Bloggingheads.tv and Wilshire and Washington for Variety. When complete, the truck weighs 12,000 pounds. She has 3 brothers. 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). Contact Ernest Hooper at ehooper@tampabay.com. And the reason that I'm nervous is because, you know, my boys are the reigning world champions (Adam in racing, Ryan in freestyle). Log in and Edit. Want more of our free, weekly newslettersinyourinbox? Todd LeDuc, who drives Mutant Super Soda for Monster Energy and is a veteran Monster Jam participant and world champion, takes some of the newer recruits through Thunder Alley. Tomac stayed on his back tire until a little mistake with 12 minutes remaining on the clock allowed Tomac to pass. Second, or maybe even above that is the Tacoma Dome in Seattle. Im still trying to perfect it. 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. When I was in high school, I kind of nosed away from monster trucks and motorsports a little bit. 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.