On Saturday, July 1, monster truck driver ThunderROARus Colton Eichelberger set a new world record by jumping nine monster trucks side by side — but before Eichelberger can take on the challenge, he needs guidance from a Legend of Monster Jam: Tom Meents. And two days before the stunt race, I had the opportunity to talk to Meents about what it takes to guide a rider down in history.
Full disclosure: Monster Jam invited me to join the series at Worlds XXII Finals in Nashville, Tennessee, where it took me over the weekend and hosted a huge amount of behind-the-scenes access — includes an hour-long roundtable interview featuring iconic Tom Meents.
After decades of competition, Meents was philosophical in answering our questions during a roundtable interview. He chooses his words carefully, often after looking out at the still-dry rails wistfully. Every time he speaks, it’s the kind of consideration you’d expect from a legend and longtime teacher at Monster Jam University.
“I can tell you the truth, we never did,” Meents told Jalopnik during the roundtable after I asked him and Eichelberger how prepared they were to accomplish the feat that required them to do so. rigorously asked.
“Some requirements will be traction – which, if [the jump] happens today, it’s going to be a challenge,” he said, referring to the wet track.
“We had a big race with short stopping distances, so we found the right gear, the right attitude to have in the air. Do you need to stop the tire in the air so that when it lands, it is braked first? You just have to imagine.
While all of Monster Jam’s competitors are like an extended family, Meents and Eichelberger are exactly that: Eichelberger is Meents’ stepchild and has been on Meents in the past, while also making his name on it. Book record with seven points -jump truck at World Finals 20.
It’s hard for anyone to hop on nine trucks, but Eichelberger will face a unique challenge: he’s forced to drop his scheduled tour in 2022, in an attempt to make it through the ring. XXII World Finals to officially return to Monster Jam. Going back to competition just to face one of the toughest feats in Monster Jam history up to that point won’t be easy — but Meents has revealed a little about how his guide has aided Eichelberger .
“The cool thing about Colton is that he’s a young dad […] and I could just get him out of all those thoughts,” Meents said. “With my stunt experience, I can help ease his anxiety, so all he has to think about is getting in the truck and hitting the switch.”
A severe thunderstorm delayed the start of the World Finals, leaving the track wet. As soon as the two-wheeler skills test was over, the trucks were about to roll into place, spanning a significant portion of the stadium. Meents watched before running to give Eichelberger some final advice. The pomp and circumstance were quickly cut short by the rain, and shortly after, ThunderROARus lined up at the gate. The giant engine screamed, and then he turned it off.
For nearly four seconds, Eichelberger soared into the air as fireworks flew across the track. Then his wheel is on the ground. He landed it.
Sure, the ThunderROARus slipped into the wall and lost some of its fiberglass bodywork — but that’s a small price to pay for another entry in the record books.
