Monster Jam Update
Recent Achievements
Bryce Kenny (Great Clips Mohawk Warrior) – Syracuse, NY – recorded his first career stadium Freestyle win.
Adam Anderson (Grave Digger) – Syracuse, NY – maintained a perfect record in Racing Finals, now 8-0
Cole Venard (The Black Pearl) – Minneapolis, MN – recorded his second career Racing championship
Becky McDonough (El Toro Loco) – Minneapolis, MN – first stadium Freestyle championship of 2018 (at the place where she won her first career Freestyle in 2016)
Tyler Menninga (Grave Digger) – Little Rock, AR – six Racing wins to increase his 2018 record to 83-8
Coty Saucier (Mutant) – Baton Rouge, LA & Chattanooga, TN – Unbeaten in racing
Linsey Read (Scooby-Doo) – Little Rock, AR & Knoxville, TN – Freestyle wins
Steve Thompson (Hurricane Force) – Hamilton, ON – 2 Freestyle wins
Darren Migues (Nitro Menace) – Hamilton, ON – first career Event Championship
Spotlight: Coty Saucier
Coty Saucier is the epitome of what can happen when you combine aspiration, inspiration and dedication. Growing up, he wanted to be a Monster Jam driver and turned dream into purpose into practical reality. Today, he has achieved the basic goal but it has gone far behind the driver’s seat. If he’s not driving a Monster Jam, he’s working on one in some form or fashion.
“I never thought I’d be this involved,” he said from his work station inside the shock room at the Feld Monster Jam shop. “I never imagined being able to do media or to drive in as many shows. I knew I definitely wanted to be involved and I love being involved in as much as I am.”
As driver of the Monster Energy/Mutant F-150 bodied Monster Jam truck, Coty’s experience as a crew chief serves him well and the record shows. In his first appearance in 2018, Coty came within a point of a perfect night. He has recorded a career record of 69-35 in Stadium Racing, scoring seven championships included two this season. He has won five Stadium Freestyle competitions.
While most of his activity in 2018 centered on stadium, Coty has recently been up to the challenge of smaller arenas where Monster Jam competes in multiple shows on a given weekend. As expected, that requires a mindset change.
“It’s totally different,” he said about arena competition. “You have to remember that you are in a confined space and drive accordingly. It can be far more challenging to have these big trucks do what you need them to do in smaller spaces. You’re always turning in the arena. In the stadiums, you can pin it and go fast for 15 seconds then turn. You have to get acclimated to the walls and the fans being closer, but you want to do your part to put on a show.”
If the recent results are any indication, Coty has found the formula. He is unbeaten in Racing and has claimed half of the event championships. The performance is driven by past experience with arenas as well as the desire. “I always want to win,” he said. “I was disappointed when I didn’t win the 2-Wheel Skills.”
You may think that the experience in the shock room would be a competitive advantage, but it’s an advantage Coty is willing to share. Other drivers will often ask about shock combinations and Coty is ready and willing to help with suggestions and advice. “It helps me be more familiar with the trucks,” he said. “I can tell if it’s out of square or it might be sitting differently or not performing as expected. If anyone asks for input, I give them suggestions.”
It’s a position Coty wouldn’t mind having in the future as well. “I want to keep driving as long as my body will let me,” he said. “After that, I’d still like to be involved. I would like to be involved in R & D. I’m always looking forward to what’s next and how we can do this better.”
The future of Monster Jam is in good hands.
What’s Ahead
May 4-5 Des Moines, IA
May 5-6 Florence, SC
May 5 Philadelphia, PA
May 6 Salinas, CA
May 12 Lexington, KY
May 12 E. Rutherford, NJ
May 19-20 Tulsa, OK
Complete list of events can be found at www.MonsterJam.com