truthseekersjournal
By Milton Kirby | Athens, GA | June 24, 2025
The sound of roaring engines, flying dirt, and thunderous applause filled the air as Monster Jam took over Athens, Georgia from June 20–22, delivering a high-octane weekend of competition that left fans on the edge of their seats. Hosted at the Akins Ford Arena at the Athens Classic Center, six of the sport’s top drivers battled in multiple events across three action-packed days, culminating in a series of unforgettable performances.
The field included Grave Digger (Krysten Anderson), El Toro Loco (Armando Castro), Rammunition/Ramdemption (Kurt Kraehmer), Raminator (Mark Hall), Terminal Velocity (Jon Zimmer Jr.), and Zombie (Jon Zimmer Sr.)—all fan favorites in the Monster Jam universe.
Friday Night Fireworks: El Toro Loco Charges Ahead
Friday’s opening competition set the tone for the weekend, with El Toro Loco’s Armando Castro taking the overall event win with a total of 17 points. Castro thrilled the crowd by earning:
- 9.178 points in the 2 Wheel Skills Challenge,
- 8.504 points in the Monster Jam Freestyle Competition,
- and a decisive racing win over Terminal Velocity in the JCB Racing finale.
It was a powerful start for El Toro Loco, which bulldozed through the course with signature flair and control.
Saturday Belonged to Terminal Velocity
The Zimmer family made Saturday their own, with Jon Zimmer Jr. piloting Terminal Velocity to back-to-back overall event wins in the afternoon and evening shows, scoring 16 and 17 points, respectively.
His standout stats:
- 9.249 and 9.565 points in Freestyle,
- 9.438 and 9.108 points in 2 Wheel Skills Challenges.
While Grave Digger edged out Terminal Velocity in JCB Racing, Zimmer Jr.’s consistency and high scores earned him top honors for both sessions.
Sunday: Grave Digger Reigns Supreme
On Sunday, the momentum shifted to Krysten Anderson and Grave Digger, who swept both afternoon and evening events with 14 points in each performance. A staple of the Monster Jam legacy, Anderson delivered standout runs that included:
- 8.458 and 9.001 points in Freestyle,
- 6.282 and 5.791 points in 2 Wheel Skills,
- and a dominant win over El Toro Loco in Sunday’s afternoon JCB Racing heat.
Though Grave Digger fell to Zombie in the final JCB Racing showdown Sunday evening, Anderson’s overall performance sealed a triumphant finish to the weekend.
Fan Meet-and-Greet in Winder
Before engines fired up in Athens, fans got a close-up look at the magic behind the machine. On Thursday, June 19, Krysten Anderson and the legendary Grave Digger truck made a special appearance at Akins Ford in Winder, GA.
Hundreds of fans lined up to meet Anderson, pose with the iconic 12,000-pound truck, and grab autographs before the action began.
What’s Next: Monster Jam World Finals in Salt Lake City
The excitement doesn’t stop in Georgia. The 2025 Monster Jam World Finals are set to take place July 4–5 in Salt Lake City, Utah—the first time the finals will be held in the Beehive State.
Highlights include:
- Thursday, July 3: Pit Party and Monster Jam Awards Ceremony (4:00–6:00 p.m.), followed by Qualifying at 7:00 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday: Championship-level racing, freestyle competitions, and appearances from superstar trucks like Megalodon, Sparkle Smash, and of course, Grave Digger.
Tickets include access to the biggest Pit Party of the year, where fans can meet drivers, explore trucks up close, and enjoy interactive, family-friendly activities.
Terminal Velocity 2 Wheel Challenge
Please consider supporting open, independent journalism – no contribution is too small!
