By Kevonté Steadman
Photo Credit: PS5 & Series X 4K60 HDR Gameplay Videos
Week 5 of 2023 Monster Jam action provided unforgettable highlights as each Series picked up the points battle on the journey to World Finals XXII.
ARENA SERIES WEST
Photo Credit: MonsterTruckLord
Series West double-featured in Fargo, ND, at the Fargodome as Elvis Lainez and Tristan England squared off for tour supremacy. England immediately shook up the scene in the first showdown, defeating Lainez in the first round and securing the Racing victory. He also earned the Skills, Freestyle, and Overall Event Championships, successfully reclaiming the points lead. The second event played similarly, with England claiming the Skills and Donut competitions. Lainez stopped the bleeding in Freestyle, but England earned the Overall once more at the night's end. England takes a 10-point lead to Denver, CO, next week.
Series West Points:
Tristan England - Earth Shaker - 361
Elvis Lainez - El Toro Loco - 351
David Olfert - Velociraptor - 272
Krysten Anderson - Grave Digger - 241
Bailey Shea - Monster Mutt Dalmatian - 198
Mark Hall - Raminator - 188
Ashley Sanford - Megalodon - 170
Kurt Kraehmer - Rammunition - 136
ARENA SERIES CENTRAL
Photo Credit: MonsterTruckCrazy
Series Central arrived at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, RI, ready to rumble.
Rookie Brandon Arthur made his Monster Jam debut, filling in for the under-the-weather Coty Saucier. Meanwhile, Brandon Vinson continued his dominance, sweeping the first event. He also brought home another Freestyle and Overall on the weekend. The young superstar Zack Garner took full advantage of the remaining shows, sliding his way to a Racing victory and two Overall Event Championships, sling-shotting into the fourth-place points position. Vinson and the rest of the Series head into Cleveland, OH, next weekend.
Series Central Points:
Brandon Vinson - Grave Digger - 368
Jon Zimmer Jr. - Terminal Velocity - 315
Tony Ochs - ThunderROARus - 293
Zack Garner - Wild Side - 281
Coty Saucier/Brandon Arthur - Dragon - 241
Brandan Tulachka - Just Get Er Done II - 240
Mikayla Tulachka - Megalodon - 184
Jamie Sullivan - Monster Mutt Dalmatian - 171
ARENA SERIES EAST
Photo Credit: MonsterTruckinatorTV
Series East hosted four thrilling events in Belmont Park, NY, at the UBS Arena. Frontrunners Weston Anderson and Armando Castro went toe-to-toe for most of the weekend, extending their leads on the rest of the competitors. Castro earned the Timed Racing, Skills Challenge, Freestyle, and Overall Event Championships in the first show. He added to his total with two more Racing and Skills victories. Anderson gathered a pair of Donut and Event Championships, also snagging a Skills Challenge win. Anderson sits comfortably atop the points lead as East moves to Worcester, MA, for more wow factors next week.
Series East Points:
Weston Anderson - Grave Digger - 441
Armando Castro - El Toro Loco - 395
Linsey Read - Scooby-Doo - 320
Dalton Widner - Jurassic Attack - 306
Bernard Lyght - Megalodon - 279
Chad Tingler - Zombie - 238
Hunter Souza - Earth Shaker - 233
Frank Krmel - Stone Crusher - 156
STADIUM SERIES RED
Photo Credit: MonsterTruckReels
Series Red migrated North of Miami for two shows at one of Monster Jam's most notorious venues—Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. Eleven athletes attempted to clip Camden Murphy's wings following several impressive performances. Former points leader Adam Anderson returned to the winner's circle, defeating Bryce Kenny in the first Racing competition. He stole the Skills Challenge from his rival Tom Meents immediately after. Florida native Nick Pagliarulo capped the show with an explosive Freestyle (literally). Murphy steaked his revenge against Anderson in the next show's Racing finals. His success continued, with Murphy performing near-perfect stoppies to take the Skills victory. Anderson blocked Murphy from the sweep, executing a high-flying Freestyle with a swift backflip. Anderson made up critical ground on Murphy in pursuit of the Series Championship after securing both Overall Event Championships. The Series moves out of the state and returns to NRG Stadium in Houston, TX, next weekend.
Series Red Points:
Camden Murphy - Bakugan Dragonoid - 244
Adam Anderson - Grave Digger - 225
Bryce Kenny - Great Clips Mohawk Warrior - 215
Tom Meents - Max-D - 202
Cole Venard - Black Pearl - 183
Todd LeDuc - Megalodon - 180
Kayla Blood - Soldier Fortune - 179
Jamey Garner - El Toro Loco - 172
Travis Mowery/Paul Jensen/Jeff Souza - Velociraptor - 136
Nick Pagliarulo - Kraken - 120
Mike Christensen - Vendetta - 103
Matt Pagliarulo - Jester - 93
STADIUM SERIES BLUE
Photo Credit: MonsterTruckMedia
Series Blue packed the house for two shows at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. Tyler Menninga's points stranglehold remained everyone's focus, with Ryan Anderson, in particular, trying to close the gap. Anderson upended Colt Stephens in the first Racing competition. However, a stumble on his behalf and a pair of exceptional bicycles made Menninga victorious in Skills. Following the shift in momentum, Menninga provided a stand-out Freestyle, finishing his run with a recovery ripped straight from the popular simulator Rigs of Rods. The next day, Anderson refused to let out of the throttle to defeat Bari Musawwir for another Racing championship. Another poor performance from Anderson enabled Menninga to capitalize on the Skills Challenge for the second time. Anderson redeemed himself with a stunning Freestyle, finishing with a massive launch, resulting in a wheelie-to-cartwheel. Menninga's consistency proved too great, capturing both Event Championships. The Series makes its way to Anaheim, CA, next week.
Series Blue Points:
Tyler Menninga - Grave Digger - 311
Ryan Anderson - Son-uva Digger - 264
Bari Musawwir - Zombie - 222
Colt Stephens - ThunderROARus - 190
Cory Rummell - Megalodon - 189
John Gordon - Bad Company - 173
Cynthia Gauthier - Lucas Stabilizer - 172
Jim Koehler - Avenger - 171
Chris Koehler - Monster Mutt - 170
Mark List/Charlie Pauken - El Toro Loco - 169
Ryan Disharoon - Shaker - 140
Joe Foley - Axe/The Rod Ryan Show - 125