Crowd pleasing Monster Jam returns to Tacoma

Stands were packed with roaring monster truck fans at Monster Jam 2012, which kicked off on the night of Friday the 13th this January. The freaks of automobile nature did not fail to impress as they sped, jumped, and crushed their way around the dirt arena at the heart of the Tacoma Dome.

The jam featured 12 high-powered behemoths of trucks, including the clearly crowd favorite, Grave Digger. Making a showing for its 30th anniversary, Grave Digger did not disappoint fans as they cheered without reservation for every appearance of the truck.

Grave Digger's driver, Charlie Pauken, has been driving this vehicle for 13 years. When asked how he got his start in the field of monster truck racing, he replied, "I just stumbled into it, really." Pauken began his career as a driver for Excalibur, which also made an appearance at Monster Jam 2012, driven by Kevin Kasala.

Before the show on Friday, Monster Jam hosted a meet and greet for "Operation Ward 57" wounded soldiers and their families to meet with drivers. Many took pictures with the trucks, and made light conversation.

In addition, Charles Benns, driver of the Monster Mutt Rottweiler for seven years, asked that all of the veterans in attendance sign a plate of metal on the front of his vehicle, and promised he'd keep it forever. Once the troops finished signing their names, Benns took group photos with all of the signees in front of his truck.

As far as the outcome of the event, there was no question as to who won. Out of eight events, Grave Digger triumphantly won six. This came as a surprise to no one, but it exhilarated the fans nonetheless.

Team Hot Wheels and its driver, Dan Evans, claimed the first victory of the racing events on Friday in a spectacular match up against Shock Therapy and its driver Jon Zimmer. Prior to the race, the crowd booed as Shock Therapy was announced. Zimmer got his revenge by taking the win from the final freestyle event on Sunday.

For more information about the trucks, the drivers, the locations and times of future Monster Jam events, visit: monsterjam.com