I always put an immense amount of pressure on myself anyways, and then on top of that, the fans put a lot of pressure on me too. They were always some of the top competitors. Is it even in my blood?, I went out there and took to it pretty naturally. A: Not with Monster Jam. If you had asked me when I was 18 years old if this is where I'd be by 21 -- verified on Instagram, pushing 40,000 followers, racing a truck overseas and all over this country. "Like in a regular car, the steering wheel controls the front tires, but Monster Truck drivers use the silver toggle on the left to control and turn the rear tires. I wouldn't be surprised to even see her become a World Finals champion down the road. The females compete on the same platform, in the same competition, in the same trucks, with the same amount of time as the males doing the sport. Anderson spun yarns about his early days at a Tampa sports bar last month, but the conversation just as easily could have taken place around a campfire or on a front porch adorned with rocking chairs. Krysten Anderson (born May 16) is a driver out of Currituck, North Carolina who drives Grave Digger since 2017. The daughter of Dennis Anderson, she grew up around the Grave Digger truck -- one of the most iconic in all of monster truck racing. It was a tough morning and I had to take a few belly breaths after the heat but we came back swinging, Anstie told NBC Sports Will Christien. Shes a drag racer and clutch specialist for her grandfathers NHRA Top Fuel Funny Car team, Jim Dunn Racing. She was extremely sought after when shops found out she was, Weve made it a habit to chat with a new Monster Jam driver ever year, and this year we had the pleasure of speaking with Soldier Fortune driver Kayla Blood. Alright fine, I have another race tomorrow and Im going to do even better, and I usually do.. But, even though Dennis Anderson has ended his Monster Jam career, he still has children who followed in the same footsteps who can carry on the family legacy: Adam Anderson, Ryan Anderson, and the newest driver of the three, Krysten Anderson. They're the ones who are also holding the RII, a remote ignition interrupter, which means they are able to shut the truck off if they see that it's in a bad situation. Spinning in a circle may be the simplest of all tricks in the monster truck world, but one tip got her on track. 134 lb / 61 kg. Not too surprising because as we learned previously, Krysten certainly loves her country music. I missed all their tee ball games and soccer games, school plays. You cant know monster trucks and not know Anderson. Living on the East Coast in North Carolina gives her easy access to some of the best and freshest seafood in the country. She drives Monster Mutt Dalmatian. Keep it up, Krysten! Monster Trucks Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. 5 ft 5 in / 165 cm. Tomac now also has five consecutively. When Krysten turned 18 and graduated high school, an opportunity opened up for her to become one of the Grave Digger drivers. The Players' Tribune, which publishes first-person stories from top athletes, is featuring Monster Jam driver Krysten Anderson. Eli Tomac extends contract The front clip is an old Jeep Willys and its black and blue. I didn't do that. Finally, at the time that I tap my brakes we tap our brakes just like they would do in Motocross and that helps our wheel speed slow down and it also jars the momentum of the truck and it makes it able to level out. Racing up Thunder Alley like that is the fastest racing that we do all year and its the most fun. My friends from high school would say they always knew I was going to drive, but it's just crazy to me to be here, doing it. The popularity made Anderson a star as he barnstormed across the country hauling his trucks in a Peterbuilt tractor trailer. But, after high school, she got a call from Monster Jam asking her if she was interested in attending Monster Jam University. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'monstertruckguide_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_7',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-monstertruckguide_com-medrectangle-3-0');But despite being the only daughter, and being raised in the world of monster trucks, Krysten is still decidedly feminine. I had the pressure of being an Anderson and my dad and my brothers had always brought the show home all the time. I try to keep my mind clear, she told ESPN. Dylan Ferrandis crashes in Daytona delaying return Youre not a competitor. Krysten realized she couldnt pass on such an amazing opportunity..and so she officially entered into the family business. Digger!' It's easy to understand why her fans love her and why her fellow drivers enjoy being around her as well. Follow @hoop4you. That amazing Anderson driving DNA runs through her blood and she knows how to use it. Adam drives another one of the Grave Diggers and Ryan drives Son-uva Digger. Where the heck is this ramp? Finally, the rubber touched the dirt and I was like, Oh man, finally I made it. I knew it was pretty big when I felt like I was in the air for three minutes.. They are a very difficult vehicle to control and maneuver and especially do some of the things that we do with them, Anderson says. That ones pretty cool when it rolls into the arena, Im not going to lie. "I didn't want to look back, I didn't want it to be a big 'what if,'" she says. Theyre excellent drivers. Even though Grave Digger and Max D are supposed to be archenemies and the Max D team is our biggest competitor, they do have a really cool scheme on their truck. In a level of talent that almost matches her driving skill, she can sing almost every Hank Williams Jr. song from memory. Hes just so damn good here its tough. Hey Krysten, if you ever want to hang out just let me know, okay? In high jump is Cynthia Gauthier. The original Grave Digger remains driven, but he misses driving the truck. Especially me being the first and only female to drive Grave Digger, I feel like I have extra eyes on me., Anderson has heard the questions that surround her new role: How will she do? Why is she driving Grave Digger?. Subscribe to our free Breaking Sports News newsletter. Power Rankings after Arlington June 21st-23rd, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena! In 2020, Krysten broke the World Record for the highest leap in a Monster Truck at 33 feet and 9.6 inches. MONSTER JAM! Krysten Anderson is Monster Jam's only female Grave Digger driver Anderson is the only female driver coming to the FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton, Ont. Her family had a lot of history on that track; she'd seen her dad and brothers competing in that field for nearly two decades. She was set to defend her record this spring at the World Finals in Orlando, Florida, but mechanical problems forced her out of the competition, opening the door for her brother Ryan, who set a new. Second, or maybe even above that is the Tacoma Dome in Seattle. Im not nearly as flawless or as smooth as my brothers or some of the other senior, veteran drivers who know what theyre doing a little better than I do, but that trick was a thorn in my side for an entire year. I designed both of those pro mega trucks. In addition, 30 gallons of paint are used to paint obstacles and the Monster Jam track. ", The male-dominated environment doesn't bother Anderson. San Diego: Tomac, Jett Lawrence double down Krysten Anderson, behind the wheel of Grave Digger, will compete against her brothers when the event returns to the Dome at America's Center. Log in and Edit. While Krysten is a much more accomplished driver today than she was, there are still stunts she struggles to perfect during shows. He started selling T-shirts in the pit parties and after the races, he started going back out on the floor and freestyling. That led to a separate category for the sport. Back in 2017, Dennis was injured while attempting to backflip the truck at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. So why dont we get to know a little more about the amazing Krysten Anderson? This shops dedication to quality engine work, its growth, its machining capabilities and its impact in the diesel industry, all make Choate Engineering Performance well deserving of Engine Builders and Autolites 2022 Americas Best Diesel Engine Shop award. Im through the roof, Deegan said. Initially, she wanted to work for Monster Jam designing the trucks instead of driving them. Kristen Lynne Soltis Anderson is a Republican pollster, television personality, and writer whose work has appeared in The Daily Beast, [3] Politico, [4] and HuffPost. Anaheim 1: Tomac wins opener for the first time, How to Watch Daytona Supercross Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! Tomac stayed on his back tire until a little mistake with 12 minutes remaining on the clock allowed Tomac to pass. Krysten Anderson (born May 16) is a driver out of Currituck, North Carolina who drives Grave Digger since 2017. And with that, the most famous ride in the sport has its first full-time, female driver. Its just something that me, my dad and my brothers all had common ground on, she says. View the profiles of people named Krysten Anderson. Krysten is the first female to compete as a driver of Grave Digger. As a professional athlete, youre always under the microscope. For Krysten Anderson, 23, of Currituck, North Carolina, Monster Jam is a family affair. While theres no doubting Krystens drive and passion for Grave Digger and Monster Jam competition, she did at one point have other thoughts about her future career. In four seasons shes advanced to the sports biggest stage where she gets to face off against the most qualified drivers and prove why shes the right Anderson to inherit the Grave Digger seat. She also has aspirations to get behind the wheel of her own monster truck one day. A lap later, Sexton bobbled exiting a turn and the two made contact again. I can do it now. And then she went out and won that part of the competition. Tampa: Cooper Webb gets first 2023 win It drove me insane. The long, strange journey of Rays spring training, Blahs and bad dreams in the pandemics fourth year, Hillsborough again seeks to redevelop MOSI property, MORE MONSTER TRUCKS: Look back at some of the different versions of Grave Digger, Monster Jam World Finals at Orlandos Camping World Stadium, MORE MONSTER TRUCKS: Meet two women who drive monster trucks, Dick Vitales gala rises above college hoops dark clouds. Its been a baptism by fire, but Ive done well with the pressure so far, Anderson said. Dean. When he told friends he had to hit the road to go perform, they said, You act like youre some kind of rock star.. But, even though Dennis Anderson has ended his Monster Jam career, he still has children who followed in the same footsteps who can carry on the family legacy: Adam Anderson, Ryan Anderson, and the newest driver of the three, Krysten Anderson. If youve ever watched an interview with the Anderson clan their bond is obvious. In 1979, Dennis Anderson created Grave Digger and has since gone on to win numerous Monster Jam World Championships. Making his debut on a 450, RJ Hampshire had a remarkable weekend and top-10 finish. Diggers Diner is located next to Diggers Dungeon in Poplar, North Carolina. I think a lot of people underestimate that. I wanted to go and learn how to do it digitally, but I still wanted to be involved with my dads family business and what weve always done. That leaves only me to blame 'cause Mama tried.'". That same emotion will grip Dennis Anderson, 58, Friday and Saturday when he watches three of his four children - 21-year-old Krysten, 29-year-old Ryan and 33-year-old Adam - compete in the . Before the Daytona race, he said the dirt was trickier than he expected. Your granddad was one, your dad was one, youre going to be one.. The 2021 Monster Jam season looks different than years past, in part because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has affected every part of racers, teams, and fans daily lives, but also because Krysten Anderson has inherited the famous Grave Digger monster truck. You can tell that Krysten and her brothers genuinely enjoy one another and have a good time together. #NBCSports #NASCAR #NASCARAmer. She served as an issue-advocacy adviser to the YG Network in support of its efforts to develop conservative women activists. My brother Adam had a ride where, for $5, you could get on the back of a monster truck.". Its got blue flames and its Ryans identity. I had been around them, involved with them and sat in them my entire life, but I had never sat in the seat, turned the engine on and actually drove it before until that point, Anderson says. That same emotion will grip Dennis Anderson, 58, Friday and Saturday when he watches three of his four children 21-year-old Krysten, 29-year-old Ryan and 33-year-old Adam compete in the Monster Jam World Finals at Orlandos Camping World Stadium. Despite her instant fame and name recognition in the Monster Jam world she seems very down to earth and approachable. We will update Adam Anderson's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. This was an opportunity that I didnt want to look back at and say, dang, I should have done that.. After speaking with Kaylynn Simmons a couple years ago, we found out there are only a few women who work on the pit crews of the NHRA teams. In 2020, Krysten broke the World Record for the highest leap in a Monster Truck at 33 feet and 9.6 inches. Creten was Anderson's favorite, though she was partial to her dad. I think its great that women are getting a platform now in motorsports and were climbing the ladder really quickly in the past couple of years, Anderson says. I think that another one of our cooler designs is some of our concept bodies. To top it all off, despite growing up with monster trucks in her blood, she had never been behind the wheel of a monster truck until she was 18. Anderson is only the third female driver to compete full-time in the Stadium series. Watch this interview to get a glimpse into her world. She heads back to her trailer, which hauls Grave Digger around all year, to put on her fire suit, a required part of Monster Jam athletes' outfits since the late '80s. [9], In 2014, she left The Winston Group and founded research organization Echelon Insights with Patrick Ruffini. She ultimately followed in both her father and two brothers' footsteps to become the first female driver of the truck. But this year, I was making fast times and every time I made a pass, I was shaving time off.. My dad has so much history there. Authored by Larry Jewett on July 31, 2018. Hosts: Sarah Jessica and John Cameron. Since hes retired from Monster Jam, hes gotten back into mud racing and mega truck racing and races with my little brother. One of Anderson's pre-show rituals is taking some time to herself in her trailer. As. Adam has five; Ryan has two. Her dad created Grave Digger, the truck she drives. 334 talking about this. Krysten is the only daughter of monster truck, Monster Jam and Grave Digger legend, Dennis Anderson. To get the third-place result, Sexton had to overcome a fierce battle with Justin Barcia. The Monster Jam truck is considered one of the most iconic and recognizable monster trucks in the world. Weight. in government from Johns Hopkins University in 2009. Thats where you pick a passion up for it. Its a huge arena and its got even better dirt than Nashville. In 2010, her findings were mentioned by Democratic political strategist and commentator James Carville, leading to appearances on television news shows as a guest commentator and political pundit. Thrasher with a HUGE get off! "I was paying attention more to where Tony was and not where I was, and I hit a crushed car and spun out. With annual shows throughout Florida, including two at Tampas Raymond James Stadium, officials believe the states adoration for the motorsport will draw well and create even more fans. [7] She graduated from the University of Florida with a B.A. She developed a passion for all sorts of motorsports such as off-road racing, dirt track racing, pro mega truck racing, and monster trucks, obviously. Letsgetstarted. Every race weekend gives Anderson the chance to prove herself again as the rightful heir to Grave Digger and quiet the peanut gallery. Aired on Discover Channel on August 8, Krysten and her Grave Digger monster truck set the new record for the high jump at 33.8 ft. crushing the old record by 12.5 ft. To be able to get out on a big spectrum like that and actually hit a metal ramp thats even more abrupt and sharper than the stadium ramp that my brothers hit and really air that thing out and set a Guinness Book of World Records and put my name in the Guinness Book was really awesome, Anderson says. They needed a Grave Digger driver. I love everything about my familys history with Grave Digger and our Grave Digger fans, but Id like to create some Krysten Anderson fans and fans of me and my truck. Dennis Anderson, the original founder of the Grave Digger truck, created and built quite the following for the black-and-green monster truck throughout his career. But while he built the brand, he didnt build strong family ties. Shes the sibling of Adam and Ryan Anderson, both of whom are Monster Jam World Champions, along with their dad. ", The first official women's cycling team in Afghanistan. Ok so we all agree, right? She cant go on the road without her makeup bag and you would be hard pressed to catch her without her nails done. You cant create a diamond without a little bit of pressure. If you ask me to do 15 backflips in a row, I can do 15 backflips in a row, she says. on April 23-24 Renita Naraine. After finishing last in the opening night with a score of 6.071 to Todd LeDuc and Monster Energy's 9.437, Anderson improved massively in Night 2 and scored a 8.919. I realized this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a lot of people. [2][7] As a junior in college, she interned with the finance department of the National Republican Congressional Committee[7] and was appointed by Florida Governor Jeb Bush to the Florida Commemorative Quarter Committee. It can be a lot of pressure sometimes, but it fuels me when I have a rough show and Im getting the feedback of it, Anderson said. In fact, shes already being hailed as the new face of Monster Jam. If I sit and think too long, I get nervous and lose my composure, so I just casually put my gear on and let my instincts take over. "College would always be there for me, but I wasn't sure how long a seat in a monster truck, especially Grave Digger, would be waiting for me.". Theyre all world champions. Its like your family being involved in commercial fishing or something your whole life. Two of our world reigning champions right now are women. Krysten's diet is quite intense as she has cut out several things from her diet, including gluten, fish, and dairy products. It was a dogfight., RESULTS: How they finished for the 450 Main in Daytona. Hes been doing that for a few years and I actually named and designed my brothers truck, Bog Hog, and named and designed my dads mega truck King Sling. Its definitely a family affair. But almost every parent understands the emotion that overcame Anderson. Thats what I decided to do.. When complete, the truck weighs 12,000 pounds. Im not thinking about what could happen when I get out there because you never know what could go down while out on the track. As Krysten mentioned, shes never been afraid to send it and go all out for big air. Its got these big, silver, aggressive-looking spikes on it and its got this crazy 3D, mechanical monster coming out of the side of it. Following a disappointing round in Arlington when he barely earned an overall podium, Hunter Lawrence decided he would not wait for the race to come to him. Carrying on a family tradition 23| Driver of Grave Digger | Daughter of Dennis Anderson Instagram: @krysten.anderson #mamatried #teamdigger Krysten has no fear sending that 12,000-pound truck off some jumps to get some serious air time. We recently spoke to Randy about his PERA presidency and what some of the biggest hurdles are facing the engine remanufacturing industry right now. She has talked often about how grateful she is for her parents and how well they raised her. It was rough for me. I would be so stupid not to reap the benefits of this path that my dad had paved for me. Chase Sexton finished third, losing just a little ground in the standings. ", On her first race of the night, Anderson was up against Tony Ochs in Black Ops. That would be cool. in political science in 2005; she obtained her M.A. I couldnt care less about anything else.. Other. Krysten Anderson is the daughter of Dennis Anderson and the first female driver of Grave Digger. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a3020d069439bf4 I was struggling in practice straight up, Tomac told James Stewart on NBC Sports. Krysten is the only daughter of monster truck, Monster Jam and Grave Digger legend, Dennis Anderson. I leveled the truck out and it started coming down. She is amazing and we loved chatting with her. Title 24 podcast premieres NAACP wants reparations for Tampas Black cemeteries that governments stole, Tampa Bay harbor pilots pay raise request stirs storm at Tampas port, Hooters celebrates 40 years with specials and deals at all Tampa Bay locations, Bucs raise ticket prices by 7.5 percent on new season-pass members, State OKs Tampa Bay harbor pilots fee hikes, despite ports objections, Indoors? We have the trucks that look like dogs and theyre called Monster Mutt. I had my eyes on the target and I hit the ramp perfectly. However, when you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Those are my two main goals; to retire with a world championship and maybe retire in my own truck.. Krysten Anderson has one of the most recognizable last names in Monster Jam history. This is a sick moment for me right now. If I didnt do so well or something, they had no problem telling me the truth about how I did and the truth hurts sometimes. Family is very important to her and she loves seeing families come together to watch Monster Jam. I love the city of Nashville. Want more of our free, weekly newslettersinyourinbox? Lawrence scored his eighth 250 victory after pulling away from the field. 291 talking about this. I [worry] about doing badly -- that is my biggest fear every time in the truck. I'm a father of 2 little boys that LOVE Monster Trucks. RJ Hampshire to debut in 450s A: Its really tight between two arenas. I was hoping I didnt bump him and mess something up on the bike. Carmichael won his five Daytona races in a row. Racing down those lanes, its such unique racing. Jett won this race last year. In 2022, she would win Arena Championship Series Central, becoming the first (and so far only) woman ever to win a championship series in Monster Jam. "But this year, I was making fast times and every time I made a pass, I was shaving time off.".