The Monster Jam World Finals Young Guns Shootout has quickly become one of the most anticipated events of the Monster Jam season as 16 of the sport’s up and coming stars compete once a year in Las Vegas, Nevada for the 32nd and final spot into the Monster Jam World Finals field. This year is certainly no different as many drivers in the field will be taking to the Sam Boyd Stadium track for the very first time, while others are returning in hopes that this year will be their year to shine. It’s one of the most competitive and exciting races of the year, so let’s take a look at those who will be battling it out for the final spot in the Monster Jam World Finals XVII field.
Scott Liddycoat | Dragon
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Scott Liddycoat will be returning to the Young Guns Shootout for the second year straight behind the wheel of the Dragon. Last year wasn’t the best showing for Liddycoat in the Dragon but over the last year he’s gained a great deal of experience behind the wheel. With a busy first quarter on the stadium circuit this year as well as a string of stadium events in Australia. The biggest achievement to Liddycoat’s record came this February where he battled both the field of competitors and the elements to claim a racing win in Tampa on one of the muddiest tracks in recent memory. Liddycoat has shown some bright spots in his driving like the Tampa win this year, he’s struggled to make it through the racing bracket so far in 2016, with the second Houston event being the only other time he qualified in the top eight. With some experience over the newcomers though Liddycoat has that to his advantage going into the Young Guns Shootout this weeekend.
Tony Ochs | Soldier Fortune Black Ops
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A totally new face to the Monster Jam circuit in 2016 is Tony Ochs piloting the new Soldier Fortune Black Ops truck. Pilot is an appropriate term too for Ochs with his background as a former helicopter pilot while serving in the armed forces. Ochs has done well in his rookie year with some solid showings on his campaign.
Rosalee Ramer | Wild Flower
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Rosalee Ramer is not your average Monster Jam rookie. Not only is she second generation driver as the daughter of Kelvin Ramer of Time Flys fame, but she’s spent a great amount of time behind the wheel of a monster truck long before her first year with Monster Jam. The young Ramer has been impressive so far this season with some strong freestyle performances, including a second place finish in Glendale. As a racer though she’s not had the best of luck in here stadium showings. This season in stadium events she hasn’t qualified in the top eight once. Ramer definitely posses a lot of raw talent and with a full day of practice perhaps she can master the track in Vegas.
Eric Swanson | Obsessed
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Another second generation driver in this year’s field is Eric Swanson behind the wheel of Obsessed. Much like Ramer, Swanson has a lot of seat time despite his young age and limited time competing with Monster Jam. This year Swanson pulled off a huge upset in San Diego by taking the freestyle win against a stout field of competitors. Swanson definitely has talent, but like many of the younger drivers he’s taken to freestyle quicker than racing. This season Swanson did qualify in the top eight to make the racing bracket once this season in stadium events. It’ll be interesting to see how Swanson adapts to the track and pressure that comes with competing in Vegas.
Steven Thompson | Hurricane Force
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Returning for the second year is Steven Thompson and Hurricane Force to the Young Guns Shootout. Thompson’s Young Guns Shootout campaign was far from pleasant last year as his night ended early with a spectacular rollover while losing a wheel. It was a frustrating end to the the weekend but Thompson is returning with familiarity and experience on the track. Thompson is a solid racer and proved so this year as he qualified for the racing bracket several times. With some consistency as a racer and prior experience look for Thompson to be towards the top of the time sheets early this week.
Buddy Tompkins | Razin Kane
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Ryan Disharoon | Saigon Shaker
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While a relative newcomer behind the wheel, Ryan Disharoon has plenty of talent behind the wheel of a monster truck. As yet another second generation driver in this year’s field Disharoon has a lot of raw driving talent that has taken some refining this season during his first full quarter this season. Coming from a background of growing up around the sport as well as driving mega trucks Disharoon has a lot of knowledge for someone with only a few years of time behind the wheel of a monster truck. While Disharoon is a Young Guns Shootout rookie, he does have experience on the track. While a part of the pit party two years ago at the World Finals Disharoon was able to take a few practice passes down the track during the Wednesday practice. Despite not having any stadium time this winter he does have a bit of advantage over his fellow Young Guns Shootout rookies.
Becky McDonough | El Toro Loco
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Once again Becky McDonough is returning to the Young Guns Shootout and possibly in the best position she’s had yet to pick up the victory. Coming off a strong season with the Monster Jam FS1 Championship Series McDonough has shown a great deal of improvement in her driving over the last two years. One of the biggest areas of improvement for her has been in racing where she made the racing bracket multiple times this season. However her racing record has been a bit inconsistent. As one of the drivers with the most experience on the track in this field though perhaps she can find her stride and put her El Toro Loco into the main field this year.
Bailey Shea | Scooby Doo
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In her first ever Young Guns Shootout appearance last year Bailey Shea and Scooby Doo turned some heads with one of the fastest times of her competitors. However she struggled to find consistency last year in Vegas. This year she comes in with another year experience after spending time on the Monster Jam featuring the Amsoil Series west tour where she picked up her first overall event championship. With limited stadium racing experience though it’s hard to predict what to expect from Shea this week. When the trucks take to the track Wednesday for practice the picture may become a bit clearer.
Tyler Menninga | Blue Thunder
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Tyler info
Cynthia Gauthier | Monster Mutt Dalmatian
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Cynthia info
Steven Sims Jr. | Pirate’s Curse
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Perhaps a bit of a surprise return to the Young Guns Shootout this year is Steven Sims Jr with his new ride Pirate’s Curse. Many expected Sims to be in the main field this year after many strong showings over the past few seasons, but this year he’ll have to fight his way in for the final spot. Sims has shown promise in Vegas before with a semi-finals appearance in his first year, losing to eventual winner Mike Vaters II in one of the closest races in recent memory. Like some of his other competitors, he’s had trouble finding consistency. Sims has had flashes of brilliance with very fast passes, but his aggressive driving style sometimes gets him in trouble with spin outs and even a rollover in practice two years ago. This season though Sims was a solid racer on the Monster Jam FS1 Championship Series making the racing bracket several times. His best performance came in the final event in Syracuse where he made it all the way to finals against Adam Anderson with the second fastest pass of the night in the final round loss. Sims has some of the most experience of his fellow competitors and could sail Pirate’s Curse into the main field this year.
Kayla Blood | El Toro Loco
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kayla info
Jared Eichleberger | Max-D
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Jared info
Tyler Groth | NEA
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Tyler info
Travis Groth | Zombie
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Travis Info
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