Preparations underway for this weekend’s Monster Jam event in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Monster trucks are firing up their engines in Jacksonville ahead of this weekend’s Monster Jam event.

Right now, preparations are underway at TIAA Bank Field where the Monster Jam event will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year.

The family-friendly event will take place on Saturday, March 19 at 7 p.m.

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Guests will get to watch 12,000-pound Monster Jam trucks push all limits in freestyle, skills and racing competitions.

But before the main event, fans who purchase a pit party pass will get to see the massive trucks up close, take pictures, watch live pre-race interviews and participate in a Q&A with the drivers, get an autograph and more.

The champion who comes out on top from all the stadium showdowns — known as the Stadium series yellow champion — will receive a highly coveted automatic bid to the Monster Jam World Finals to compete for the title of world champion. The 2022 Monster Jam world finals will be held in Orlando in May.

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We got an inside look at Soldier Fortune, a monster truck covered in camo, which belongs to Kayla Blood, a veteran who says she is out here, “representing our men and women in uniform.”

With seven years of experience behind the wheel, she’s also one of two women competing.

“It’s super awesome to be a part of these talented females,” she said

With tickets, fans can meet drivers and see the trucks outside TIAA Bank Field starting at 2:30 p.m.

At the main ticketed show, drivers will compete in racing, skills, and freestyle competitions, which fans will judge.

“You have to do all sorts of crazy tricks, on [the] front two tires,” said Camden Murphy.

“We’re doing some amazing things, on two wheels,” Blood added.

But before these drivers hit the dirt, the dirt’s gotta hit the stadium.

TIAA Bank Field is sporting a different look, with dirt being laid down onto the grassy field.

Crews are measuring every single ramp, every single mound with excavators, trucks, and a lot of planning goes into it.

“Getting them just right for us to jump 40, 50 feet in the air,” Murphy described.

But it’s the fans that help bring that extra boost.

“[When] we hear all the fans go nuts, whenever we have a crazy save or do a backflip, like it pumps us up even more to go even crazier,” Blood said.

Planning to attend Monster Jam? Fans age 2 and older will need a ticket. Prices start at $25 and can be purchased on Ticketmaster.

The 2022 Monster Jam World Finals will be held in Orlando on May 21 and May 22.

For more information, visit www.monsterjam.com.

Photos: These massive trucks will be at Monster Jam 2022 event in Jacksonville on Saturday

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Pictured: Soldier Fortune Monster trucks are firing up their engines in Jacksonville ahead of this weekend’s Monster Jam event. (Monster Jam)

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