He may be Dennis' most accomplished child but he is far from the only sibling to take a Grave Digger for a spin. "I realized that my life was different from other little girls around the fourth grade," she says. The Players' Tribune interviews provide unique insights that only the athletes themselves can offer, getting fans closer than ever to the sports they love. Her story is one of legacy: Anderson's father, Dennis . Last year Tomac passed Webb late in the 2022 Daytona Supercross race and denied him the win, so the early lead was incredibly important. For the third consecutive week and the fourth time overall, the top three in points stood on the podium together. When complete, the truck weighs 12,000 pounds. Andersons willingness to create carnage on the floor elevated Grave Digger from monster truck to marketing and merchandising. 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. It was rough for me. Honestly, I think all that pressure kind of rounded me out and toughened me up and made me do even better or wanting to prove even harder that I can do this and I do belong here. I have had opportunities to create artwork for trucks in other motorsports. Cooper Webb wins Arlington, closes on Tomac Three years later, Im still doing it.. I love good food. Dylan Ferrandis crashes in Daytona delaying return Making his debut on a 450, RJ Hampshire had a remarkable weekend and top-10 finish. Didnt think we would hang on to it, but you know what: just so stoked., Burn it down #SupercrossLIVE #SuperMotocross pic.twitter.com/7qOnss5Nxo. So busy. 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. Adam has won five Monster Jam World Championships. Shes a drag racer and clutch specialist for her grandfathers NHRA Top Fuel Funny Car team, Jim Dunn Racing. I could make the first hit and I could roll over and it could all be over right there. In 2021, she made her Stadium Tour debut at Houston on January 30. Sign up for daily stories delivered to your inbox. Carrying on a family tradition 23| Driver of Grave Digger | Daughter of Dennis Anderson Instagram: @krysten.anderson #mamatried #teamdigger Because obviously theres more to her than the fact that shes a rad lady Monster Jam driver. Female Monster Jam drivers Krysten Anderson and Linsey Read spoke with HotCars.com about competition, fans, and family before the 2021 season begins. Those tricks werent even a thing five years ago. She's the sibling of Adam and Ryan Anderson, both of whom are Monster Jam World Champions, along with their dad. Hes Dennis Anderson, the guy who created Grave Digger back in 1982 and he drove Grave Digger for 35 years. Mattie Graves competes in the Outlaw Diesel Super Series (ODSS) dragster class, and is the only female doing so in a class that already has very few competitors in general. Ultimately her mom came around and is in full support of her daughter's career path. Each driver has a custom-fitted, fire-resistant suit to match their truck, complete with helmet, gloves and shoes. "But this year, I was making fast times and every time I made a pass, I was shaving time off.". 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. Thats where you pick a passion up for it. We will update Adam Anderson's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. Over a stupid donut?. I can draw pretty well. My dad and my brothers have competed in the Tacoma Dome, so my family has a lot of history there. Family is very important to her and she loves seeing families come together to watch Monster Jam. 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 . I was consistently getting beat by a second there, but when the lights come on here the track comes to me and I really find my flow again., With this win @EliTomac passes @RickyCarmichael for 3rd on the All-Time wins list , Monster Energy 450 Main Event LIVE fueled by @Amazon#SupercrossLIVE #SuperMotocross pic.twitter.com/MIpwPsU24R, Supercross LIVE! But for some reason, I dont know why, the two-wheel skills competition has always been my kryptonite. The diesel engine and machine shop was founded by shop owner, Cass Choate, after finally becoming fed up with having to rely on others for certain aspects of his work. ", On her first race of the night, Anderson was up against Tony Ochs in Black Ops. Andersons resilience has paid off. 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. I was like, man, I dont even know if I have it in me. It is a big production, but none of it is staged. I made a little mistake and we collided. Theres a lot of people that work very hard to chase their dreams and become famous NASCAR drivers or monster truck drivers or whatever it is. I guess when the family business is a mega-successful and mega-cool monster truck its hard to not follow suit. Keep it up, Krysten! As. A typical Monster Jam track takes 1,500 hours to build and remove. 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. 2017 - Grave Digger (DDS) (Grandma Grave Digger 35th anniversary encore), 2022 - Grave Digger (main + high jump) (Grave Digger 25th Anniversary for the 40th Anniversary encore). I remember being in the bottom of the rig playing with my monster trucks. I can do it now. Lucas. Theres no female, theres no male. Krysten is the only daughter of Dennis Anderson. I was out making everybody else's kids happy. At 37 years old, Adam Anderson height not available right now. She is the daughter of Dennis Anderson and the sister of Adam, Ryan, and Weston 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. Adam Anderson, Krysten Anderson and Ryan Anderson carry on the Monster Jam legacy created by their father, the original Grave Digger Dennis Anderson. I had to basically catch up to speed from where my brothers had gone 10 or 15 years to where we are now, where we are doing those two-wheel tricks and doing backflips and corkscrews and nose wheelies and bicycles and everything else. I basically had an idea of it from my dad and my brothers and what they told me and what its like and this and that, but I had never fully understood how complicated they can be until I actually sat in the seat of one. 10 Best Monster Jam Moments InvolvesGrave Digger Monster Truck, Monster Mutt, and El Toro Loco. Whenever I was in any big competition or was on TV in interviews, I would always thank my fans for every nut and bolt on my truck and every shingle on my roof and I wasnt BS-ing them when I said that. 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. The 4 Piston Racing facility in Danville, IN houses two buildings one is 12,000 sq.-ft. and the other is 2,500 sq.-ft. She has said that she could eat seafood every dayand she makes a mean tuna steak. I'm nervous as hell, you know, Dennis Anderson said. As a teenager, she had dreamed of attending college, but the world of monster trucks caught her attention. It was a great fight. One of the main goals that Id like to accomplish is to retire with at least one world championship under my belt. I think its a little different for guys and girls. 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. It's just so cool that I get to meet these second-generation fans.". Ansties runner-up finish elevated him to second in the points, 14 behind Lawrence. A: Not with Monster Jam. Houston: Tomac bounces back from A2 crash to win third race of 2023 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. My brother Ryan is the one who invented the nose wheelie. Before the Daytona race, he said the dirt was trickier than he expected. I get that question a lot. #NBCSports #NASCAR #NASCARAmer. It is so insane," says Anderson. "The kids in my class took a field trip to my house because we had a huge monster truck shop and gift [store] attached to it. Despite her instant fame and name recognition in the Monster Jam world she seems very down to earth and approachable. Youre not a competitor. But for right now, I couldnt think of another career in the world that would give a young person at the time 18 and 19 years old the opportunity to travel the world and see the world and drive a professional Monster Jam truck. Im also out here representing all of the girls.. 04/25/18. But almost every parent understands the emotion that overcame Anderson. 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. And her younger brother, Westin, is hoping to pursue a career with Monster Jam once hes old enough. Safety is a big priority and Anderson says she never feels at risk when on the track. #SupercrossLIVE #SuperMotocross pic.twitter.com/Jj4Iza7pvx, Arlington: Cooper Webb wins for second time, closes to two of Tomac NBC Sports is proud to celebrate Womens History Month. My brothers, they came out swinging both of them are going on 10 and 15 years of having a really awesome career. The monster truck driver has competed in the last three Feld Entertainment Monster Jam World Finals, as well as the All-Star Challenge in 2019. Theyve added five competitions and, of course, the popular pit parties will be held from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day. Now add a family legacy, an iconic truck, gender politics, as well as a shortened 2020 season that limited her seat time and youll start to understand the pressure of Andersons Stadium Series debut. I was really involved with my art and I was taking AP-level art classes and putting together an art portfolio because I was actually interested after high school in going to college and pursuing a career and degree in graphic design. [6], Kristen Lynne Soltis grew up in Orlando, Florida. Growing up Krysten and her mom would often sing the song Mama Tried by Merle Haggard. Dennis Anderson (center), the original "Grave Digger monster truck driver, poses with his crew and his kids: Ryan Anderson (left), Krysten Anderson and Adam Anderson. College would always be there for me, but I wasnt sure how long a seat in a monster truck, especially Grave Digger, would be waiting for me.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'monstertruckguide_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',118,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-monstertruckguide_com-banner-1-0'); I literally said, Yes, out of nowhere, Krysten told The Daily Orange. If youve ever watched an interview with the Anderson clan their bond is obvious. Living on the East Coast in North Carolina gives her easy access to some of the best and freshest seafood in the country. When youre out there on that floor, and you got 50,000 people supporting you good or bad, and you look up in the stands and see that you got the most tee shirts, you win. 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?. When a driver levels up and takes on a new challenge, there is always a heightened level of scrutiny. That would be cool. Krysten Anderson is the daughter of Dennis Anderson and the first female driver of Grave Digger. For some reason, I had such a hard time finding that sweet spot or finding that balancing point. Racing down those lanes, its such unique racing. Tomac grabbed the holeshot by inches, but Webb took the early lead, but he could not shake the points leader. No one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama tried. A: Its really tight between two arenas. Transmission Coan 2-Speed Tires 66" 2nd Generation BKT Grave Digger 34 is a CRD monster truck owned by FELD Motorsports and was driven by Krysten Anderson from 2017 to 2021. Grave Digger and Monster Jam have the most passionate and loyal fans amongst motorsports, but they can be pretty painfully honest sometimes. Of course, youre also in the city of Las Vegas, so thats awesome. I was struggling in practice straight up, Tomac told James Stewart on NBC Sports. Monster Jam truck tires are designed differently to satisfy various track conditions and driver preference. I would have to say it kind of drove me in that direction to keep going.. It has competed on every tour of the Triple Threat series ( Central 2017, West 2018, East 2019) and in the Showdown competition at World Finals 18, 19, and 20. "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. ", The male-dominated environment doesn't bother Anderson. Today, you can buy Grave Digger T-shirts, party favors, bowling balls, toys and even bed sheets. If youve never been to a Monster Jam event or seen highlights, drivers today break the laws of physics at every show. From just a few months old until I was about five years old, I would travel on the road with my dad in the tractor trailer. Alright fine, I have another race tomorrow and Im going to do even better, and I usually do.. "I don't try to overthink anything. [9], In 2014, she left The Winston Group and founded research organization Echelon Insights with Patrick Ruffini. I think maybe here in a few more years Ill be at a very competitive level. My dad built Grave Digger in the shop. Diggers Diner is located next to Diggers Dungeon in Poplar, North Carolina. Im through the roof, Deegan said. Krysten hasnt ruled out going to college someday, but for now driving Grave Digger is where she wants to be. Krysten is the only daughter of monster truck, Monster Jam and Grave Digger legend, Dennis Anderson. She recalls thinking at the time, "You know what -- I'm the first Grave Digger to ever be in the Double Down Showdown Field, I'm the first girl to ever drive Grave Digger, my last name is Anderson and I'm in front of the biggest crowd I'll be in front of all year. We didnt get around the first turn too bad, but I just saw an opportunity in the sand section, Lawrence said. "I think that really helped me get past my rookie nerves and build my confidence. I couldn't even make it down the track correctly," she says. Krysten Anderson is a true triple threat. It was something that we always loved to do. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Its a family affair for Johnna, who works alongside many family, We got to visit LinCo Diesel Performance in Troy, MO, just outside St. Louis, back in early 2022. More info/Tickets: www.monsterjam.com [Times Files]. That amazing Anderson driving DNA runs through her blood and she knows how to use it. That is where every world champion had been crowned to date all the way up until we moved to the Camping World Stadium in Florida. Results and Points after Arlington The kinds of stunts performed will truly blow your mind. 334 talking about this. 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. Or, I could put on the show of a lifetime. Nashville to Tampa: Hey, nice Riverwalk you got there. Now, even though she's got big shoes to fill, make no mistake, Krysten is already a very talented driver. 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. Krysten is the first female to compete as a driver of Grave Digger. It was a lot of fun and I think its pretty cool to see my artwork on the side of a truck and see it racing and doing really well and winning races. Lawrence had one previous start at Daytona. So why dont we get to know a little more about the amazing Krysten Anderson? This post was originally published on April 15, 2020. Man this is special. When I was in high school, I kind of nosed away from monster trucks and motorsports a little bit. 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.. 291 talking about this. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'monstertruckguide_com-box-3','ezslot_9',106,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-monstertruckguide_com-box-3-0'); But even though being part of a Monster Jam family dynasty has opened doors for Krysten she had earned her fans an amazing reputation all on her own. 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 wanted to be part of the art team for Monster Jam and creating the artwork thats on the side of the truck, like the iconic graveyard scene on the side of Grave Digger and create the paint jobs and the wraps for it.. My dad said, Youre spoiling them. I said, Dad, everything I buy them has got a motor on it. 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. Starting out as a Triple Threat Series athlete, Anderson had to attend 100 hours of Monster Jam University before competing in any events. A: Thats hard to pick because they really do have some pretty cool schemes on there. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'monstertruckguide_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',109,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-monstertruckguide_com-medrectangle-4-0');With how important family it to Krysten its no surprise that one of the things that drew her to Monster Jam was how family-friendly it was. She cant go on the road without her makeup bag and you would be hard pressed to catch her without her nails done. Another passion that my family has is when were not racing monster trucks we are really into the mud racing or the mega truck racing. [8] After Mitt Romney lost the 2012 youth vote, she co-developed a guidebook outlining strategies for the Republican Party to garner more votes from young people. Join Facebook to connect with Krysten Anderson and others you may know. Photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment. In a level of talent that almost matches her driving skill, she can sing almost every Hank Williams Jr. song from memory. She was a little nervous about how she would be received and there were a few mixed reactions but overall she has been accepted and adored by the fans. Tomac stayed on his back tire until a little mistake with 12 minutes remaining on the clock allowed Tomac to pass. He possesses a folksy charm that can endear him to an audience of two or a stadium full of what he likes to call concrete crews and city slickers.. [5] In 2013 Time named Anderson one of the 30 People Under 30 who are changing the world. When Krysten turned 18 and graduated high school, an opportunity opened up for her to become one of the Grave Digger drivers. Originally from Currituck, North Carolina, Krysten became an official driver back in 2017, which is around the same time as Dennis's accident. She had been on the circuit for a while, but he had been too busy. I have those butterflies all the way up my throat and down to the tips of my toes. I hit it nice and square and then I came up in the air and the truck just kept climbing and climbing and climbing. 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. You want me to go do some kind of insane jump or something like that. RJ Hampshire to debut in 450s Saturdays Supercross Round 8 in Daytona: How to watch, start times, streaming Anderson improved massively in Night 2 and scored a 8.919, question of whether Eli Tomac is untouchable in Daytona Supercross races, For the seventh time overall and fifth consecutively, Tomac won the race most riders in the field equates to NASCARs Daytona 500, How they finished for the 450 Main in Daytona, Arlington: Cooper Webb wins for second time, closes to two of Tomac, Oakland: Eli Tomac ties Ricky Carmichael with 48 wins, Houston: Tomac bounces back from A2 crash to win third race of 2023, Anaheim 2: Triple Crown produces new winners Chase Sexton, Levi Kitchen, San Diego: Tomac, Jett Lawrence double down, Anaheim 1: Tomac wins opener for the first time, Dylan Ferrandis crashes in Daytona delaying return, Cooper Webb wins Arlington, closes on Tomac. She is the daughter of Dennis Anderson and the sister of Adam, Ryan, and Weston Anderson. This is the first time Feld Entertainment has staged the Monster Jam World Finals outside of Las Vegas. "When we pull up on the line," Anderson says, "we have no idea what's going to happen. I think that another one of our cooler designs is some of our concept bodies. One line from the song says, No one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama tried Even though Krystens mom has since come around to career choice and is fully supportive Krysten and her mom both think its very funny when Krysten uses the tag #mamatried on her social media posts as a reference to this song and her moms initial lack of enthusiasm for her career choice. He was outside the top five in practice, rose to fourth in qualification, but once the money was on the line, he won his heat to gain a great gate pick. Height and Weight 2023. Krysten is a rad driver with amazing skills and a solid head on her shoulders. '", At Anderson's first World Finals in 2017, she was nervous. Krysten Anderson made history as the first woman to drive the Grave Digger full time. So, I was rushing through a love relationship with them, buying them go-karts, buying them stuff. 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. Krysten is very family oriented and the whole Anderson clan is super tight-knit. Hes gotten all of his world championships there. August 19th, 2022. Those bodies are all 3D and are really cool. All I can say is I love you Daytona.. In 2021, she made her Stadium Tour debut at Houston on January 30. "I'm an Anderson -- everyone looks at me the same way they look at Adam, Ryan and my dad.