Picture this: the roar of engines, the scent of gasoline in the air, and the thrill of massive tires crushing anything in their path. That was our reality on Father’s Day weekend when Jeff, Walt, and I (Murphy) headed to the 2Xtreme Monster Truck Series at the Sarpy County Fairgrounds for our very first monster truck rally. Let’s just say, it was a day we’ll never forget, complete with VIP perks, a ride in a beast called Knucklehead, and a personal chat with the legendary Grave Digger himself.
Kicking Off with VIP Status
From the moment we arrived, we knew this wasn’t going to be your average day out. Thanks to some sweet VIP treatment, we skipped the regular lines and dove straight into the good stuff: a meet-and-greet, an autograph session, and access to experiences that made us feel like rockstars. The energy was electric, and we were buzzing with excitement as we stepped into the world of monster trucks.
Meeting Hot Tamale
Our VIP adventure started with meeting Hot Tamale, a vibrant machine that’s as spicy as its name suggests. Michael Brister gave us the lowdown on what it takes to tame a beast like that—horsepower, guts, and a whole lot of skill. We snapped some pics and soaked in the sheer size of the truck up close. It was the perfect warm-up for what was coming next. (Instagram @michael_brister383)

Face-to-Face with the OG Grave Digger
Then came the moment we’d all been waiting for: meeting the current driver of King Of Sling, the famous driver behind the wheel of the iconic Grave Digger. This wasn’t just a quick handshake—He took the time to chat with us, sharing stories about life on the monster truck circuit and what it’s like to pilot one of the most legendary trucks in the game. The King Of Sling’s larger-than-life presence was unreal, with its signature green-and-black paint job and towering tires. Getting his autograph felt like snagging a piece of monster truck history. Jeff couldn’t stop grinning, Walt was in awe, and I was already plotting how to frame that signed pic.

Buckle Up: Riding in Knucklehead
If we thought meeting Grave Digger was the highlight, we were in for a surprise. The VIP package included a ride in Knucklehead, and let me tell you—nothing prepares you for the adrenaline of bouncing around in the back of a monster truck. The driver revved the engine, and off we went, feeling every jolt and jump as Knucklehead tore across the dirt. Walt was whooping like a kid, Jeff was holding on for dear life, and I was just trying to keep my hat from flying off. It was chaos, it was loud, and it was absolutely epic.

The Main Event: Monster Show Highlights
After our ride, we settled in for the main show, and it did not disappoint. Trucks soared through the air, flipped, spun, and smashed old cars into oblivion. The crowd roared as each driver pushed their machine to the limit. From gravity-defying jumps to wheelies that seemed to last forever, the 2Xtreme Series delivered a jaw-dropping spectacle.

Wrapping It Up
As the dust settled and the engines quieted down, we left the fairgrounds with huge smiles and a new appreciation for monster trucks. It wasn’t just about the noise or the action—it was the whole experience, from the VIP perks to meeting Grave Digger and feeling the raw power of Knucklehead firsthand. We’re already counting down the days until we can do it again.
Until next time, keep the engines revving!
— Murphy, Jeff, and Walt