Monster Truck Throwdown brings entertainment to Escanaba

Terminal Velocity driver John Zimmer Jr. performs a jump during Monster Truck Throwdown on June 15, 2024 at the U.P. State Fairgrounds in Escanaba. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

ESCANABA — Fans were on the edge of their seats as the high flying action of Monster Truck Throwdown took place at the U.P. State fairgrounds on Saturday.

“I’ve spent the last four years doing this event,” Monster Truck Throwdown announcer Ryan LaCosse said. “I have been doing monster truck shows since 2014 and getting to see the fans come out to see the drivers and take in the show is awesome cause that’s what I did when I was a kid.”

Monster Truck Throwdown runs across the Great Lakes states with 20-25 shows each summer.

John Zimmer Sr. made an appearance in the truck Uproar and in 2013-2016 drove the infamous Grave Digger truck for Monster Jam. Zimmer Sr. also raced with his son as John Zimmer Jr. was there in Terminal Velocity.

Also appearing over the weekend was Athena Kozel in Lil’ Moss Dangerous, Elliott Miller in Colossus and newcomer Kylie Kent in Sinastar. The five trucks competed in three different events including best trick, racing and freestyle. John Zimmer Jr. swept the show winning all three events. “It’s not all about winning,” Zimmer Jr. said. “It’s about spending time with the fans that come out to see us. That is the most rewarding part of this show.”

In between the events Scott Murray and his freestyle motocross team took to the air. Murray appeared on X Games in 2009 but suffered a crash during the event. “That was a long time ago,” Murray said. “It was the pinnacle of my career. It’s like the Olympics for us, you know. All the fans and people involved in X Games were great but I have mixed emotions of the experience because of the crash and dealing with the disappointment.” Scott’s son, Eli Murray, was their performing for the fans at the age of 13 is as he said living a dream.

“I started on a trials bike when I was like three years old,” Eli Murray said. “I just kept at it going bigger and bigger and now I’m riding a super mini and just continuing to get better, I absolutely love doing this it’s fun and getting to do this and spend time with my dad doing it is amazing.”