#NBCSports #NASCAR #NASCARAmer. Krysten wants to add her name to that list of Monster Jam World Champions as well. And, she was also the first female driver for the Grave Digger team. Last year Tomac broke out of a tie with Ricky Carmichael for the most Daytona wins at six, but there was still a record hanging over him. And her younger brother, Westin, is hoping to pursue a career with Monster Jam once hes old enough. Power Rankings after Arlington "I just really liked her truck," she says. I'm in the stands, and I had tears of joy. 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. [7] She graduated from the University of Florida with a B.A. To this day, we still love to go out and watch races.. After earning podium finishes in his first two races, Max Anstie struggled in the Triple Crown format in Arlington, but still finished among the top five. And around their neck is a specially designed harness that provides stability during impact. Thats plenty of pressure to perform at a high level. With annual shows throughout Florida, including two at Tampas Raymond James Stadium, officials believe the states adoration for the motorsport will draw well and create even more fans. You want me to go do some kind of insane jump or something like that. LeDuc goes through the motions of drifting around the crushed cars in the left lane. 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.. In 2023, she will drive Grave Digger on Arena Tour 1 (West). "When we pull up on the line," Anderson says, "we have no idea what's going to happen. Krysten is a rad driver with amazing skills and a solid head on her shoulders. My two older brothers, Adam and Ryan, are also involved in Monster Jam and they race for the Digger team. Learning to drive one of these trucks is not an easy task. In 2020, Krysten broke the World Record for the highest leap in a Monster Truck at 33 feet and 9.6 inches. I love good country music, but the arena itself has really nice dirt in it and its a very large venue. He apparently missed the limelight of standing on the podium because he outlasted most of the field to finish second and keep his top-five streak alive. And, like I mentioned earlier many people are looking to her as a new beginning for Monster Jam, not just with more female drivers but more female fans as well. "My mom and I used to sing it together all the time when I was younger," she recalls. A: Thats hard to pick because they really do have some pretty cool schemes on there. Grave Digger driver Krysten Anderson discusses her sense of daring when driving and previews the Monster Jam World Finals XXI. I can draw pretty well. Lawrence scored his eighth 250 victory after pulling away from the field. The shop is very heavily focused on Honda cylinder heads and engine work to the tune of 300+ engines and 1,000 cylinder heads annually! As Andersons, we have a certain level of expertise for driving, Krysten told NBC Sports. 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. My brothers have gotten all their world championships there. Id imagine she gets some pretty dang good tips from her fans. If I could be a part of my own designing process, I would love to draw the truck from beginning to end. While Krysten currently leads the Arena Championship Series Central standings, she admits that at first, when she learned that she would be competing alongside drivers such as Tony Ochs (Soldier Fortune Black Ops), Blake Granger (Max-D) and Elvis Lainez (El Toro Loco), she wasn't expecting to. Krysten Anderson Aims to Make History During Grave Digger Anniversary 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. I dont really get a lot of backlash from anyone, she told ESPN. And if family history tells us anything shes going to make it big. Dean. Its like your family being involved in commercial fishing or something your whole life. I was struggling in practice straight up, Tomac told James Stewart on NBC Sports. Compounding his disappointment, Thrasher was coming off a heat win. It was rough for me being an 18 or 19-year-old girl on the road by myself, racing my dads truck and I had all this pressure on me. A lot of times I didn't have as much patience with my family as I did with my fans and, and it took me a little while to realize that, Anderson said. Praise from ones competitors is always valuable; its more impactful when it comes from family especially when ones family has the skill and reputation of the Andersons. She heads back to her trailer, which hauls Grave Digger around all year, to put on her fire suit, a required part of Monster Jam athletes' outfits since the late '80s. Im an Anderson everyone looks at me the same way they look at Adam, Ryan and my dad.. Krysten's diet is quite intense as she has cut out several things from her diet, including gluten, fish, and dairy products. Theyre all world champions. Her height is 5 feet 9 inches or 175 cm (1.75 m), and her weight is only 57 kg or 126 pounds. 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. Krysten didnt set out to drive for Monster Jam. Dennis stated that the first time he saw Krysten in a mud truck, he knew she had what it took. I got around Tom [Vialle] in the whoops and if got a little sketchy at the midpoint with a light sprinkle. View the profiles of people named Krysten Anderson. Diggers Diner is located next to Diggers Dungeon in Poplar, North Carolina. Krysten Anderson blonde to the bone and runnin on methanol 1st female to drive Grave Digger. Not that I dont love Grave Digger. One of Anderson's pre-show rituals is taking some time to herself in her trailer. They needed a Grave Digger driver. Her dad created Grave Digger, the truck she drives. "I was paying attention more to where Tony was and not where I was, and I hit a crushed car and spun out. She has 3 brothers. You go into almost a Terminator mode where its no fun and games anymore. Even though he retired in 2017, Anderson's legacy has been carried on by sons Adam and Ryan, and daughter Krysten, all of whom drive versions of Grave Digger. Ive been doing pretty good. She received one million dollars from a Republican super PAC to research the youth vote and served as its communications director. I hope when it comes time for me to retire Ill have multiple World Championships under my belt.. Krysten is the only daughter of monster truck, Monster Jam and Grave Digger legend, Dennis Anderson. The Monster Jam truck is considered one of the most iconic and recognizable monster trucks in the world. Anaheim 1: Tomac wins opener for the first time, How to Watch Daytona Supercross This is Dad and Dad's got to win. Krysten Anderson (born May 16) is a driver out of Currituck, North Carolina who drives Grave Digger since 2017. I think thats awesome because its all an equal playing field. I cant , his voice trails off, he pauses and chokes back that uncommon emotion. Its got blue flames and its Ryans identity. Creten was Anderson's favorite, though she was partial to her dad. I told the guys we were going to get a holeshot no matter what. Digger! A: Its really tight between two arenas. 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! She got her drag racing license before she got her regular license, and that tells you everything you need to know about Johnna Dunn. Living on the East Coast in North Carolina gives her easy access to some of the best and freshest seafood in the country. 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.. So why dont we get to know a little more about the amazing Krysten Anderson? Today, you can buy Grave Digger T-shirts, party favors, bowling balls, toys and even bed sheets. In four seasons shes advanced to the sports biggest stage where she gets to face off against the most qualified drivers and prove why shes the right Anderson to inherit the Grave Digger seat. Her pedigree, skills, and relationship with the fan base set her up to complete a large feat and shes only a few seasons away from being in the rumor mill of World Champion talk. I had the pressure of being an Anderson and my dad and my brothers had always brought the show home all the time. A lap later, Sexton bobbled exiting a turn and the two made contact again. But the truck driver possessed an innate sense for business. Its hard talking someone into to giving you a race when youve never been on a 450 before especially here at Daytona, Hampshire told NBC Sports Will Christien. Krysten is very family oriented and the whole Anderson clan is super tight-knit. Building a truck takes nine months. Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading I denied. Monster Truck Driver Krysten Anderson Follows in Her - FanBuzz Its a family tradition for us and it is something that consumes our entire lives nothing but Grave Digger, monster trucks and Monster Jam. Find out why shes a force, Whether its motorcycles, skydiving or road racing, Janine Shoffner has an addiction to adrenaline-filled activities. 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. After the pit party, Anderson has to get suited up for the race. For Krysten Anderson, 23, of Currituck, North Carolina, Monster Jam is a family affair. After speaking with Kaylynn Simmons a couple years ago, we found out there are only a few women who work on the pit crews of the NHRA teams. Results and Points after Arlington I had to learn at a very aggressive rate.. Well send you major developments in the local, state and national sports world as they happen. My dad has created such a legacy and such an awesome career. High school field? Krysten Anderson (Monster Jam/Feld . Ultimately, the drivers want the competition to be just as enjoyable for them as it is for the spectators. [Times Files]. It was a tough morning and I had to take a few belly breaths after the heat but we came back swinging, Anstie told NBC Sports Will Christien. Krysten Anderson Breaking The World Record for the Highest Jump 61,541 views Aug 8, 2020 933 Dislike Share Monster Jam 814K subscribers Watch how Krysten Anderson gets the World Record for. Worcester, MA - Feb. 15-17 - DCU Center | Monster Jam Two of our world reigning champions right now are women. "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. Meet Grave Digger's First Female Driver Krysten Anderson | The Pro Mega Truck racing has just started to take off in the last couple of years, but its growing immensely. Join Facebook to connect with Krysten Anderson and others you may know. I could make the first hit and I could roll over and it could all be over right there. 334 talking about this. Log in and Edit. Meet Krysten Anderson, Grave Digger's driver - YouTube She has said that she could eat seafood every dayand she makes a mean tuna steak. Originally from Currituck, North Carolina, Krysten became an official driver back in 2017, which is around the same time as Dennis's accident. [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. If youve never been to a Monster Jam event or seen highlights, drivers today break the laws of physics at every show. Best Bets: Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle, Boyz II . When a driver levels up and takes on a new challenge, there is always a heightened level of scrutiny. To top it all off, despite growing up with monster trucks in . Is it even in my blood?, I went out there and took to it pretty naturally. At 37 years old, Adam Anderson height not available right now. I was hoping I didnt bump him and mess something up on the bike. Krysten hasnt ruled out going to college someday, but for now driving Grave Digger is where she wants to be. Photo from Live Nation. She has talked often about how grateful she is for her parents and how well they raised her. That ones pretty cool when it rolls into the arena, Im not going to lie. Ive grown in leaps and bounds over the span of four years.. Your IP: Krysten Anderson - Facebook I could hear them every lap going down the frontstretch and I am so excited to be up here in my fourth race.. It was a great fight. [8] As a senior, she interned at The Winston Group, an opinion research and political communications firm based in Washington, D.C.[7], After graduation in 2005, she accepted a full-time position with The Winston Group, where she focused on the youth vote and education reform. This year's all-star Monster Jam competition is a family affair It was something that we always loved to do. I think that its great that Monster Jam has created this space for us females to show the guys what we got and that we do belong here and that we are tough competitors.. I realized this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a lot of people. In 2020, Krysten broke the World Record for the highest leap in a Monster Truck at 33 feet and 9.6 inches. You cant know monster trucks and not know Anderson. The next night, she finished second in the Freestyle Competition. Its just us. Q: Aside from Grave Digger, is there another truck on the Monster Jam tour you think has a really cool skin/design? ", "When I pull out on the tracks," she says, "I have no idea what's going to happen. Hes attending his first competition in Florida since 2017 to support his kids, and to see his fans. In his fourth 250 East start, Haiden Deegan scored his first career podium. 291 talking about this. I have those butterflies all the way up my throat and down to the tips of my toes. It makes me so mad because theres some people who pick it up right away. 1st female Point Series Champion. Krysten Anderson is a true triple threat. Last year Tomac passed Webb late in the 2022 Daytona Supercross race and denied him the win, so the early lead was incredibly important. You can tell that Krysten and her brothers genuinely enjoy one another and have a good time together. Pride, fear, joy, anger and disappointment all mix in an uncommon way, creating unnerving emotions you may not have known existed inside your heart. Despite her instant fame and name recognition in the Monster Jam world she seems very down to earth and approachable. Anderson started training in 2016 and had her first live show a year later in Nashville, Tennessee. 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. Products featured on Fanbuzz are independently selected by our editors. And the reason that I'm nervous is because, you know, my boys are the reigning world champions (Adam in racing, Ryan in freestyle). Three of Dennis' children have followed . I can never quit. Id want it to be some kind of spin off of Grave Digger some kind of a pink or purple body that has the same Grave Digger paint scheme. 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. 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 can be just as good as my dad and my brothers. Andersons willingness to create carnage on the floor elevated Grave Digger from monster truck to marketing and merchandising. [1] Marie Claire declared Anderson one of the "New Guard" of fifty rising female leaders. I didnt even know if I had it in me. Other. It could be the best freestyle I've ever done, it could be the best race I've ever had, and that's what makes it so exciting for the fans and for the crowds. 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. He is now five behind Webb and 10 behind Tomac in a season where none of these three riders have been able to gain a distinct advantage. Can you imagine what it would be like to have one of your Monster Jam idols as your waitress??? Our other world champion is Linsey Read in Scooby Doo and shes our freestyle champion. When he told friends he had to hit the road to go perform, they said, You act like youre some kind of rock star.. Eli Tomac wins sixth Daytona SX race, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Flipboard (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). Update: Dylan Ferrandis return to racing delayed after Daytona Media Day RJ Hampshire to debut in Supercross 450 class at Daytona. [7] In 2014, she made the National Journal's annual Women of Washington list of the 25 most influential Washington women under 35. Advertisement. My confidence wasnt high. Chase Sexton finished third, losing just a little ground in the standings. Their love for them seems to have rubbed off on me. Krysten Anderson, 21, has rounded out her first year as a professional Monster Jam truck driver with Grave Digger as her chariot. Keep it up, Krysten! I'm not thinking about what could happen when I get out there because you never know what could go down while out on the track. Cooper Webb wins Arlington, closes on Tomac "When I think about where Grave Digger started in this tiny North Carolina town, literally up the road from my house, I can't believe it. Only Cory Rummell in a truck named Rage was better the second night with his 9.551. I know Im still in the infancy of my career, but as far as how long I want to race, Im not really sure. I was the slowest qualifier last year. My dad said, Youre spoiling them. I said, Dad, everything I buy them has got a motor on it. He ended up taking the win from me.". The front clip is an old Jeep Willys and its black and blue. When fears of a global coronavirus pandemic ground the world to a halt in early 2020, the automotive industry served as a posterchild for shutdowns, slowdowns, and lockdowns. Anderson is only the third female driver to compete full-time in the Stadium series. She is the daughter of Dennis Anderson and the sister of Adam, Ryan, and Weston Anderson. "I realized that my life was different from other little girls around the fourth grade," she says. Performance & security by Cloudflare. I feel like women in motorsports have a lot to prove or we feel like we have a lot to prove to show that we belong here or that we have a place in motorsports. If you ask me to do 15 backflips in a row, I can do 15 backflips in a row, she says. Monster Jam Triple Threat Series comes to . That trick made me pull my hair out.. I was the first and only female to ever drive Grave Digger and Im the only female Anderson. How fans like to get their racing jam on with Monster Jam After she has talked to her dad she is able to calm her nerves, clear head and focus on what she needs to do. After getting dumped by Lawrence, Thrasher was working his way back through the field and running 10th when he crashed a second time. Photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment, Grave Digger and driver Dennis Anderson has long been a fan favorite at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. I was progressing at such a rapid rate, whereas when my dad or my brothers had started, if you rewind 10 or 15 years, the caliber of racing and technical skills and stuff was nothing to where it was when I started. For the last decade, road racing has been her biggest passion as a co-founder of J2-Racing. I didnt want to look back, I didnt want it to be a big what if,' she told ESPN. A mega truck is basically the same horsepower blower motor and everything as a monster truck, but whereas the monster truck is about 13,000-14,000 lbs., a mega truck can weigh anywhere between 7,000 to 8,000 lbs. He loved it so much & was excited to tell you thank you, even if he acted shy Thank you also for taking the time out of your busy day to make it! I wouldn't be surprised to even see her become a World Finals champion down the road. She didn't get put into that truck for nothing. I couldn't even make it down the track correctly," she says. I was brand new. Ive been working my butt off and a lot of people doubted me, but I ended up getting third place and the crowd is sick. 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. Those tricks werent even a thing five years ago. 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 Monster Jam World Finals at Orlandos Camping World Stadium. "My mom never wanted me to be a Monster Jam driver," Anderson says. Monster truck driver Krysten Anderson's 'outlaw country' playlist 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. In a level of talent that almost matches her driving skill, she can sing almost every Hank Williams Jr. song from memory. We will update Adam Anderson's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. But, even though Dennis Anderson has ended his Monster Jam career, he still has children who followed in the same footsteps who can carry on the family legacy: Adam Anderson, Ryan Anderson, and the newest driver of the three, Krysten Anderson. "Once I had a bad spill and it was time, that was The Man knocking on the door and saying, Hey, old guy, you better back it down and chill out and live life.' "I think that really helped me get past my rookie nerves and build my confidence. Carrying on a family tradition 23| Driver of Grave Digger | Daughter of Dennis Anderson Instagram: @krysten.anderson #mamatried #teamdigger MONSTER JAM! I remember being in the bottom of the rig playing with my monster trucks. I would sit there and watch videos and listen to peoples throttle rhythm and do this and do that. Im through the roof, Deegan said. But these question were far from her mind when Anderson climbed up into the most famous truck in the stadium at Houston. After the truck is on I pull the black fuel knob to get fuel into the engine and start the truck," says Anderson. Those bodies are all 3D and are really cool. Three years later, Im still doing it.. Adam Anderson, Krysten Anderson and Ryan Anderson carry on the Monster Jam legacy created by their father, the original Grave Digger Dennis Anderson. Andersons dont settle for a second when they can achieve first. Deep down, he never believed his kids would enter the sport Weston, his youngest, may soon join in because he spent so much time on the road. I have to tip my cap to myself and also to Eli, Webb said. When her oldest nephew was learning how to say her name her somehow ended up calling her Krustacean instead. Thats what I decided to do.. Krystens pre-show ritual involves calling her dad. [5], In 2013 Time named Anderson one of the 30 People Under 30 who are changing the world. Krysten Ritter Measurements: Height, Weight & More - Celeb Health Magazine RJ Hampshire to debut in 450s Kristen Soltis Anderson Height, Weight, Size, Body Measurements 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. [9], In 2014, she left The Winston Group and founded research organization Echelon Insights with Patrick Ruffini. I was screaming louder than their fans were and they were probably looking at me like, You gotta be kidding me? 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. Video: Monster Jam driver Krysten Anderson on competing with family We have two women sitting in world championship chairs right now and that hasnt happened in over 20 years. Experience the Monster Jam World Finals with Female Driver Krysten Anderson When Krysten turned 18 and graduated high school, an opportunity opened up for her to become one of the Grave Digger drivers. Krysten fits that bill as well. It is a high intensity, fast-paced event that challenges both the drivers and their machines. 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. He had a huge foot in the door for me. Ryan and Adam Anderson are also wildly successful Monster Jam champions as well. Krysten Anderson: Grave Digger's Daughter and First Lady 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. 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. Clearly, Krysten has done enough to make her pops proud and then some. Anderson has cohosted two live media blogs: The Week In Blog for Bloggingheads.tv and Wilshire and Washington for Variety. Eyes are on Krysten Anderson as she inherits Grave Digger - NBC Sports "I'm an Anderson -- everyone looks at me the same way they look at Adam, Ryan and my dad. "If Dawn and my dad were racing, I had to say, 'Sorry, Dawn! "I have those butterflies all the way up my throat and down to the tips of my toes. Now, even though she's got big shoes to fill, make no mistake, Krysten is already a very talented driver.