Tom Meents facts for kids
.jpg)
Meents in 2011
|
|
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 10, 1967 Paxton, Illinois, U.S. |
| Sport | |
| Country | United States |
| Sport | Monster Jam |
| Team | Max-D |
| Achievements and titles | |
| World finals |
|
Thomas William Meents (born July 10, 1967) is a famous American former professional monster truck driver. He is best known for driving the awesome truck called Max-D in Monster Jam. Tom has won a huge 14 Monster Jam World Finals championships! This includes six in racing, six in freestyle, and two in 2-wheel skills. Many people call Tom "the professor" or even the "GOAT" (Greatest Of All Time) of monster trucks.
Contents
Tom Meents' Amazing Career
Tom Meents started his journey in motorsports as a mud racer. He drove his own vehicle, which he named Shake Me. Tom had his first big crash when he rolled Shake Me over in a mud race. This happened in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Rising to Fame
In 1992, Tom won the NMRO Open Class championship. He then teamed up with Paul Shafer. Tom drove Shafer's Mud Patrol vehicle. He won more championships in 1993 and 1994. This success led him to drive one of Shafer's Monster Patrol monster trucks. Tom quickly became very popular in this truck. He even won the USHRA U.S. Truck Fest in 1997.
Later, Tom bought the Monster Patrol truck. In 1999, he was asked to drive the Bulldozer monster truck. This was to make the truck more well-known. In his very first event with Bulldozer, Tom beat Dennis Anderson. Dennis Anderson is the driver of the famous Grave Digger. This win was shown on national TV, and Tom became an instant star!
The Goldberg and Max-D Eras
In 2000, Tom started driving a new truck called Goldberg. This truck was named after a famous wrestler. Tom was incredibly successful with Goldberg. He won the very first Monster Jam World Finals racing championship in 2000. In 2001, he won both the racing and freestyle championships! This was a "full sweep" of the event.
After the Goldberg truck, Tom debuted "Team Meents" in 2001. It looked similar to Goldberg. With this truck, Tom swept the World Finals again in 2002.
In 2003, Tom's truck got a brand new look and name: Maximum Destruction, or Max-D! Tom has remained super popular with Max-D. He has won many big stadium events. In 2006, Tom won the Monster Jam World Freestyle Championship again. He also won another racing championship in 2009. He won again in 2011 and 2012. In 2013, Tom won his fifth freestyle title. That same year, Tom Meents did something amazing. He jumped Max-D over his old house, then completely destroyed the house with the truck!
Tom Meents' Signature Moves
Tom Meents is known for his exciting and unique moves during freestyle competitions.
Awesome Stunts
- Cyclone Donuts: He spins the truck super fast in tight circles.
- Side Surf: He drives the truck balanced on just two wheels.
- Roof and Wing Walks: He stands on top of the truck while it's still moving!
- He often sticks his left hand out the window when flying through the air.
- Tom is famous for hitting obstacles at unusual angles and at higher speeds than other drivers.
- After a freestyle run, he often goes into the crowd. He gives his helmet to a fan holding a Max-D sign.
Epic Flips
Tom Meents was the first person to try a monster truck backflip. He landed a perfect backflip at his shop. He tried it in public at the Monster Jam World Finals in 2009. He landed on the back of the truck and rolled over.
Tom was also the first person to try a double backflip in Monster Jam. He practiced this stunt in secret. He attempted it in 2012, but only did one backflip. However, he completed the first-ever double backflip at World Finals 14! This was during an extra performance.
On June 13, 2015, Tom Meents made history. He successfully landed the first-ever front-flip in a monster truck! He completed a full forward rotation. He landed on Max-D's back tires.
Tom Meents' Awards
- USHRA U.S. Truck Fest Champion - 1997
- Monster Jam World Finals Racing Championships - 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2011, 2012
- Monster Jam World Finals Freestyle Championships - 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2013, 2022
- Monster Jam World Finals Two Wheel Skills Champion - 2019, 2022
- Monster Jam Stadium Series Points Champion - 2019, 2022
- Monster Jam Wreck of the year: 2004, 2007, 2011, 2012
