Tom Meents facts for kids
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Meents in 2011
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| 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 |
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Thomas William Meents (born July 10, 1967) is a famous American former professional monster truck driver. He drove the awesome truck called Max-D in Monster Jam events. Tom is a true legend in the monster truck world.
He has won an amazing 14 Monster Jam World Finals championships! These wins include six in racing, six in freestyle, and two in 2-wheel skills challenges. People often call Tom "the professor" or "the GOAT" (Greatest Of All Time) of monster trucks.
Contents
Tom Meents' Amazing Career
Tom Meents started his career as a mud racer. He drove his own vehicle, which he called Shake Me. His first big crash happened when he rolled Shake Me over at a mud race in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
In 1992, he won the NMRO Open Class championship. Later, he teamed up with Paul Shafer to drive Shafer's Mud Patrol vehicle. Tom 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 driving this truck. He even won the USHRA U.S. Truck Fest in 1997.
Driving Bulldozer and Goldberg
Meents bought the Monster Patrol truck in 1999. Then, a company called PACE Motor Sports asked him to drive a monster truck named Bulldozer. This was to help make the truck more famous. In his very first event with Bulldozer, Tom beat Dennis Anderson, who drove the famous Grave Digger. This win was shown on national television, and Tom became an instant star! He continued driving Bulldozer until December 1999.
In 2000, another company, Clear Channel, asked Tom to drive a new truck called Goldberg. This truck was named after a famous wrestler. Tom was incredibly successful with Goldberg and became even more popular. With Goldberg, he won the first-ever Monster Jam World Finals racing championship in 2000. In 2001, he won both the racing and freestyle championships at the World Finals. This event was memorable because Tom and Dennis Anderson tried to drive over each other's trucks at the end!
The Rise of Max-D
After the Goldberg truck, Tom debuted a new truck called Team Meents in 2001. It looked similar to Goldberg but had a new paint job. Tom won both World Finals championships again in 2002 with Team Meents.
In 2003, his truck got a brand new look and name: Maximum Destruction, or Max-D. Tom remained very popular with Max-D, winning many big stadium events. In 2004, he shared the freestyle championship with two other drivers. Finally, in 2006, Tom won the Monster Jam World Freestyle Championship all by himself again.
He won another racing championship in 2009 at Monster Jam World Finals 10. He won this title again in 2011 and defended it in 2012. In 2013, which was Max-D's tenth anniversary, Tom won his fifth freestyle title. In 2005, Tom Meents even jumped Max-D over his old house before smashing the house with the truck!
Tom Meents' Signature Moves
Tom Meents is known for his special moves during freestyle competitions. These include:
- Super-fast "cyclone" donuts, where the truck spins in tight circles.
- "Side surf" two-wheel driving, where the truck balances on two wheels.
- Roof and wing walks, where he stands on top of the truck while it's still moving!
- He often sticks his left hand out the window while flying through the air.
Tom is also famous for hitting obstacles at unusual angles and at much higher speeds than other drivers. After a great freestyle run, he often goes into the crowd. He sometimes gives his helmet to a fan holding a sign about Max-D.
Amazing Flips and Stunts
Tom Meents was the first person to try a monster truck backflip. He landed a perfect backflip at his shop in Illinois. When he tried it in public at the Monster Jam World Finals in 2009, he landed a bit too hard and rolled over.
He was also the first person to try a double backflip in Monster Jam. He practiced this stunt at his shop. He tried it at MetLife Stadium in 2012, but only completed one backflip and landed on the truck's hood. However, he successfully completed the first-ever double backflip at World Finals 14! This was part of an encore to celebrate Max-D's 10th anniversary.
On June 13, 2015, Tom Meents made history again. He successfully landed the first-ever front-flip in a monster truck! He almost set a Guinness World Record, but his front tires didn't touch the ground as required.
Awards and Achievements
Tom Meents has won many awards throughout his career:
- 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
