FROM FAN TO COMPETITOR, MR. EXCITEMENT TALKS ABOUT
THE LAST EVER MONSTER JAM AT THE PONTIAC SILVERDOME

As a young boy, Jim Koehler went to the Pontiac Silverdome for truck pulling events. When Bob Chandler rolled out the Bigfoot monster truck the first time at a truck pull event at the Silverodme and crushed a car, he was in the stands. That moment inspired Jim’s future dream job, to be a monster truck driver.

Over the past two decades, Jim went from a fan with a dream to the owner and driver of the Avenger Racing team. He watched is dream come full circle when he pulled Avenger into the Silverdome to race against his heroes in the sport at a Monster Jam event.

In 2003, he won the Monster Jam World Finals Freestyle Championship and now he will compete at the Last Ever Monster Jam at the Pontiac Silverdome before they close their doors in February forever.

Knowing the history of monster trucks and Jim’s personal history at the Pontiac Silverdome, I got the chance to ask him a few questions about what it means for him to drive at the last ever Monster Jam at this historic venue.

How long have you been attending events at the Pontiac Silverdome?

“I’ve been attending all sorts of events, since the building was built. It will be sad to see it close.”

What does it mean to you to be having the last ever Monster Jam at the Pontiac Silverdome?

“Growing up in Michigan , meant going to motorsport events at the Silverdome. As a kid, truck pulls were the best. Monsters weren’t even a form of competition yet. I was there when Bigfoot first drove up on some cars at a truck pull. Everyone, including myself, thought it was awesome. As time went on monster trucks became a great side show. I loved going to the Silverdome and meeting the drivers and checking out the trucks. I knew some pulling drivers, so I got in early and into the pits some of the time. It’s really weird to have been in the stands and see Bigfoot. He just drove on the cars and the place went nuts. If I do that at the last show in Avenger, the fans will boo me out of the dome.”

What have been some of your most memorable moments at Monster Jam in the past at the Silverdome?

“Most of my past moments at the Silverdome that are memorable was meeting Gary Porter, Dennis Anderson, Scott Stevens, and Allen Pezo. It’s funny because I went from just a fan to one of their peers; from ticket holder to competitor. It gives me a great appreciation for my fans. I used to stand in their shoes.

As a competitor, my first ever dome show at a Monster Jam was the Silverdome. I lost to Tom Meents first round and was done for the night. Back then only a few trucks freestyled. It was still a great night for me. Of course, my family and friends were still fighting the crowds to get in and they missed my run. I love driving at my hometown show to show off but the hometown curse was on my back. The next year a head on crash with Black Widow, that was my fault, during a two at a time freestyle. Then I lost reverse I my transmission during racing and begged Denny Cline t let me freestyle. I rolled it over turning around before even hitting the cars once. Still the excitement of being there was worth it. I finally shook the back luck and started doing very well at Pontiac the last few years.

The last ever Monster Jam is going to feature a 20 truck field of all stars in the sport, any special plans for the Avenger team?

“If your going to drive in the last show ever at your hometown dome, you have to go BIG - as Tom Meents would say. I have plenty in store for the fans, I hope the truck agrees. It should be good since it’s the first show of the season. The truck will be top notch. I hope they make the track something cool, with some big air jumps. I can’t wait to watch everyone else run as a fan. Then show them what I got!”

Do you have any goals for this event?

“ WIN , WIN , WIN , or look really cool loosing. If there’s a fountain, I might have to take a swim. I want the fans to remember me.”

Since you started out as a fan in the stands, what advice would you give someone in the stands that has a dream to be a monster truck driver?

“Stick to that dream, there is always a way to live your dreams. It may take a long time and a lot of work but I believe that anything is possible. Just look at me!”

Any special thoughts about it being the last ever at the Silverdome? Anything you are going to be happy or sad about that it’s coming to an end?

“It’s been great and I know where ever Monster Jam may go, the show will always be great. The building is cool, but it’s the people that make the show.”

When the dust settles and you sign the last autograph of the night, what do you hope to take away from the event?

“I hope to take walk away with a good time and I hope the fans get what they are expecting.”

Anything that you want to add?

“If you have never been to a Monster Jam at the Silverdome, you won’t want to miss this one. It will be AWESOME!”