From Some Recent Meent's Fans...Keep Em Coming...!
(Misspellings left in place for authenticity)
Tom-I'm a 42 year old software sales director for a small software startup company in the northeast. I'm also a sports car nut and prefer european cars and am missing the old speedvision even though it's 2008 already. You're in a league all your own man- I've seen you off and on over the years and you just don't care. I mean you give the fans like 300%. You landed some sort of full gainer reverse flip on a free style event where the whole body had already come off and as soon as you landed stuck your hand in the air and put your foot right back in it. I'm not the biggest Monster Jam fan but I could watch you any week. You are a true competitor who has mastered the balancing act between entertainment and competition. Now go drive through an RV for me and put together a few cross threading freestyle moves. Thanks Gary John for being his number 1 fan!!
Charlie K, Arlington, VA
Thank you for letting us meet you and your family in las vegas this weekend, and stephen loves his number one. When they were bringing the drivers around for the opening of the show, Stephen was standing on the bench, waving his number one and Tom saw him. Thank you again, joyce&stephen
Stephen & Joyce B, Turlock, CA
Great Site you've got here. Keep up the good work. I live in Canada and I've attended the last 3 Monster Jams in Toronto, Ontario. The Events are held at the Rogers Centre and it always turns out to be a great time. The one thing that is Missing is Meents!!! I realize that he can't make it to every show, but I was just wondering if you any plans to come back? Even if its at the olympic stadium in Montreal. He did a show there before cause I seen it on speedvision once. The rogers centre is big enough for his style of show and the Olympic Stadium is certainly big enough.
Darren W, Ontario, Canada
We have 2 boys who are so excited to be coming to the finals in Vegas your message touched my heart, I too have a son Dom who is 9 with Learning Disabilities who loves these guys and I love them as role models, and a son Dan who is 6 who has sensory disorders even though they are loud cannot get enough of it and lives for it every day. It is what makes being a parent worthwhile and We would love the chance to meet them in Vegas while we are there, we are working on a banner. For kids like mine these guys are worth looking up to...Thanks for all you do
Alicia G, Stamford,Connecticut
My son Hayden is 4 and has been a Tom Meents fan since he was 22 months old (his first Monster Jam event). He met Tom at the Frieze Harley Davidson in O'Fallon Illinois the week of the event in February 2006. Tom gladly allowed Hayden to get in the truck and held Hayden up high on his shoulder for a pic. Hayden has told us that Tom was his buddy ever since. We have attended all the St. Louis events since then and every year we return to Frieze the week before the show (or day before the show-this year) and Tom again gladly takes pictures with our boys and signs small posters for them. This year he also signed Hayden and our other son Carson's shirts and they wore them to last nights event in St. Louis (2-16-08). Hayden was looking forward to this event as he does every year and counted down the days since the new year. Hayden was looking forward to the free style competition and when Max D lost a wheel and didn't win the event, as he has done the past 3 years in S. Louis, I watched my son's heart melt. He was so upset for Tom, that he sat there crying quitely. The entire ride home we tried to explain to him that everyone looses sometimes and that Tom still had an awesome ride. he agreed that Tom's short ride was awesome, but still sulked. He wanted his "buddy" to win so badly. Today he is still heart broken for his "buddy". Best of luck at the World Finals Tom!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks, Aimee
Aimee O, Mascoutah, IL
Hey there M.D. I thought I would send you an E-mail to let you know that I went to see the monster jam at the louisville arena and I was a Grave Digger Fan had been for years since I was a little girl and my boyfriend finally took me to see you all for the first time and when you came out for your turn i feel in love with your truck but when it was all over and you all did autograohs i stood there forever to get mine and you was the sweetest guy there. You ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU ARE THE WORLD'S BEST AND ALWAYS WILL BE!!!!!!!!!!! cause like i said before it's not about the truck it's the driver!!!!!!!!!Thanks for your time and for being the person that you are. YOU'RE THE BEST! ROCK ON!!!
Lillie, Elizabethtown, Kentucky
My grand son Jeremy is a big little fan of Tom. Jeremy resides in Fenton Mo. A couple of weeks before Xmas we traveled thru IL. I took a chance on stopping at Tom's shop hoping my grandson could meet him and low and behold Tom was in. He shook his hand and Tom signed a picture and gave it to him. It was like Jeremy's 2nd Xmas.
Jeremy S, Watseka,IL
Hello my name is Christina E, but feel free to call me Tina. I am 18 years old and I live in KY. I have been a fan of Tom Meents since I was 10 years old when he drove Goldberg. I am one of the few people who follow the driver instead of the truck and Tom Meents is definitely my favorite driver. I have met him only once, but I am getting ready to go back and see him again at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, IN.
Christina (Tina) E, Kentucky
I have a Tom Meents helmet because he is my dad. Yes I am serious about this. P.S. Hi Gary
Hannah M, Illinois
My son Rischon & I went to the Monster Jam in Minneapolis on 01/08/2007 and meet Tom Meents.I just wanted to thank you for being so good with my son. I was very impressed on how good you were with all the kids, not just mine. I appreciate this more than you can know. you have a couple of new fans. My son cannot stop telling everyone about his experience.Thank you very much. We both wish you the very best.
Rich K, Minnesota
Hi there, I watch you all the time on Speed, you are my hero. I just bought the new hat, looks great, someday I will see you live. Your a great driver and you do wild stuff.
Johnny D, Germany
Hi. Im Chris. (duh) i love maxium destruction and tom meents. he kiks gravediggers but any day. "tom meents is my hero". thank you for the meents dream.
Christopher W, Indianapolis
When God made Tom Meents, he broke the mold. You've earned your wings...literly. You make my heart smile. Thank you. Thank you for your time. P.S. I just joined Tom's fan club.
Lois F, Jamestown, NY
My son is 3 years old December 7th and every night him and his dad watch Monster Jams and every time your truck shows up on the TV my son says there's my Tom Meents and he gets so excited we didn't help him to like certain trucks he came up and looked at his dad and said Daddy I like Tom Meents so hopefully in the next year or so we are going to try to take him to a Monster truck show So he can meet his Tom Meents. I was tickled to see that you have a fan club web sight that my son can join. I asked him what kind of birthday cake did he want and he said that he wanted a Tom Meents Monster Jam cake so that is what he is getting.
Alissa, Josh, and Cody
We went to Monster Jams first Uk event at Cardiff, we met Tom and got our homemade banner signed at the Pitt party....he states Tom and Max D as his favourites.
Matthew P, Brighton, England
hi tom and the crew i have watching you guys since i was small ever one from bigfoot to grave digger. i have collected all of your toy monster trucks. i like what you in arena with your truck...THANK YOU
Larry C, Winsted, Minnesota
Hey Tom Meents!! I saw the 2007 World Finals,Your truck could handle that last jump after you tore your Rear Suspension?! Wow! In case you're wondering, i saw the Finals on T.V. See ya on t.v..
Joshua, HARTS, WV
Hello, In church on Sunday mornings, I work with an 8 yo autistic boy who thinks Tom is God(really). He loves monster trucks and constantly talks about them and their drivers. Please, please, please, can I get an autographed picture from Tom for Jonathan. It would truly make his day. Thank you.
Melody H, Gainesville, Georgia
I just wanted to know when and if you were going to have any monster truck shows in my area or surrounding areas. Please let me know! Thank You so much for your time!!
Krystle G, Mount Joy, PA
Hey Tom Meents,i made my own custom sign! When Monster Jam goes to the Charleston Civic Center again,i'll show it!
Joshua A, Harts, WV
Hello i am looking for a monster truck for my matric farewell. Can you please contact me ASAP. Please tell me you know someone near my city that can help me.
Jamaine, Ellisras, South-Africa
Wow! What an influence to all! I enjoy all your info, pics, videos, and your way cool website! I have a 9 year old boy (who also was a go cart)and we have been going to Monster Jam in Cincinnati, Ohio since he was 4years old. He enjoys it more and more each year! I stumbled across your website searching for the 2007 World Series Final in Las Vegas. I am planning a trip with my son in March. Just wanted to stop by and say 'Thank You.' Thanks You for your expertise and dedication to monster truck entertainment. God has certainly Blessed You and Your Family.
Eric G, Cincinnati, Ohio
Tom i wanna drive max-d i'm not nearly afraid of air like the preditor driver!
Mike G, Sudbury, Ontario
JUST HAD TO SAY THANK YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH FOR THE COOL PICS. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING ALL OVER FOR TOM MEENTS JUMPING HIS OWN TRUCK IN FREE STYLE (WORLD FINALS 2006) I WAS REALLLY BUMMING I COULDN'T FIND ONE. I HOPE ITS OK...I ONLY DOWNLOADED THE PICTURE FOR MY SCREENSAVER AT WORK. THANKS AGAIN YOUR WEBSITE IS AWESOME. I LOVE IT!!!!!
REGINA B, GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
We share your enthusiasim for monster trucks; Hunter is 11 and has autism and loves monster trucks too. You have a great website, we really enjoyed the photo gallery. Thank you!
Ron and Hunter F, Conesus, New York
Send in Your Personal Message to Tom!
See More of The Official Tom Meents Fan Site - Since I Am Already A Team Meents Member!
Who Is Tom Meents
Who is Tom Meents You Say?
Tom Meents, driver of Maximum Destruction is a professional monster truck driver and the only 7 time World Champion. He currently drives Maximum Destruction (monster truck) on the USHRA Monster Jam circuit. Meents usually races and freestyles with Neil Elliott who drives Hot Wheels. Tom Meents stays on the cutting edge of Freestyle moves, this year did one of the first back flips ever in monster truck history! Gary John Schrader, founder of the Tom Meents Offical Fan Club, has been following the Meents Racing Team for nearly 11 years. Tom's truck is a proven chassis and mechanicals that allows for a true field tested monster truck that seems to defy the laws of gravity.
Career
Meents started out as a mud racer, driving his own vehicle, Shake Me. Meents experienced his first wreck when he rolled the Shake Me over at a USHRA Mud Race in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He won the NMRO Open Class championship in 1992. He later teamed up with Paul Shafer to drive Shafer's Mud Patrol vehicle. Tom won the NMRO Class 5 championship in 1993 and 1994 and won the Class 6 championship in 1993. This also led to an opportunity to drive one of Shafer's Monster Patrol monster trucks, which Tom drove to a quick rise in popularity. Among his accomplishments in this truck was a victory at the USHRA U.S. Truck Fest in 1997.
Tom Meents bought the truck and in 1999 was commissioned by PACE Motor Sports (now Clear Channel to run a Bulldozer truck) body to help increase the truck's exposure. In his first event with Bulldozer, Meents defeated Dennis Anderson and Grave Digger on national television, becoming an instant star in the process. Meents would continue driving Bulldozer until the end of 1999.
In 2000, Clear Channel commissioned Meents to drive a new truck, Goldberg, named after the WCW wrestler. Meents was extremely successful in the truck and rose to an even greater level of popularity, despite controversy over the truck's wrestling basis and unconventional looks. With Goldberg, Meents won the inaugural Monster Jam World Finals racing championship in 2000, and completed a full sweep of the event in 2001. This event was notable for the controversial "grand finale", in which Anderson and Meents attempted to drive over each other's trucks at the end of the freestyle competition.
When the WCW folded at the end of 2001, Meents debuted Team Meents, which was a repaint of Goldberg with a similar design and lettering style. Meents again swept the World Finals in 2002 with this truck.
In 2003, the truck got a brand new image with the debut of Maximum Destruction. Meents' popularity has remained high with this truck, with several major stadium event victories, but he has not had the success in the World Finals he had with previous trucks. Despite berths in the first three World Finals since switching to "Max D.", he had only been able to score a co-championship in freestyle with Madusa and El Toro Loco (truck) in 2004. Finally, in 2006, Meents broke through and regained the Monster Jam freestyle championship.
Meents has several signature moves in freestyle, including high-speed "cyclone" donuts, "side surf" two-wheel driving, and roof and wing walks where he stands on the roof or wing (as on Monster Patrol) of the truck while it is still in motion. Another is Tom sticking his left hand out the window while flying through the air. Tom also has a reputation for hitting obstacles at unconventional angles and at higher speeds than other drivers, and has been criticized for the high number of rollovers which please the crowd but are sometimes seen as unnecessary.
Awards
USHRA U.S. Truck Fest Champion - 1997
USHRA World Finals Racing Champion - 2000, 2001, 2002
USHRA World Finals Freestyle Champion - 2001, 2002, co-champion 2004, 2006
See More of The Official Tom Meents Fan Site - Since I Am Already A Team Meents Member!
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