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Photo Essay: Monster Jam thunders through Royal Farms Arena

Costa Swanson

Monster Jam rolled though Royal Farms Arena this weekend, with super-sized trucks soaring through the air with hopes of getting one spot closer to qualifying for World  Finals XVII in Las Vegas next month.

After two hours and seven events, Bari Musawwir’s Zombie won the Baltimore tour stop, outshining Jared Eichelberger’s Max-D (Maximum Destruction), Brianna Mahon’s Scooby-Doo, Mark List’s El Toro Loco, Aaron Basl’s NEA (New Earth Authority), Daron Basl’s Monster Mutt Rottweiler, Cynthia Gauthier’s Monster Mutt Dalmation and Cole Venard’s Grave Digger.

The drivers and their trucks, which are about 12 feet tall, weight six tons,  have 66-inch wheels and 1,500 horsepower, are in the stretch run of a competition in they tour the country to compete for points, much like in NASCAR, where drivers vie for points to qualify to compete for the overall title.

Here’s a look at what of a crowd of about 8,000 witnessed on Saturday:

??'s Monster Mutt Rottweiler. (All photos by Costa Swanson)
Daron Basl’s Monster Mutt Rottweiler. (All photos by Costa Swanson)
The eight drivers competed in a speedster competition, which was won by Cole Venard's Grave Digger. Above, Scooby-Doo was eliminated in the semifinals.
The eight drivers competed in a speedster competition, which was won by Cole Venard’s Grave Digger. Above, Brianna Mahon’s  Scooby-Doo was eliminated in the semifinals.
Cynthia Gauthier's Monster Mutt Dalmation won the donut competition by spinning in circles.
Cynthia Gauthier’s Monster Mutt Dalmatian won the donut competition by spinning in circles.
Driver's also competed in an ATV competition, which was won by "s Zombie.
Driver’s also competed in an ATV competition, which was won by Bari Musawwir’s Zombie.
' Scooby-Doo.
Brianna Mahon’s Scooby-Doo.
Cynthia Gauthier's Monster Mutt Dalmation is in seventh in the overall standings.
Cynthia Gauthier’s Monster Mutt Dalmatian is in seventh in the overall standings.
Aaron Basl's NEA (New Earth Authority) is in sixth place in the overall standings.
Aaron Basl’s NEA (New Earth Authority) is in sixth place in the overall standings.
Cole Venard and Grave Digger is in first place in the overall standings with 70, points, 11.5 ahead of ?and Zombie.
Cole Venard and Grave Digger is in first place in the overall standings, ahead of Bari Musawwir and Zombie.
Did you think a couple of cars could stop a monster truck?
Did you think a couple of cars could stop a monster truck?
It's a bird, it's a plane - no, it's El Toro Loco.
It’s a bird, it’s a plane – no, it’s El Toro Loco.