Thunder Nationals
Encyclopedia
Thunder Nationals is the name of a monster truck
series run by the USHRA
. The series primarily consists of monster truck racing and freestyle in indoor arena
s. The events typically have only two parallel sets of cars on an empty concrete floor as a race track. The series was once independent but was combined with the USHRA in the middle of the 1990s. Traditionally, the series featured a core group of independent trucks, such as Virginia Giant, Black Stallion
, and Eradicator; however, recent changes to make the events more like the flagship Monster Jam
series have included the introduction of Monster Jam regulars, like Grave Digger
and Maximum Destruction, to Thunder Nationals events.
The typical format of the T-Nats shows is a four contest event consisting of:
Monster truck
A monster truck is a pickup truck, typically styled after pickup trucks' bodies, modified or purposely built with extremely large wheels and suspension...
series run by the USHRA
United States Hot Rod Association
The United States Hot Rod Association is an organization owned by Feld Entertainment that markets various motorsports. These include monster trucks as well as motocross, quad racing and others...
. The series primarily consists of monster truck racing and freestyle in indoor arena
Arena
An arena is an enclosed area, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theater, musical performances, or sporting events. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectators. The key feature of an arena is that the event space is the...
s. The events typically have only two parallel sets of cars on an empty concrete floor as a race track. The series was once independent but was combined with the USHRA in the middle of the 1990s. Traditionally, the series featured a core group of independent trucks, such as Virginia Giant, Black Stallion
Black Stallion (truck)
Black Stallion is a monster truck that races on the USHRA circuit and for other promoters. Black Stallion started out as a stock 1982 Ford F350 back in 1982, owned and modified by Michael Vaters. The first modification was a homemade 12" lift kit, since such kits were unavailable at the time...
, and Eradicator; however, recent changes to make the events more like the flagship Monster Jam
Monster Jam
Monster Jam is a live motorsport event tour and television show operated by Feld Entertainment. The series is sanctioned under the umbrella of the United States Hot Rod Association and takes place primarily in the United States and around the world...
series have included the introduction of Monster Jam regulars, like Grave Digger
Grave Digger (truck)
Grave Digger is the name of a team of monster trucks currently racing in the USHRA Monster Jam series. There are several Grave Diggers being driven by different drivers to allow them to make appearances at more events, but their flagship driver is creator Dennis Anderson...
and Maximum Destruction, to Thunder Nationals events.
The typical format of the T-Nats shows is a four contest event consisting of:
- wheelie competition
- straight line racing
- donut contest
- ending with free style