Tom Meents (2015)

Hey Tom, how's it going? This is the Taylor Swift dancing tech official. Just wanted to pop in and say good luck with the double in Foxboro!

Hi Tom! Just curious about the planning process that goes into your stunts, how much time do spend mapping things out and/or practicing them? What is the typical procedure?

If you could race something other than a monster truck, what would it be?

Hi tom! I'm a huge fan of monster jam and monster trucks in general. Watching the stream of your front-flip last weekend was incredible, and has to be the coolest thing I've ever seen. I know last year in Europe you drove Morgan's MaxD on it's CRD chassis. My question is what was that experience like in such a differently designed, rear-engined truck compared to driving the front-engined wilman style chassis you are used to?

Hey Tom, Do you like milk?

Hi Tom, long time fan. I was wondering what your thoughts were about Monster Jam and the absence of Bigfoot? is there any chance Bigfoot will ever get into the Monster Jam circuit?

Tom, Monique Hart here from Chandler, AZ! We miss you! Why don't you come to Phoenix shows anymore? The trucks sent here are the lesser known guys except for the Cretens. We don't bother going anymore :( . We want you back here like in the good ole days when there aren't 5,000 people in line for your autograph! Why don't you ever come out West anymore?

Out of all of the trucks/drivers you no longer get to do events with, who do you miss doing shows with the most?

Hey, Tom, what do you drive when you're not operating Max-D? Favorite truck/muscle car? Thanks for the AMA. Good luck this weekend!

Hi Tom, I have a couple questions about where the sport is headed:

I was a real big fan of the FS1 and #MMJ points series this year. With a little tweaking, I think it could be used across the entire sport. Do you think that's a direction Monster Jam is headed, and do you think it's a good thing?

Who will be your biggest rival after Dennis retires?

Going to miss you at Stafford again this year. I know the international expansion is a good thing, but I hope Monster Jam doesn't forget the speedways and stadiums that built it. Good luck on the double backflip Saturday, I'll have seen all 4 attempts live!

Hey Tom! I'm from New Orleans and went to the 2015 Monster Jam show and been going since 2000. 2 questions. At New Orleans this year, what happened in racing, did you have electrical issues? And why did you prefer double set coil over shocks in the rear of the truck for your frontflip?

Just saw the NHRA races in Epping NH this weekend. ..it was awesome! Any thoughts on a top fuel drag race monster truck?

Hey Tom, big fan of yours since back in the USHRA Days, back when you were driving Monster Patrol. Do you still communicate with Paul Shafer, and do you wish Feld would bring back Monster Patrol, similar how they brought back Carolina Crusher?

First of all yeay PAXTON . I have family friends from Paxton and I grew up not too far from there so I've been going to see Monster Jam just about every year since I was a kid. I was pretty excited to see you doing an AMA. My question is, what got you interested in driving a monster truck?

Hey Tom, considering all of your accomplishments in Monster Jam, what do you still want to do before calling it a career?

Who among the up and coming drivers do you think is poised to make the leap to dominate the sport in the coming years?

Hi Tom! I'm from Minnesota i've been to a alot of the events they've had the metrodome over the years. I was at the last one before they shut down for construction too. What was your most memorable experience at the Metrodome in Minneapolis Minnesota?

"Grave Who? Grave Digger? Whos That?" Do you wish Feld would bring back the Flag idea that was used in the 1980's and 2000's and as well, do you want a Points Series similar to TNT and PENDA back then, where it doesn't matter what company you run with (Monster X Tour, Jamboree Circut, Monster Jam, Monster Truck Throwdown) You run for a TRUE championship?

Hi tom, are there any new exciting things in terms of drivers, trucks, tracks and monster jam in general that you can tell us. Also is there any way we can make detroit Mi a two stop event again?

I saw the amazing front flip video! Can you take us through what was going through your mind once you hit the ramp? Also, do you have any rituals prior to big stunts like that and the double backflip attempts?

You didn't get the Guinness World Records award for the front flip, what non-motorsports Guinness World Records award would you really love to have?

Other than the scheme of course! haha

How long did you practice to perfect the front flip?

Did you start out in monster trucks or did you do other motor sports events first like drag racing, roundy round dirt track or tough truck stuff?

Hey Tom! Thanks for stopping by! You've always been a memorable driver. The Max-D (Goldberg) truck has always been my favorite. How did it feel the first time you did a cartwheel in the truck? Was it expected or just by fluke?

Hey Tom, big fan of yours and Neil's since I was a little kid. In all your years of driving either Max-D, Team Meents, Goldberg, Bulldozer, or Monster Patrol, what was the hardest hit that you ever took in your truck?

Hey Tom, you gave me a helmet at the finals in Vegas when I was 10. To this day one of the best experiences of my life! Which finals had in your opinion the best freestyle set up?

What is Robosaurus like in real life?

Hi Tom, thanks for doing this. This is going to be a pretty long post, so I understand if you don’t want to answer all of the questions. Any you do answer will be greatly appreciated.

1: What do you believe was your best performance ever?

2: Who, other than Colton, do you think has had the most impressive rookie season from the past two or three years?

3: How much use does the practice/testing facility get? I saw that there was a #MoreMonsterJam track set up there. How many of the drivers used it? Did Colton practice the backflip he did in Des Moines at all?

4: Did you cleanly land the frontflip during testing?

5: Have you ever made any practice double backflip attempts?

6: Do you think a rear engine setup would be better for the stunt truck?

7: During the double backflip special on Fox Sports 1, you said the rear steering made the second rotation difficult. Why not get rid of the rear steering on the stunt truck? You barely used it in East Rutherford.

8: If you could drive any other truck for one show, what would it be and why?

9: Do you use Rigs of Rods or any other type of simulator? If you do, do you feel like you benefit from it?

10: A few drivers have spoken out against some of Monster Jam’s decisions this year, namely fan judging and track design. Do you feel like either of these have been an issue this year? How would you improve them?

11: Which body style of Max-D do you prefer, the 2003-2012 body, the 2013 LED (Non spiked) body, or the current spiked design? Which paint scheme?

12: Do you think the hesitation by officials to use the RII is an issue at all? We see a lot of upside-down trucks with the throttles pinned.

13: What is your favorite track you’ve ever competed on?

14: Do you like the new “hybrid” arena tracks or do you prefer when there’s racing in arenas?

15: How do the BKT tires handle compared to what you used previously?

16: Why don’t you compete when you’re attempting a major stunt?

17: Think you could upgrade my seats for Foxboro? ;)

Hey Tom! I've been a fan ever since you drove Bulldozer back in 1999! So, I had a question, Back in 2000 when WCW was around and you were driving Goldberg, the truck showed up on Nitro a few times. Was that you driving or someone else? Also, good luck on the double this weekend!

Hey Tom! Did you start off your career racing anything? And at what point did you decide to switch over to monster truck driving?

What sort of changes are you going to do to the truck for the double backflip this weekend?

What are your top 3 favorite Monster Jam drivers to watch?

Hi Tom! Meeting you in Memphis this year was one of the best experiences I've had with with a monster truck driver. I've always wanted to ask if you've ever thought about bringing Goldberg back for a show or two?

Amen to that! Seriously the fact that the truck drove away after the frontflip and all that was damaged was the body is astounding!

Hello Tom! Who designed the art on your current monster truck? It's awesome :-D also what is your favourite kind of cracker/cookie?

Do you guys tour outside of North America? Has there been a push to get Europe or Australia more interested in the sport?

Hey Tom, based off of personally driving the truck or just simply seeing it compete, what do you think is currently the best handling truck on the circuit right now?

What do you think or know the next big advancement will be in the sport? Thanks for doing this ama!

I was at Eastrutherford last Saturday, you were awesome!!! How did it feel when you were in the truck rotating like that with everyone watching you, hoping to execute the front flip?

Hey Tom! What's your spirit animal?

Hi Tom, How many helmets do you go through every MJ season?!

Also, another question, why have all your attempts (Ex: 2 double backflip attempts, and front flip attempt) been at MetLife Stadium? I love getting to watch and see them, but why there and not anywhere else?

Hi Tom How are you doing? I'M A HUGE FAN of MAX-D!
1. First the Front Flip the the double Backflip what is it like in your head right now?
2. Also what is it like in the truck when your doing the flips?
3. Are you ever planning on retiring? Whats your thoughts on Dennis retiring in 2017?
4.Also another question why does your son drive Grave digger and Morgan Kane who grew up with the Andersons drives Max-D?
5. What was your favorite body concept at the world finals this year?
6. Do you think you will ever attempt a barrel roll or a double barrel roll?
7. What is your favorite stadium to go to during the season?
8. What was your favorite monster truck growing up?
9. What is your favorite truck besides Max-D?
10. What are you going to do for your 15th anniversary?
11. why when you do the double backflip the truck twists at the end?
12.Do you think they should have the world finals at different venues like the super bowl?
13. when did you start giving away your helmets?
Also one of these ears i would love to meet you!Also i would love to have your helmet=D! I Hope You Land the Double this weekend! Good luck!
Your Biggest fan Taylor

Hey Tom first off i like to say you are the most insane monster truck driver i've ever know but i gotta ask what goes on in your head that makes you do the crazy stunts you do?

Hi Tom! I'm a retired arenacross and supercross racer. Did you lean on the freestyle dirtbike backflips and front flips for inspiration on your amazing feat?

Hi Tom. I've been a fan of yours since near the end of your run with Monster Patrol. I finally had the chance to meet you at World Finals 15, which made that entire weekend (and my life). I'd attach the photo my Dad took, but I guess that I don't have it on my phone.

I just have a few questions about you and monster trucks in general:

1. If you had to guess, who will be the next driver to Double Down at the World Finals?
2. On that note, who's due to win their first championship?
3. Is there any possibility that Team Meents will be brought back, even if it's just for a Finals encore? I loved that truck
4. What was the most spectacular crash of your career? Because this one is often overlooked, but it was wild.
5. Is there a possibility that the World Finals field will expand even more, or is 32 trucks in the main show the max Feld is willing to do?
6. Who drove Doomsday at the World Finals? My Dad and I are convinced that it was Pablo Huffaker. Whoever it was drove too well to be a Vegas rookie... and it was a little odd that Pablo's Digger was there but he wasn't at the pit party.
7. Has FELD ever considered involving old school trucks as a side act, like Checkered Flag did for their Silverdome shows? Obviously racing leafers in, let's say, Vegas is a recipe for disaster, but just having them crush some cars during the downtime would be interesting.

Thanks in advance for taking the time to answer these questions. I look forward to seeing you in Vegas next year.

I grew up playing Monster Truck Madness on Windows 95! Ever played that one or any of the other Monster Truck Madness games?

If you didn't drive monster trucks for a living, what would your profession be?

Hi Mr Meents!

Just wanted to say thank you to you and all of the Monster Jam drivers/crew. A year ago we took my son to Ocala, Fl (Sadly, you weren't there) to our first MJ event and it was incredible. The staff was very friendly and we got free pit passes to meet the drivers and see the trucks before the show! Thanks for providing such a great, family friendly experience!

My question: Other than Max D, Who do you think has the coolest truck design?

What's your favorite day of the week?

Tom! Huge fan, seen you in Toronto several times and you never disappoint, especially with the backflip this year!
Congrats on landing the double too!!

My question is if you could race anyone, past or present, who would it be?

Another question I was going to ask but forgot, back in 2003 the season wasn't broadcasted except the World Finals and Those late 2003 events for the 2004 season. But, a video on YouTube shows you doing the "first" sidewall in Atlanta. How was that experience when it happened out of nowhere?

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Is there anyway to get a former college football player and current firefighter a chance to get out on the test track and see what he can do?

I know nothing about this stuff, but it looks pretty intense! Good luck to you.

Who are your top 5 favorite bands?

Is it expensive to keep fixing the art on the truck if it gets ruined after each performance? and you can't go wrong with Oreos! you do dip them in milk right? because it's like tradition to dip them.

Do you have a favorite spot in Las Vegas that you enjoy during the MJ World Finals?

Is there any place you've never performed at, but always wanted to?