The Toughest Monster Truck Tour made a stop in Rio Rancho Friday night.
Six monster trucks and a freestyle motocross team competed and performed stunts for an excited crowd of about 3,000 at the Rio Rancho Events Center.
The night kicked off with a Pit Party that allowed fans on the floor to get an up-close look at the trucks and meet drivers.
The show was the debut of Maximus, a Roman soldier-themed truck, but the truck was towed off before the first competition began.
Dirt Crew, Dozer, Tailgator, Buckshot and Rat Attack competed in racing, wheelie and freestyle competitions as the big crowd cheered them on.
The night had an inauspicious start with Maximus being towed off and Dirt Crew flipping over on its first wheelie attempt. But Buckshot brought the crowd to its feet with a back wheelie, and the high-flying motocross team wowed the fans.
“Your energy is awesome, and we’re looking for that,” Buckshot driver Brandon Budd said to the crowd before the event. “The louder you get the better we can hear you in the trucks — if you’re loud enough. To see you standing up, clapping your hands, waving your flags, stomping your feet … I promise you, I’ll send this thing to the moon.”
The show isn’t over, though. There’s another show at 6 p.m. Saturday with another Pit Party from 4-5 p.m at the Events Center. Tickets are available online.
