Randy Moore to headline Bristol Monster Truck Madness event


By Allen Gregory

July 28, 2010

BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Randy Moore controls a monster.

It roars with an 1800 horsepower engine, climbs 15 feet into the sky, and soars 20 feet through the air. It makes kids scream and adults drool.

Moore’s exotic 10,000 pound monster, known as the War Wizard, will be one of the starring attractions of tonight’s Thompson Metal Monster Truck Madness program at Bristol Motor Speedway.

"It’s going to be a blast," Moore said.

War Wizard and his rivals have earned a cult following through the long-running SPEED Channel show – Monster Jam. This will be second year for the Monster Truck event at BMS.

In addition to War Wizard, the lineup of trucks is scheduled to include iconic names such as Avenger, Brutus, Equalizer, Rammunition, Tailgator, Raminator and Bad Habit.

"This is the best lineup of trucks we’ve ever had in Bristol, and the Monster Challenge folks are building one heck of a track for us," said Moore, who has also competed in Monster Truck events at Bristol Dragway. "Now that the infield is bigger at BMS, we will have more room to operate."

An event dubbed as the Monster Truck Madness Pit Party begins at 6 tonight on the infield of the speedway. Fans can meet the drivers, get autographs and pose for pictures next to the trucks. The program begins at 7 p.m., with drivers competing in both head-to-head racing and freestyle competition.

Moore will be in the spotlight. The charismatic 46-year-old Bristol, Tenn., native is the son of Bristol Motor Speedway co-founder Carl Moore.

"I get to run all over the country and people see me on television all the time, but the people I grew up with never get to see us perform," Moore said.

A former drag racer, Moore has been following the Monster Truck circuit for eight years. He’s refined his technique while devising new tricks to entice fans.

"I would have loved to have stayed in drag racing, but you’ve got to have a corporate sponsor to do that," Moore said. "This has been more lucrative."

Moore has appeared before adoring crowds of nearly 70,000 in Europe, has a marketing contract with the Hot Wheels company, and has been included in two episodes of the Monster Jam Video game.

"I will never forget when my first diecast truck came out," Moore said. "That was a pretty cool feeling."

Moore’s War Wizard is now available in the toy section of major retail stores across the country.

For Moore, one of the appeals of the Monster Truck genre lies with the simple shock and awe factor. For example, the tires on the War Wizard are 63 inches tall and 44 inches wide. When the engine revs up, the sound reverberates across the BMS grandstands.

"I really enjoy being around the kids," Moore said. "You can see the excitement in their eyes when they see and hear our trucks."

Since the early 1990s, Moore has served as a spokesman for the Race Against Drugs organization. A large RAD insignia adorns the side of his colorful Willy’s Coupe.

"The Monster Jam venue provides a great platform to reach kids because of all the children," said Moore, who also visits a variety of school groups. "The truck gets their attention, and then it is up to me to deliver a message of living a healthy and drug-free lifestyle."

From Quincy, Ill., to Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Moore has competed in six straight weekend events and posted five victories.

On Wednesday afternoon, Moore took time to meet with media types and examine the course at BMS, which features 20 cars and two buses.

"We work harder for this race than anywhere," Moore said. "You always want to do well in your hometown."

With his drag racing background and eye-catching paint scheme, Moore has been one of the standard-bearers of his sport. In 2005, he earned a spot into the Guinness Book of World Records with his speed of 84.382-mph. That speed broke the 1999 record of 69.4 mph, set by Dan Runte in the Bigfoot truck.

And Moore is preparing a second version of the War Wizard, which will be used in match races. Kingsport’s T.G. Short, who currently serves as Moore’s engine tuner, will serve as the driver.

Moore’s plans to wow fans tonight with his signature moves, including the "slap wheelie."

"We’re gonna win the freestyle event and race, and we’re gonna get fans excited," Moore said. "This is my home track, so we have to step it up."

Tonight’s program will also include a performance by the Team FMX freestyle motocross team, a junk car burn down and a fireworks show.

Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the gate.

 agregory@bristolnews.com | Twitter: @Greg_BHCSports | (276) 645-2544

Keywords: war wizard, randy moore


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