It was just last week Scott Hartsock driving Gun Slinger brought home a well deserved freestyle win in his home state of Florida at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, and again this past weekend he tried to dominate the competition and bring home another Monster Jam trophy.
During racing Scott piloted Gun Slinger into Round-1 Joe Sylvester in Bad Habit. Fast acceleration and experience allowed Hartsock to knock out Joe Sylvester, advancing Gun Slinger into Round-2.
Randy Moore and War Wizard paired up against Gun Slinger. Good buddies outside of monster truck racing, both wanted the win to show who’s boss. Hartsock raced hard and took advantage of Randy Moore’s driving ability to fly past the finish line with a victory, advancing Gun Slinger into the Monster Jam semi-finals.
Semi-Finals came down to Maximum Destruction defeating Black Stallion, and Gun Slinger taking on veteran Dennis Anderson and Grave Digger. Dennis, on a winning streak all night, was too tough to tame in Orlando and scored a win over Scott in a very close finish that was fast paced. Both drivers were gunning for the win, and wanted to go into the finals, but it would be Anderson narrowly defeating Hartsock, scoring Hartsock 3rd place overall in racing competition.
Tampa rocked for Scott in freestyle, and he was hoping for the same in Orlando. Starting his only a few trucks into freestyle, Scott knew he had to work hard to clinch another freestyle win. After several jumps the right front tire would blow, making it very difficult for Scott to perform at a level that would be competitive against the big dogs. A high-velocity donut finished up his run, but not before tipping the good ole’ Gun Slinger over on her lid in front of a sold out crowd.
This coming weekend the team prepares to invade Tampa once again at Raymond James Stadium to rip it up in front of tens of thousands of fans. We’ll have a full report early next week!
Scott Hartsock and Gun Slinger rocked the house that Tampa built this past weekend inside Raymond James Stadium. The impressive monster truck field would be a rather difficult field of trucks to beat, but Hartsock not only ended up in the semi-finals, barely taking a lose to Blue Thunder, but would go into freestyle and walk away with a well deserved and impressive win. Normally Scott dominates Florida events in racing, however the new shock setup for 2010 has proved successful to allow Scott to air it out more and land softer. Next up the team invades the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida on January 30th.
The following text is courtesy of MonsterJam.com.
Saturday 7: 30 p.m. - Native Floridian Scott Hartsock’s high flying performance won freestyle in Gunslinger after Dennis Anderson, who treats Florida like a second home, drove Grave Digger to the racing victory in the first of two Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam events scheduled for this winter at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
With the raucous crowd fired up from the start when Anderson rolled his Digger truck over in introductions, the icon proved that the rollover caused only body damage by flying around the Chicago style oval to post the fastest qualifying time and grab the number one seed in the race bracket. As Anderson marched through the upper part of the bracket into the Championship Race the bottom of the bracket also held true to form with Linsey Weenk, the second fastest in time trials, powering his Built Ford Tough Blue Thunder into the final race to challenge Grave Digger. The high profile pair conducted a classic Championship Race with Anderson beating Weenk by about a truck length for the popular racing victory.
Early on in freestyle rookie Dana Creech had put on the most impressive run in the Monster Mutt, the former Pro Quad champion vaulting into the hot seat with a high flying run, an outstandind show for a driver in only his second week in competition. The youngster held the top spot until Hartsock roared onto the floor in Gunslinger, announcing his presence with a huge leap right out of the gate. Not only did Hartsock fill the regulation :90 with the biggest air of the night, but stayed huge in the bonus time, and even after filling both clocks continued to hit big move after big move for almost another two minutes just for the fans after all the scores were in, a wild slap wheelie into the corner of the stadium ending the run with the crowd giving Hartsock a standing ovation and the Gunslinger knocking Monster Mutt out of the number one position. The Grave Digger team discovered than Anderson’s truck had broken the left rear axle in racing but with not enough time to change it, Anderson came to the floor with only three wheel drive. Even with the truck broken Anderson turned in a fantastic freestyle, the damage limiting his ability to hit huge air but not his intesnity or his ability to rock the crowd. Grave Digger may have had a shot at the win even broken Anderson’s run was that good, but he flipped the truck just as bonus time started, and not getting any bonus points cost him a shot a the Double Down trophy. Reigning World Freestyle Champion Damon Bradshaw came out last in the competition, but had trouble getting through the remnants of a smashed motor home on the floor, something from that wreckage damaging the Air Force Afterburner and ending the champ’s run just half way through regulation, leaving Hartsock and Gunslinger on top as the Tampa freestyle winner.
For the first time in the 26 year history of the Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam in Tampa a second show has been added to this season, with the superstars competing again in Raymond James Stadium on February 6th.
RACING RESULTS
Fast qualifier - Grave Digger
1st round - Grave Digger bye run due to Air Force Afterburner’s broken rear end; Predator def Monster Mutt; Ground Pounder def War Wizard; Gunslinger def Instigator; Superman def Cult Energy Activator; Blue Thunder def Pouncer (Monster Mutt advanced to round two due to Predator’s flat tire)
2nd round - Grave Digger def Monster Mutt; Gunslinger def Ground Pounder; Blue Thunder def Superman (Superman advanced to semifinals as fastest 2nd round loser)
Semifinals - Grave Digger def Superman; Blue Thunder def Gunslinger
CHAMPIONSHIP RACE - GRAVE DIGGER DEFEATED BLUE THUNDER
Atlanta was the kick start to a season of air for Gun Slinger. After Atlanta the team headed had a long haul up to Detroit’s Ford Field for a night of Monster Jam action against over a dozen other trucks. Scott Hartsock was cocked, locked, and ready to rock and proved he has what it takes to be a freestyle champion.
Racing witnessed Hartsock defeat Michigan native Jim Koehler in Avenger, only to be knocked out by Koehler’s team mate Chris Bergeron in Brutus during Round 2.
Freestyle would be another story for Scott, with some slight changes to the shock setup, he rocked out in Detroit city finishing 4th out of 14 trucks and tying with Back Draft for a score of 22.
Scott Hartsock and the Gun Slinger crew arrived in Atlanta early Friday to prepare for the ultimate battle against 13 other Monster Trucks that would all be competing live on SPEED CHANNEL Saturday night. Everything on the truck was thoroughly checked over. The new shock setup was tweaked and modified in preperation for the massive launch ramps being constructed inside the Georgia Dome, and on Friday night the team went to sleep, ready to rock first thing Saturday morning.
During the drivers meeting it was announced that the Georgia Dome was sold out, which has been a tradition for nearly 5 years in a row. Not only would 70,000+ monster truck fans be awarded an amazing Monster Jam event in Atlanta, but those not able to be in Atlanta could watch Monster Jam live on SPEED CHANNEL beginning at 7PM until 10PM. The drivers were excited, and the Monster Jam staff was thrilled.
At the start of the Monster Jam Built Ford Tough Party in the Pits, the folks from Hedman Headers arrived in style with two new headers for the good ole’ Gun Slinger. In front of fans getting autographs and meeting Scott Hartsock, the Hedman Headers crew swapped out the trucks old set of headers for new, state of the art Hedman Headers.
Also during the pit party Gun Slinger Racing announced a new relationship with Miller, world leaders in the best quality welding equipment made. The teams shop will be outfitted with Miller equipment that will make life easier when repairing Gun Slinger after each weekend of action.
Before the team knew it, the Monster Jam event was underway and action started at 7:12PM with the largest number of trucks all coming out for several parade laps around the Georgia Dome floor.
Gun Slinger entered into qualifying and did well. Ending up in the middle of the pack. Hartsock would end up going against the corporate sponsored Advance Auto Parts Grinder monster truck, taking a lose only by feet after the shock setup lowered going into the final turn, but Hartsock still was able to pull off the fastest loser time, allowing him to return if another truck broke in Round-2 of racing. Sadly, all trucks returned in the second round.
Hartsock and the team prepared for freestyle. Constantly adjusting the shock setup, Hartsock planned to go out and dominate freestyle. One of the first trucks out to battle it out against 13 others, Gun Slinger quickly surpassed the previous monster trucks that freestyled. At the end of the night Gun Slinger and Scott Hartsock sat at the top of the freestyle points chart through 9 other monster freestyle performances, finishing 6th in freestyle overall, and raising the level of competition early on with an amazing, high-flying freestyle run.
“The new shock setup is amazing. We’ve been tweaking it since last summer when we installed the new shocks on the rear axle, then several months later we installed the shocks on the front axle. Adjustments each weekend of action allowed us to come to Atlanta with one of the most softest landing trucks in action right now. When I was launching off the ramps tonight each landing was very soft, it felt like I was landing on pillows, even though I was in a 10,000 pound monster truck 40 feet in the air,” said Scott Hartsock, owner and driver of Gun Slinger following his freestyle performance in Atlanta.
Next up the team makes a long haul up to the city of horsepower, Detroit, Michigan. Gun Slinger and Scott Hartsock will arrive Friday morning at Ford Field in Detroit where they plan to dominate racing, and clean house in freestyle.
Continue following Gun Slinger by stopping by here each week at www.GunSlinger4×4.com!
Hot Wheels and Gun Slinger Racing are proud to announce the teams brand new paint scheme for 2010. In conjunction with Hot Wheels, the new paint scheme was designed to look exactly like the teams new Hot Wheels Monster Jam toys in 1:64th scale and 1:24th scale die-casts available throughout the United States at all major retail stores and at Monster Jam events where Gun Slinger will be competing.
Aside from the new paint scheme includes a few additions and changes to the truck itself. Prior to 2010 the truck ran a King coil-over suspension. In 2010 the team will run this same combination in addition to four King bypass shocks, giving the truck a smoother landing allowing Scott Hartsock to jump higher, fly longer, and land better.
The team has also removed the 557 C.I. SVO Ford Blown Alcohol Injected engine and remounted. When questioned, Scott Hartsock refused to say exactly why he moved it, and how far he moved it.
“You’ll just have to guess what we did to the engines placement. We know it’ll greatly increase our ability to be a top performer at Monster Jam events in 2010. Just wait, we’re locked, cocked, and ready to rock come Atlanta,” said an enthusiastic Scott Hartsock, owner and driver of Gun Slinger.
New Schroeder sway bars have also been installed to the front and rear end of Gun Slinger.
Gun Slinger and Scott Hartsock will be deputing the new paint scheme this weekend in Atlanta, Georgia at the Georgia Dome in front of a sold out audience, and live on SPEED Channel for the first time ever.
“We’re very excited about being featured live on SPEED Channel. We want to run well and give to our sponsors something they’ve deserved for years. Now they (our sponsors) and all of our fans can watch us live on television taking on 13 other top-contenders all gunning to be top dogs and make their mark for being worthy of competing at Monster Jam World Finals XI in Las Vegas,” continued Scott Hartsock.
After Atlanta the team will make its way to Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, then head back down to Florida for three weekends of action in Tampa, Orlando, and again in Tampa. Gun Slinger will then make its way to Charlotte, North Carolina and then back down to Florida to compete at Land Shark Stadium in Miami, and Jacksonville Municipal Stadium in Jacksonville to finish up February. Biloxi, Mississippi will be the final stop for Scott Hartsock and Gun Slinger.
Gun Slinger is sponsored by Precision Shaft Technologies (PST), M30, Hedman Hedders, JE Pistons, Oliver Connecting Rods, KING Off-Road Racing Shocks, FK Rod Ends, Central Florida Machine & Speed, and Garner’s Towing Service.
Keep checking www.gunslinger4×4.com for weekly updates this Monster Jam season!
Scott Hartsock has been on a roll this Monster Jam season. With several wins under his belt, including three in Charlotte last weekend, Scott was cocked, locked, and ready to rock tonight in Tampa at Raymond James Stadium.
Qualifying with a Top-5 position, Scott went into Round-1 racing against Mopar Magic. The Roundy-round course proved to be too much for Mopar Magic, as Scott was firing on all cylinders clinching the win and advancing to Round-2.
In one of the most amazing photo finishes of 2009, Scott paired up against Dennis Anderson in Grave Digger for Round-2 racing. Tampa fans were convinced Gun Slinger grabbed the win, but USHRA track officials examined the finish multiple times. It would end up being Grave Digger taking the win due to Scott getting a little out of control at the end of the run.
Semi-Finals Scott Hartsock returned! Being fast loser has its advantages, and Scott was ready to come back and whoop ass on Escalade. George Balhan was done for from the beginning as Gun Slinger pulled a power wheelie off the start line eyeing the finish line with his sight.
Monster Jam Finals paired Grave Digger against Gun Slinger. Scott was prepared to do whatever it would take to clinch the racing win in his hometown state, and grab a win from 2-time Monster Jam World Finals champion Dennis Anderson. The race was extended to 5 hits over the crush cars, and each hit Scott edged out Dennis, finishing with a well deserved racing win.
Gun Slinger was first up for Monster Jam freestyle, with a solid run filled with power wheelies, donuts, and lots of air, the truck ended with 23 seconds left on the clock before going on its roof after hitting a bus stack obstacle. Scott would score a 16.
Welcome to the new and official online homepage of Gun Slinger and Scott Hartsock! Are you cocked, locked, and ready to rock!? You better be! Enjoy our new website!
Miami was rocked this past weekend as Monster Jam returned to Pro Player Stadium for one night of action packed goodness. A record turnout for Monster Jam’s Part in the Pits gave a good indicator fans were ready to see Team Gun Slinger and 10 other trucks do battle in racing and freestyle.
Qualifying started out with Grave Digger grabbing the honors with the nights fastest run of 30.75 on the three-hit course. Grave Digger quickly gave up the spot to Glen Logan Jr. in Cowboy with a run of 30.53 seconds. Glen wouldn’t be able to hold down the run for long as Blue Thunder laid down a run of 29.04 seconds, nearly a second and a half faster. Scott Hartsock behind the wheel of Gun Slinger laid down a run of 31.65, qualifying in the middle of the pack.
Round-1 action witnessed Glen Logan whoop up on Randy Moore in War Wizard, who suffered mechanical problems. Glen advanced into Round-2 against Mopar Magic, but issues plagued the truck from returning. Scott Hartsock in Gun Slinger filled the spot and in a close battle lost the round in a photo finish. Not out for the night, Scott Hartsock returned once again as fast loser in the Semi-Finals, but Blue Thunder, with quicker runs each round, edged out Gun Slinger giving Scott Hartsock a 3rd place finish for racing in Miami.
Destroyer ended his freestyle run with a single digit of 7 after all three judges threw up their scores. Glen Logan Jr. and Team Gun Slinger made repairs to Cowboy during racing, allowing him to return for freestyle where he swept the lead from Destroyer with a healthy score of 19.
Scott Hartsock in Gun Slinger whooped up on every truck before him, ending it with a massive and hard hit flip, badly damaging the Florida native’s truck. The judges laid down a score of 18 as the fans inside Pro Player Stadium booed in disgust of the judges scoring.
After several hours at the post autograph session, the team tired down and prepared for the drive back to Bushnell, Florida. They’ve already completed repairs to both trucks, and will be ready to rock this coming weekend.
Miami was rocked this past weekend as Monster Jam returned to Pro Player Stadium for one night of action packed goodness. A record turnout for Monster Jam’s Part in the Pits gave a good indicator fans were ready to see Team Gun Slinger and 10 other trucks do battle in racing and freestyle.
