A childhood love of trucks and driving with the assistance of his father was the driving force behind Tyler Menninga, driver of Grave Digger, a Monster Truck from the Monster Jam coming to the Royal Farms Arena this September 4th, 5th, and 6th in Baltimore, Maryland.
Tyler is a high energy, fun filled kinda guy and that personality is busting out everywhere he goes. This man was born to drive and when you meet him you can feel it in your bones! Tyler credited his dad for his career getting him on any ties they could find to have fun! He says his family is his backbone – the ones that keep him going, as he isn’t married and has no kids (ladies here’s your chance!). In addition to his dad his “mom, sister and Grandmother are just as supportive but in different ways” says the driver of the big famous truck! He makes it home a couple of days a week and as for the other days… well as you can imagine he’s on the road going from place to place for competition.
When you ask Tyler what his favorite part is about driving Grave Digger and engaging in this thrilling sport loved by families all over the world he’s quick to say, “freestyle!” It is where Tyler shines the most and let out his creative driving juices!
Monster Jam comes to town every year if you’d like to see the show in person I highly recommend it! Wondering about his claim to fame in Charm City Baltimore..? Grave Digger driven by Tyler, performed a complete back flip at our home town venue! This feat is one that is extremely difficult and few are able to successfully perform this stunt! Ask yourself what would you do if you performed a one of a kind stunt at the Royal Farms Arena and you wanted to celebrate? Well, you’d go out and have some Chesapeake Bay crabs of course. He wondered why Marylanders raved about crabs and well…. coming from Iowa he’d never heard much about them but now he’s hooked! And…. what a way to celebrate – hometown style!
When Tyler is working he sometimes performs stunts in up to 30 different venues in a season. He’s so busy that when I asked him what he does for fun when he’s back home he laughed and said, “laundry, errands and chores.” Good boy Tyler…! His contract to drive Grave Digger is annually and he “hopes to drive as long as he possibly can.”
Good luck Tyler and I wish you and Grave Digger all the best!
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