The Love for Monster Trucks Is Still Strong in El Paso, Texas

If there's one thing El Paso, Texas loves, it's the sight of seeing giant metal monsters fly through the air and crush everything in their path. Of course I'm talking about monster trucks! I've mentioned that I've loved monster trucks my entire life. But I'm not the only one either; the love for monster trucks in El Paso dates back all the way to the 1980s.

When did monster trucks first come to El Paso, Texas in the 80s?

One of the earliest moments of a monster truck show being filmed in El Paso, dates back to 1989 when TNT's Monster Truck Challenge came to film episodes at the Sunland Park Racetrack. They did 2 races on June 2 & June 3 & you can see each episode in their entirety here.

That love for monster trucks grew stronger in El Paso in the 90s

Once the 90s rolled around, people would see the monster trucks at a bigger venue. This time it was the UTEP Sun Bowl Stadium at the University of Texas at El Paso.

One of the first times that a Monster Jam event in El Paso was shown on tv was actually during the ESPN 2's Inside Monster Jam in 1997. During the Jacksonville episode, they showed highlights from El Paso's show inside the Sun Bowl Stadium.

They got footage of the stadium, the pit party & even some of the local newscasters from back in the day. Love the shot of the KVIA ABC-7 microphone...

Favorites like Grave Digger & Monster Patrol gave the Sun Bowl one heck of a show for the fans. You can see the El Paso section from the Jacksonville episode starting at the 10 minute mark.

And once the 2000s rolled around, El Paso, Texas couldn't get enough of monster trucks

After Monster Jam made its appearance at the Sun Bowl, it's been a yearly tradition for them to come there every time they arrived in El Paso. The very first televised episode OF Monster Jam from El Paso was March 1, 2008 (my 15th birthday) on the Speed channel.

Ever since then, El Paso has appeared on tv regularly on Monster Jam as evidence by the highlights from 2017 all the way to 2023 that have made it onto their official YouTube channel.

The best thing I can say is that if you know someone who wants to go to a monster truck show, take them. Especially if they're a kid. Once they see these giant, beautiful machines up close, they will never forget it.

I would know...

That love is still strong as an adult today.

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