Bristol Resident Plays Starring Role in Monster Truck Madness at Bristol Dragway

By Allen Gregory
Sports Writer / Bristol Herald Courier
Published: June 14, 2008

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Randy Moore was surrounded by kids - laughing, jumping and screaming kids.
It’s become a routine scene for the free-spirited Bristol native. In fact, kids of all ages are attracted to Moore and his 1,700-horsepower creation dubbed the War Wizard.

Despite rain earlier in the day, a large crowd watched the 44-year-old Moore headline Saturday’s first Monster Truck Madness program at Bristol Dragway.
Moore, son of Bristol Motor Speedway co-founder Carl Moore, has appeared at major venues around the globe. His latest stop was special. 

“It’s awesome to have a monster truck show right here in Bristol….just five minutes from my shop,” Moore said. “The growth of this sport has been phenomenal. I think it can grow here.”

And Moore has played a major role in that growth with regular appearances on the popular Speed channel show Monster Jam.

“I’ve been doing this sport for seven years and things just get more crazy every year,” Moore said. “It’s been a fun ride.”

Along with his three-person crew, Moore competes every other weekend during the summer.

“Then we’re gone somewhere every weekend from December to March,’’ Moore said. “We travel to big venues like the Georgia Dome and our events are sold-out with crowds of around 70,000. 

“I was in Cardiff, Wales last week performing before 65,000 fans. We’re heading to Belgium in two weeks, and the next five weeks of our European tour is already sold out. Folks in Europe going crazy for monster trucks just like they are here.”

The allure of monster trucks is basic. The massive machines are loud and powerful, plus they have colorful paint schemes depict various characters.

In addition to War Wizard, Saturday’s show at Bristol Dragway included the Prowler, Lone Eagle, Predator and Pouncer trucks owned by Allen Pezo of Brentwood, Tenn.

Blake Gray, a seven-year old resident of Nickelsville, Va., was among many kids rushing through the entrance gates Saturday.

“Blake watches the monster trucks on TV and collects them,” said Sam McConnell, Gray’s grandfather. “He just enjoys everything about these trucks.”

Nick and Christopher O’Quinn, age nine and 11, came to Thunder Valley from Haysi, Va. with their mother and father.

“We would like to see more event like this in Bristol,” said the father of Nick and Christopher, before being rushed along his by kids. “It’s a good way for families to have fun at a reasonable price, especially compared to NASCAR.”

Admission to Saturday’s program was $15 for adults and $5 for kids age 6-15. Kids five-under were admitted free.

Moore caught the speed bug at age 16 with mud racing. He then turned to sand drags, Pro Modifieds, and National Hot Rod Association Pro Stocks.

In terms of the awe factor and fan appeal, Moore savors his current role as the master of a monster who rules on 66-inch tall tires.

“It’s awesome from my point of view, and what’s really cool is the fan following,” said Moore, whose son and daughter compete in junior dragsters with War Wizard themes. “The kids are what make it so much fun, and I hope my son follows me in the sport.”

Along with various individual awards and event wins, the resume for Moore includes an entry into the Guinness Book of World Records for the fastest speed (84.3 miles per hour) in a monster truck. Moore established that time three years ago, and hopes to eventually top the 100-mph mark.

As for future of his radical sport, Moore feels there are no limits.

“Just like in NASCAR, our sport has evolved so much,” Moore said. “We’ve got high horsepower motors, full-blown tube chassis, unbelievable shocks, and all the safety equipment that other forms of racing have.

“And War Wizard is a brand. We’ve got four or five toys in the stores across the country along with a Hot Wheels marketing program.”

It adds up to a good time for this lifelong motorsports buff.

“I grew up going to circle tracks with my father, and just like these kids, I used to put big tires on my little cars as a kid,” Moore said.
“To do this as a living and watch the sport grow, that’s awesome.”

According to Bristol Motor Speedway director of media and public relations Lori Worley, Saturday’s program is part of a drive to attract a broader base of fans to both BMS and Bristol Dragway.

“We’re trying to have a variety of different events for families at a reasonable price,” Worley said. “The Night of Fire was a big success a couple weeks ago, and we’re definitely looking more to do more events like [Monster Truck Madness].

“Our goal is to get new folks out here to see what we’re all about and to be busy every weekend of the year. We’ve pretty much got that covered now.”

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