hankster
03-25-2005, 11:57 AM
WILKES-BARRE, PA (March 21) – Driving the Traxxas T-Maxx™ monster truck with his family and friends in the stands definitely brings out the best in John Seasock.
The Frackville, PA, native thrilled the United States Hot Rod Association Monster Jam® fans who packed Wilkes-Barre’s Wachovia Arena last weekend, winning two of the four racing competitions.
“We had a great weekend,” Seasock said. “We won two races, and it was especially gratifying with so many people we know coming out and supporting us. It’s a great feeling; I’m really happy to perform that well in our last indoor event of the year.”
Seasock, who won races on successive February weekends in University Park, PA, and Roanoke, VA, drove the T-Maxx to victory in the Saturday night and Sunday races. He defeated Eradicator®, driven by former teammate Andy Slifko of Pottsville, PA, in both finals.
Seasock showed exceptional class when he dedicated Sunday’s victory to the memory of John Blaney, Jr. John Blaney, Sr., and Jackie Kmetz, a brother of John, Jr., were track officials Sunday afternoon, the first time they worked together on the anniversary of John Junior’s passing.
“We’re all family in the monster truck industry: the drivers, the crews and the officials,” Seasock said. “One of the track officials from this area, John Blaney, Jr., passed away a few years ago, so I dedicated the race in his honor after I won. It was a very emotional day.”
Seasock and his sons, J.R. and Kyle, left home a day early so they could display the T-Maxx in Pittson, PA, Thursday.
“We had a great time displaying the T-Maxx at the Advance Auto Parts store,” Seasock said. “We really enjoyed meeting the fans and displaying the T-Maxx monster truck.”
Seasock and the T-Maxx were competitive against the world-class competition throughout the weekend, but saved their best for last.
“We didn’t win Friday night, but we knew we were on the right track,” Seasock said. “The surface was really tacky and (eventual winner) Carl Van Horn in Grave Digger® got the better of us in the semifinals. We did a little better Saturday afternoon. We finished fourth in the Wheelie Contest, then we had a blast in Freestyle and tied American Guardian® for second place.
“We really opened it up Saturday night. We beat Andy in the finals. Saturday night’s show was phenomenal. All the freestyles were world-class. Every driver did an outstanding job and the trucks were so great, drivers were cheering for each other.”
It was more of the same for Seasock and the T-Maxx Sunday: displays, autographs and victories.
“We had a super Party in the Pits Sunday before we raced,” Seasock said. “The place was packed and we signed autographs the whole time. Mike (Hoy, the team’s crew chief) gave me an awesome truck, and we beat Andy in the finals again.”
Seasock was looking forward to competing against Brandon Legarde, his teammate who drives the Sudden Impact® monster truck, but the two were never on the track at the same time.
“It was going to be my first opportunity to race against Brandon this year,” Seasock said. “We were talking smack back and forth on the phone all week. He did a great job with the truck all weekend, but we never got a chance to get alongside him.” ©Copyright Traxxas 2005
The Frackville, PA, native thrilled the United States Hot Rod Association Monster Jam® fans who packed Wilkes-Barre’s Wachovia Arena last weekend, winning two of the four racing competitions.
“We had a great weekend,” Seasock said. “We won two races, and it was especially gratifying with so many people we know coming out and supporting us. It’s a great feeling; I’m really happy to perform that well in our last indoor event of the year.”
Seasock, who won races on successive February weekends in University Park, PA, and Roanoke, VA, drove the T-Maxx to victory in the Saturday night and Sunday races. He defeated Eradicator®, driven by former teammate Andy Slifko of Pottsville, PA, in both finals.
Seasock showed exceptional class when he dedicated Sunday’s victory to the memory of John Blaney, Jr. John Blaney, Sr., and Jackie Kmetz, a brother of John, Jr., were track officials Sunday afternoon, the first time they worked together on the anniversary of John Junior’s passing.
“We’re all family in the monster truck industry: the drivers, the crews and the officials,” Seasock said. “One of the track officials from this area, John Blaney, Jr., passed away a few years ago, so I dedicated the race in his honor after I won. It was a very emotional day.”
Seasock and his sons, J.R. and Kyle, left home a day early so they could display the T-Maxx in Pittson, PA, Thursday.
“We had a great time displaying the T-Maxx at the Advance Auto Parts store,” Seasock said. “We really enjoyed meeting the fans and displaying the T-Maxx monster truck.”
Seasock and the T-Maxx were competitive against the world-class competition throughout the weekend, but saved their best for last.
“We didn’t win Friday night, but we knew we were on the right track,” Seasock said. “The surface was really tacky and (eventual winner) Carl Van Horn in Grave Digger® got the better of us in the semifinals. We did a little better Saturday afternoon. We finished fourth in the Wheelie Contest, then we had a blast in Freestyle and tied American Guardian® for second place.
“We really opened it up Saturday night. We beat Andy in the finals. Saturday night’s show was phenomenal. All the freestyles were world-class. Every driver did an outstanding job and the trucks were so great, drivers were cheering for each other.”
It was more of the same for Seasock and the T-Maxx Sunday: displays, autographs and victories.
“We had a super Party in the Pits Sunday before we raced,” Seasock said. “The place was packed and we signed autographs the whole time. Mike (Hoy, the team’s crew chief) gave me an awesome truck, and we beat Andy in the finals again.”
Seasock was looking forward to competing against Brandon Legarde, his teammate who drives the Sudden Impact® monster truck, but the two were never on the track at the same time.
“It was going to be my first opportunity to race against Brandon this year,” Seasock said. “We were talking smack back and forth on the phone all week. He did a great job with the truck all weekend, but we never got a chance to get alongside him.” ©Copyright Traxxas 2005