Monster Jam Roars Into Chicago, Expecting Sell-Out Crowds

At McCormick Place, production cars are being polished and prepped to pristine perfection.

At the Allstate Arena, 100 truckloads of dirt are being dumped on the floor

WHAT:

The world's most famous monster trucks, mammoth custom-designed machines with names like Grave Digger®, El Toro Logo®, and Monster Mutt®, averaging 12 feet tall by 12 feet wide, capable of short, high-powered bursts of speed up to 100 miles per hour and flights 35 feet in the air.

WHEN/WHERE:

9:00 - 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012

Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Rd., Rosemont, Ill.

Media, please check in at the North Security Lobby on Lunt St.

SPECIAL MEDIA OPPORTUNITY:

Rare opportunity for cameras/reporters to get an up-close look at one of these mammoth machines -- "Hometown" driver George Balhan (from Minooka, Ill., near Joliet) will be on-site to show off his new ride, Mohawk Warrior(SM). Balhan, easily one of the most recognized drivers in the sport, because of his distinctive Mohawk haircut, has built his own unique fan base, known as the Mohawk Nation.

Cameras can also shoot footage of more than 100 truckloads of dirt being dumped on the Allstate Arena floor in preparation for the next night's Monster Jam opening here.

FUEL FOR THOUGHT:

Comparing a monster truck to the average vehicle on display at the Chicago Auto Show

ADDITIONAL INFO:

Allstate Arena Monster Jam shows are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 12. For additional information, visit Monster Jam.