1993 PENDA Monster Truck Challenge Lima, OH Race 2

[@MisterGravelrama]

I wonder if the Trucks & Tractor Power/TNN producers (or whoever made the editing decisions) regretted cutting so much of the first round & most/all of qualifying during these years ('93-'96) when the media (T.V.) life of monster trucks were depending on the success of this show? A lot of privateers that were trying to make it may have put more effort into it if they weren't cut out every week during these years & likely would have stuck with the sport... But thanks to Dennis ultimately bringing in the "corporation" to start evolving the sport to what it is today, we all get to look at these shows as the silver age rather than the dying days... Nothing directed at you of course, thanks for uploading! I enjoy all of these & just wanted to put the idea out there for fans to ponder.

[@DaltonHastings1]

During this time, Trucks and Tractor Power always had 30 minute shows, they couldn't incorporate the first round even if they wanted to. T&TP never had that big of ratings during the time, also because even though monster trucks were very popular during this time, they didn't have a lot of interest to the people of the motorsports world like Indycar, NASCAR, NHRA, and so fourth.

[@MisterGravelrama]

Of course I understand this. They could easily run through & recap the first round and/or qualifying rounds as they did in the final years of the PENDA series where they would re-cap 6-8 runs of the first rounds in less than 90 seconds without much detail other than the actual run. I was merely posing the idea that they could have given the privateers a moment of screen time on the off chance that they may increase their small & fading fan base at the time by placating to their most dedicated fans. But, just offering a theory... But "fortunately" (in some eyes) Clearchannel & all the other incantations of the corporations (again, at the time) bought up Digger & saved our sport to make it what it is today... And in an even more humorous twist, KZbin has provided the bridge to bring back all of the good old days from even far earlier than this to those who will forever be fans, despite the missed opportunities. Long Live Monster Trucks!

[@MisterGravelrama]

Watching this over 7 years later, it looks like the majority of the answer to the original pontification presented would stem from the failure of the television production. Specifically, the producer did not use the allotted time to what could have garnered maximum value to the fans, drivers, owners, and the corporate sponsors. Unfortunately, this an effect that occurs frequently when the content is cut up to fit the time slot by someone who is not knowledgeable of the actual product. Hence, rushing through the first round, cutting out some entirely, then stretching to kill time later with unedited ramblings from the winning drivers. Ahh, cest la vie. Regardless of how this was chopped up in the truck & presented to all of us, the core product (being the monster trucks racing) will always be entertaining and a pleasure to watch. It's easy to nit-pick decades later. At least there was a show that we can still enjoy today. Thanks to the original efforts who put in the work and to the channels who continue to share them with the world. Much love to all the monster truck community!