Tom Meents: A Legendary Career in Monster Jam | Monster Jam

[@CEO100able]

Wow! It's hard to believe that Tom Meents has retired after 31 years of driving monster trucks. All the Monster Jam World Finals highlights of the 2000s and 2010s bring back so many memories! The 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award speech is also great. Tom will always be one of the greatest of all-time! Way to go, Tom Meents! Thanks for all the fantastic monster truck excitement for all of us to enjoy!

[@alexanderredlin8493]

No way he was the best and such a humble guy met him when I was a kid in 2011

[@RDCNATION]

If the 2004 World Finals hadn't have ended in a three-way tie, Tom Meents definitely won. His run was chaos from start to finish. He never gave up, never gave in, pushed his truck to the limits. Determination and willpower is something that has been mostly fizzled out in Monster Jam today with their scared, over the top safety measures. Yes, safety is the first priority, but freak accidents are extremely rare and should be expected. We need the version of Monster Jam we all grew up with.

[@coreystack5655]

He always slept with the officials. Dennis won world finals 3 in o4.

[@VelocityRaptor32]

@@coreystack5655 One good save doesn't mean a WF championship

[@RDCNATION]

@@coreystack5655 Dennis flipping over early did not help, Tom filled the clock in spectacular fashion. The 2004 World Finals is World Finals 5, but I know what you're saying.

[@RDCNATION]

@@VelocityRaptor32 Exactly

[@nilesbrook4216]

The most entertaining monster truck driver of all time. Period.

[@VelocityRaptor32]

@@coreystack5655 no one in Monster Jam history has had more spectacular wins and losses then Tom Meents.

[@MonsterAviation]

@@VelocityRaptor32Exactly. And Dennis had what? Two?

[@VelocityRaptor32]

@@MonsterAviation alright I wouldn’t say that. Dennis definitely had tons of crazy moments, just not as many as Tom

[@MonsterAviation]

@@VelocityRaptor32 Exactly

[@NrGTitans]

in my opinion the GOAT of monster jam AND monster trucks in general sad to see him leaving monster jam but he has definitely had one of the greatest and best possible careers any person can ask for

[@Adventureswithauron]

Thank you Tom for so many wonderful memories that I will cherish for life! My late grandma was the biggest fan of yours other than myself. I miss her everyday and I will forever cheer on you and Max D into the next chapter!

[@MarvelMTs]

In 2024, Tom Meents finished the mission. Thanks for everything, King of Air, God speed Tom Meents, thanks for the memories

[@miketrapper0464]

Thank you Tom, for everything 🥹

[@Numberguynamed684]

What a season, we'll miss you Tom! The audio difference between 19:23 & 20:24. Man oh man.

[@Monstertrucksoverdrivenfanatic]

It’s the monster truck overdriven guy here

[@hoardoftherings]

Tom had serious attitude back when he first came onto the Monster Jam scene ... he also had the skills and HP sauce to back it up! So cool to see him teaching the next generation of drivers how it's done ... the evolution of these trucks and what can be done is simply incredible! Tom is the man and I'm sure he will be part of the MJ community forever!

[@VenkCutterman]

I’ll always be a Digger man, but I gotta admit, Tom Meents was on a whole different level as a driver 🫡

[@coreystack5655]

I'm not sure, I think Dennis truck just wasn't set up right to handle the things toms trucks could. And Dennis would purposely hit things all wonky and it would usually end his run. I think if Dennis could drive a truck like son uva digger he could prove his skills. A digger machine seems like the hardest one to keep on 4 wheels lol, but your prolly right. Those are just my 2 cents no one asked forn😅

[@mrjackstand863]

We love u Tom forever and ever! He will always be my favorite driver retired or not

[@twistedaxles9126]

Now do one for Dennis!

[@katierydermaurer3415]

Yeah they need to

[@dantheman1.2]

yes they will

[@hunterneel7293]

While Dennis had a successful career, it was nowhere near on the same level as Tom’s

[@fourwheelerjock]

​@hunterneel7293 That's a down right ridiculous statement. Dennis may not have had a good WF run or titles. But Dennis was one of if not the most winning driver during the regular season. Specially from 2006 to 2013. So to say Dennis didn't "have a career like toms" is ridiculous

[@hunterneel7293]

@@fourwheelerjock so if we consider monster jam a “sport”, the dodgers were and are of the winningest teams in the MLB from say 2014-now, but when they made it to the postseason, only managed to win the World Series once in that stretch. Making all of those winning seasons practically useless. I also feel that Dennis would not have been able to keep up in today’s age with his driving style. Too much lack luster air in the start of his runs. It was only momentum. I’m not saying he was bad by any means. Still a successful career, but highly overrated for what people make him out to be

[@ALTONSTUDIOSOFFICIAL]

Tom has been one of the best people in Monster Jam. If not best, and he has made history so many times its almost like a fever dream. Tom has to be the greatest to do it.

[@bodhinoowlad1268]

were all gonna miss you tom have a great retirement!!!!

[@NewportRed100s]

2004 left me in awe when I was a kid

[@christopherfranklin9838]

Thank you Tom and Max D

[@benber7358]

Tom Meents, On A Mission (1993 - 2024)

[@ignaciojguevarajr.2950]

Thanks Tom for the memories that you have given me. Especially from my childhood days watching you grow each and every year. I am going to not only miss , but also your trucks body frame of how low your truck is compared to the others. Thanks, and Love and prayers. Biggest fan Jesse

[@dzexperience883]

My favorite driver my favorite truck sure am going to miss old Tommy. Appreciate everything you've done.

[@ATK10155]

He was my favorite. Ever since I was 6. For no particular reason other than his freestyle looked so cool. Happy Retirement you madman.

[@RileyJadenTuano]

We have two Rookie and Legend!! Tom and Dennis!!!! Can you do next Dennis, Grave Digger?

[@johncarrillo518]

We need one for Dennis if it wasn’t for him monster jam wouldn’t exist

[@williamseaman176]

Thank you for everything Tom!

[@B4dlands]

Outstanding!

[@patrickracer43]

I have ironically a Grave Digger hat signed by Tom from when he came to Wildwood, NJ with either Team Meents or Max-D and I liked how he was willing to sign it

[@trevorwiesner7527]

I’ve got 2 of Tom’s helmets sitting on my shelf. 2009 Syracuse and 2012 Rochester. Absolute legend!!!

[@Pablo-312]

I remember getting his autograph back in 2014 at World Finals XV… There will never be another Tom Meents, but I bet a future driver will take notes on him to recapture him.

[@brutallyhonestmf5578]

He will be greatly missed. Wish him a happy retirement 😊.

[@RacingDen115]

Thank you for an outstanding career tom happy retirement my guy "Mr professor"

[@tristiangaming]

Oh those good 2000-2010 years

[@Colonel_Kitty]

While I have disagreements with Tom, I respect him as quite possibly the best driver ever

[@MadRockDrummer18]

Tom Meents & Dennis Anderson are hands down some of the greatest monster truck drivers in the world. I’ve been a fan for years & will continue to admire their driving. Proud of Tom, now let’s get Dennis one too!!

[@WeDoItLive]

14:25 Tom: 🏁 Alex: 🛫

[@jasonfernandez1480]

Yes do one for Dennis Anderson

[@chegsterrr]

GOAT

[@andrewverrett568]

Definitely the best racer ever. Very close in freestyle between him and Denis Anderson

[@MonsterJam-GraveDigger]

I miss you tom It was great to see him drive :(

[@user-mv7vn7zc9p]

I'd say Bill Goldberg greatly supported and motivated Tom Meents from starting with Goldberg to MAX-D.

[@austinstre93]

Had a factor in it. Maximum was supposed to come right after Goldberg, but the attacks of September 11, 2001 happened.

[@vicferrarisgarage]

Awesome

[@bloodstone2k]

I miss the intensity of MJ through the '00s, when they'd be able to run the trucks while missing a wheel, pouring smoke out of the transmission and fire from the brakes until there was barely a truck left when the clock hit zero. There was an attitude and a sense of chaos then that simply doesn't exist today. Safety concerns are a large part of it, but I can't help but feel that the soul of the sport departed with the retirement of drivers like Dennis Anderson and Tom Meents, and the overwhelming presence of corporate sponsorship and merchandising.

[@gamingwith3033]

feld just wants to cut costs...

[@tigrexwalker285]

10:35 - 12:20 My Favorite Tom Meents moment

[@WordThought]

true champ- u cant go to school to be a Tom Meents- that man is part driver, part stuntman-- I grew up seeing Bigfoot and Grave Digger- but it wasnt until the early 2000's I saw Tom and became a fan- seen him once in person in NJ at englishtown- got his autograph- great guy!

[@JAMES-qp8tz]

05:10, 16:12, & 17:12 one of the Monster Jam graphics ever (Racing and Freestyle Competition Event) I miss for that. Nostalgia. 👍🏻

[@SilverLoganX]

Btw max goldburg evolved into max d by far seeing this truck do insaine stuff i think this is one of my personal fav trucks

[@allenvolz7304]

Living legend

[@wegnerracer2]

Heck yeah

[@thattimelord]

Never got to see him in person, but thankyou Tom for making the monster jam part of my childhood so awesome along with Dennis. Much love from the UK

[@ryanmcmillin5313]

I got to see him at his last World Finals appearance last year

[@katierydermaurer3415]

I got to meet him in Houston 2021 2023 2024 Arlington 2020 2022 and San Antonio 2021

[@Monstercollinhalloween]

Sad thing is that I’ve always wanted to meet him but the lines 💀

[@kylebeach2316]

I got held by him back in 2012 😂

[@Monstercollinhalloween]

Well I guess I did because I was able to give him a hug in the stands

[@CaptainCJ97]

What a amazing career

[@katierydermaurer3415]

Yeah Tom Meents I love that dude from shake me monster patrol bulldozer Goldberg team Meents and max-d I saw him in Houston 2021 2023 2024 Arlington 2020 2022 and San Antonio 2021 we will miss that legendary boy for 30+ years of driving congratulations of winning 14 world champions 2 stadium series champions and so many good awards and with the rivalry of Tom and Dennis good job for a legendary Career Tom Meents 🥲🥹🥺😢

[@EthynReasoner]

Meents is in the same conversation with Andretti, Petty, Earnhardt, Schumacher, Loeb, Force, Kinser, etc., as the greatest driver of all-time!

[@jarritos_sodabottle]

No he’s great but don’t compare his name to Andretti or Schumacher

[@VelocityRaptor32]

@@jarritos_sodabottle He absolutely compares to them.

[@jarritos_sodabottle]

@@VelocityRaptor32 he would be if he was an independent

[@VelocityRaptor32]

@@jarritos_sodabottle makes no sense but ok. Ignoring the best monster truck driver ever just because he’s a company driver makes no sense

[@allamericannightmare4904]

Championship wise he is the best. But Dennis Anderson changed the game. You can’t include one without the other.

[@jkritter456]

This is really cool. Why did you start at Goldberg tho?!? There was monster patrol and bulldozer that really gave Tom a name for himself within the sport. Not to mention he drove digger 12 twice.. I really hoped for more.

[@vincentbanksjr.7509]

U will be missed but i can tell your teaching the next-generation

[@RC_Overdrive]

YEAHHHH

[@steaglesfan5686]

Sorry Dennis but tom is the Goat

[@stompy6667]

So no pre Goldberg footage? That's disappointing

[@hardlucknate6769]

I have a speech : to the greatest mud and monster truck driver in existence from making a debut in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania in 1988 to my first time seeing a front engine monster truck in 2010 on TV what's my dumb 10 year old mind I was introduced to the great people of monster jam I am still loving it today from the bottom of my heart this man has accomplished a lot and achieve so many wins did I wish other guys could take away from him but anyway congratulations to him tom meents and I congratulate him on having the best team in all life existence with Neil Elliott Chuck Warner and so many others even the debut of the team meents style the Hot Wheels monster truck from 2002 to 2007 and the red yellow and gold maximum destruction bodies let's not forget about that congratulations and farewell to tom meents I really really wished I could have Max d neon look in 2013

[@salvatoreshurott9475]

12:21 I don’t know where he nothing but smoke out there that’s why they call it maximum destruction right there

[@Monstercollinhalloween]

Dennis or Adam next!

[@allamericannightmare4904]

If no one misses the old motor sounds idk what to say lol.

[@jordanlloyd5421]

But what about the footage of the 2-Wheels Skills world finals 2019?

[@MJfan110]

After 13 years, they still won’t show the captains curse crash from 2009

[@pitcrew7877]

FELD refused to acknowledge it then, and they probably will continue to sweep that under the rug.

[@theofficialwhisper4936]

Why what happened?

[@MJfan110]

@@theofficialwhisper4936 back in 2009 during the championship race between Maximum Destruction and Captains Curse, Captains Curse lost its brakes and went flying over the wall, into the covered seats. Look it up for a better understanding.

[@VenomTheCrocodile]

​@@theofficialwhisper4936 About captains curse's crash at the world finals 10

[@MJfan110]

@@justinyoung109 Fr

[@snooks250sx]

Monster Jam and Meents' career didn't start in 2001. They should have included footage of him in Monster Patrol from the 90s

[@MonsterJam-GraveDigger]

Tom Meents Tyler Menninga and Ryan Anderson are legendary drivers also Adam, And Weston!

[@Dluzy]

We need one of these for Dennis please!

[@CEO100able]

Now that's something I definitely would like to see next!

[@spacecityhyundai6047]

Dennis next !

[@Ur-Gurl-Eva]

1 minute gang❤

[@HarleyQuinn-nl7zv]

Nobody young will remember this but remember In the early 2000s if you wanted to watch World finals you had to have cable and call a 1-800 number to order it for $50 to watch it? Same with WWF PPVs.

[@allennixon4745]

Tom Meents world finals racing record 46-14 six racing championships racing: 00-01-02-09-11-12 freestyle: 01-02-06-13-22 skills: 19-22 world final championships: 14 only monster jam driver in history to double down world finals. 2000 Monster Jam World Finals racing champion 2001 Monster Jam World Finals freestyle champion 2001 Monster Jam World Finals racing champion 2002 Monster Jam World Finals freestyle champion 2002 Monster Jam World Finals racing champion 2004 Monster Jam World Finals freestyle champion 2006 Monster Jam World Finals freestyle champion 2007 Save of the Year 2008 WOW Factor of the Year 2009 Monster Jam World Finals racing champion 2009 WOW Factor of the Year 2009 Donut of the Year 2010 Crash Madness of the Year 2011 Monster Jam World Finals racing champion 2012 Monster Jam World Finals racing champion 2012 Crash Madness of the Year 2013 Monster Jam World Finals freestyle champion 2013 Save of the Year 2014 Save of the Year 2015 Stadium Save of the Year 2016 Stadium Donut of the Year 2017 Donut of the Year 2018 Donut of the Year 2019 Monster Jam World Finals two-wheel skills champion 2019 Stadium Championship Series 1 champion 2021 Extreme Air of the Year 2022 Stadium Series Red champion 2022 Monster Jam World Finals skills challenge champion 2022 Monster Jam World Finals freestyle champion 2023 Stadium 2-wheel skills of the Year 2024 Save of the Year 2024 Life Time Achievement award so many racing wins and freestyle wins in stadium events too many to count Tom Meents went out as the goat of Monster jam thanks for all the memories congratulations on a historic career.

[@Monsterjamcolletor2008rarm]

I saw him from 2007 2008 2016 2012

[@jordanlloyd5421]

Do you think either Coty Saucier of Blake Granger will be the NEW Max D driver in 2025?

[@mtfan]

Completely ignoring everything prior to 2000. Typical Feld. Tom won the 1997 US Truckfest which was a MJ event and it was one of his career highlights.

[@VelocityRaptor32]

I mean they also ignored every non WF event in his entire career soooo

[@Code_AK456]

How about we enjoy the tribute they made instead of complaining? Plus it's only of his highlights from the numbered world finals

[@mtfan]

@@Code_AK456 well for one it’s called “a legendary career” and they chose to just ignore the first 7 years of it. And no I won’t just enjoy it - compilations of his WF wins have been on KZbin for years. Accepting mediocrity is why our society is in the crapper. Demand better from what’s supposedly the best tour in the world.

[@Code_AK456]

@@mtfan At least they acknowledge it, yeah it would be preferable if they did decide to include stuff prior to 2000. I get being bothered, but outright condemning it is unfair. I hope you do realize they didn't have to put this together in the first place. I'd rather enjoy what was given rather than be upset that they didn't include everything he's done in his career.

[@mtfan]

​@@Code_AK456 Anything worth doing is worth doing right. If you can't do it right, don't do it at all. Period. Again, encouraging the acceptance of mediocrity is why everything in our world sucks today.

[@justinyoung109]

First, that '04 championship has aged sooo badly with his '06 run being marginally better 14 years later. No way that would ever be considered champion tier today and I'm surprised it scored well back then in hindsight. Alright back to more positive feelings. I have not seen that '02 racing finals and freestyle in their entirety since the Bush administration (Pre Speed years) That 01 racing final and freestyle run was a feels trip all on its own. I think I still have that winning freestyle on a VHS recorded off TNN somewhere. That made me feel old (I'm 29 as I type this) in a way that only that Eddie Money song "I Wanna Go Back" can get across. It's crazy to me that his driving career that followed me from early childhood to adulthood has come to an end before I'm even 30. I mean, it's already an existential feels trip to witness that. I frankly don't even want to be around when we lose Tom for good if given the choice. But Thanks Tom again for being an integral part of my childhood and being only second to Bob Chandler in forming what is now a big part of who I am as a person.

[@TheHatGuy1500]

Which monster truck did you like him driving in 1993 - 1998: Monster Patrol 1999: Bulldozer 2000 - 2001: Goldberg 2002: Team Meents 2003 - present: Maximum Destruction/Max-D

[@Monsterjam2020]

I think the answer is obvious

[@Monsterjam2020]

Maximum destruction

[@katierydermaurer3415]

Max-d that’s my all time favorite with the others her drove

[@TheHatGuy1500]

Mine is Goldberg

[@Gozi_Arrik]

team meents

[@TheHatGuy1500]

4:54 Why didnt the toy one have the accurate body and have the portrait if Bill Goldberg?

[@ryanmcmillin5313]

🙃

[@mateocasas75098]

Who will be filling in Tom Meents’s position driving Max-D? Only because Blake Granger can’t be the lone driver of Max-D. I sure hope Colton Eichelberger will fill in his dad’s position

[@miketrapper0464]

I don’t think Colton wants to drive anymore

[@ryanmcmillin5313]

@@miketrapper0464 Colton did drive for a few weekends during the season before stepping away

[@miketrapper0464]

@@ryanmcmillin5313 he doesn’t look like he wants to drive, he left because he missed his family

[@ryanmcmillin5313]

@@miketrapper0464 Same with Linsey Read she left Monster Jam after this year's World Finals

[@miketrapper0464]

@@ryanmcmillin5313 I think Blake will be the one who drives the truck if they don’t retire max d

[@theadventurousboi9609]

when was 2 wheel skills invented? just wondering

[@jacob_ponce]

What happened to his years in monster patrol?

[@Eric-in7qw]

I’m the first comment

[@Snappyse-CEO-of-Samsung]

Didn't tom meents win 2 wheel skills in 2022 not freestyle or am i trippin?

[@cameronwhite9909]

GOAT