Photos credited to MonsterJam.com
At last year's Monster Jam World Finals, the encore concluded with what was called the "Past, Present and Future of team Grave Digger." Out first came Dennis Anderson, driving the modern Grave Digger that has been recognized by millions of fans.
Shortly after, out came the youngest son, Ryan Anderson, in a red Grave Digger, representing the first truck that had the famous name. Finally, Adam Anderson came out in a blue and silver Grave Digger, a throwback to the first panel van Ryan and Adam's dad drove in the 1980s.
It would be the first time all three Andersons were on the track as a group.
That summer, all three got the opportunity to compete against one another at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dennis and Ryan swept the trophies, while Adam had engine failure right at the beginning of the program.
Now, nearly a year since that show, all three Andersons will make their return to competition.
On July 9, Monster Jam is making their inaugural trip to M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, the home of the Baltimore Ravens, for what has been deemed "Havoc in the Harbor."
It is there that all three Anderson boys return to competition against one another, but for the first time will compete against one another as a part of Team Digger.
Dennis makes his return to the driver seat of the Grave Digger after an impressive winter season that saw him win 14 of 17 racing events. He was the odds-on favorite heading into the World Finals at Las Vegas, only to fall victim to a broken rod in the engine during the quarterfinal race.
It will be the first time the elder Anderson will return to the driver seat since Vegas, however with the roll that he was on over the winter, Dennis seems to be getting better with age.
He however will have to deal with Adam and Ryan, who are both looking spectacular already over the summer.
Adam returns to the driver seat of his own Grave Digger...Grave Digger The Legend.
The blue and silver Ford Panel Van that the second generation driver debuted in January has been on a tear, and recently saw one of the biggest victories of the early summer tour.
Adam beat out 11 other top trucks and drivers in Monster Jam's second visit to Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
After having a horrible run of luck continue at Las Vegas, Adam defeated team Grave Digger driver Charlie Pauken (driving Dennis' Grave Digger truck) in the finals to score the victory.
He would go on to finish second in the freestyle competition that night, falling only to the Digger in the final scoring.
Both Adam and Dennis have established themselves as competitive drivers, but one more Anderson is ready to steal the entire show away from them in his first major stadium event in a new Digger creation.
His debut at Las Vegas has gone down as one of the greatest single runs in the history of the World Finals, and it was an encore.
Ryan Anderson is ready to go against his dad and his brother in the brand new Son-Uva Digger 1950 Willy's Panel truck.
He has already racked up victories against team Digger driver Chad Tingler in both Bangor, Maine and Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Now, Ryan must battle his dad, his brother and 13 more of the top Monster Jam competitors to see what his brand new creation can compete with the best drivers in the sport.
The three Andersons will have to battle against both of this year's world champions, Tom Meents and Jim Koehler, former champions Damon Bradshaw and Lupe Soza, and also will have to deal with the stadium debut of extreme sports icon Travis Pastrana in his Nitro Circus truck.
But, this night will have the entire focus on the three Andersons.
After both Dennis and Adam had bad nights in Las Vegas, neither taking home a championship, Ryan saved the Anderson name with his epic encore performance.
Drivers and fans alike are still talking about his backflip to cap of his return to driving. It is unclear whether the track will provide that kind of capability, however the chances of any Anderson making a major impression are high.
However, with a total of 16 trucks slated to compete at the event, anything is possible. Will Dennis return to glory after some time away from the seat?
Will Adam back up his victory in Philadelphia with another at a debut event?
Or will it be the day where Ryan steps out into his own to show the Digger fans that he is ready to show that the newest addition to the Digger family is ready to make a name on the circuit?
The "Havoc in the Harbor" event is set to take place on July 9.
For information on the truck line-up, or to order tickets for this event, visit MonsterJam.com.
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