The field has been set for the 2011 Monster Jam World Finals in Las Vegas, presented by NGK Spark Plugs.  A stacked line-up of 24 trucks are set to take the track at the fastest, toughest, and most insane setup seen all year long.

But, with 24 trucks and 24 of the best drivers in the country doing battle on the largest stage in the industry, how does one decide a winner?  This field has new-comers to the show, ones with a few years experience, and some World Finals veterans that have been to nearly all the events at Las Vegas.

Here's my take on the entire field for this year's World Finals XII:

 

GRAVE DIGGER-Dennis Anderson

The defending World Finals racing champion has followed up his title run with the single greatest racing season of his career.  The part that stuns everyone is that this is the 29th year Anderson has been driving the Grave Digger.

But, throughout the indoor season, Anderson won 12 of the 14 events he competed in.  His only loss came in the finals, while he experienced mechanical issues in the other loss.  There is no question he is the favorite to win this year's racing crown, but don't expect him to just settle for that win.

Anderson will be gunning for his first complete sweep of the World Finals, something that hasn't been done since 2001.  Watch out, the "Black and Green Wrecking Machine" will be 100% ready for competition.

MAXIMUM DESTRUCTION-Tom Meents

The industry's only eight-time world champion returns to Vegas this year with not only redemption on his mind, but also a new ride.  Tom Meents built a brand new Max-D truck that debuted in January, and he has been on a tear ever since.

I see Meents possibly winning racing, but I actually see him as the favorite in freestyle.  If his run in Arlington, Texas, is any indication, there's nothing Meents won't do in his truck.  Watch for some maximum destruction when this truck hits the track.

MONSTER MUTT-Charlie Pauken

The dog is loose, and it will be tough for anyone to top what "Chuckie" did last year in Las Vegas.  Every jump was big, momentum was constant, and the fans were screaming.

As the second of five Grave Digger drivers in the field, Paukens will be looking to do what only Meents has done at the World Finals, repeat as freestyle champion.  Look for the tail to be wagging and the tongue to be panting when this run ends.

AVENGER-Jim Koehler

It has been eight years since "Mr. Excitement" has won a world championship, but Koehler is always someone to watch for when Vegas rolls around.

He may not be the best when it comes to racing, so watch for him to be one of the top five favorites to win the freestyle title.

The only question left to answer...what's his 1957 Chevy Bel-Air body going to look like for this event?

ADVANCE AUTO PARTS GRINDER-Lupe Soza

As if having the title sponsor of Monster Jam on the truck isn't hard enough, Soza also has two teammates that are hoping to see him win another championship.  In November, John Seasock was introduced as the second driver of the Grinder.

Then, in December, Frank Krmel got the call to be the third driver of the Grinder after his deal with Ford fell through.  So, Soza is looking to impress the fans and the team.

It shouldn't be a problem; Soza has been known to grind his truck into the ground.  Don't expect anything different this year.

MADUSA-Debra "Madusa" Miceli

The "First Lady of Monster Jam" is the only female to ever win a title in this industry, and she has two of them.  Miceli has a freestyle title, which she shared with Soza and Meents in 2004, then beat Anderson in 2005 for the racing championship.

With a pink truck, and many young ladies looking on, Miceli is ready to put some "girl power" in a field filled with some of the toughest guys in the sport.  It will not be easy, but Miceli will not back down.

BOUNTY HUNTER-Jimmy Creten

Ironically, the title this driver won isn't exactly the one I favor him for.  Creten was the 2005 freestyle champion, which he rightfully deserved because he had a fantastic run.  But, Creten is more known for his racing, because of the amount of horsepower he makes with his truck.

This year, Creten has a brand new Bounty Hunter from the ground up, and it has been spectacular.  If anyone can knock the Grave Digger off the championship podium, it's Creten.

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES-Pablo Huffaker

The third Grave Digger driver in the field is also a former champion, but is always looking to add another title to the trophy case.

The truck Huffaker will be driving is the same truck he debuted in 2001, but with the third different body.  Huffaker nearly won the racing title in 2004 driving Blacksmith, but won the 2007 freestyle title using the Captain's Curse look.  Now, for the fourth straight year, it will be a turtle shell on the truck.

Huffaker will come out of that shell when it's time for the competition to begin, so look out for this veteran to be tough.

GRAVE DIGGER THE LEGEND-Adam Anderson

In 2008, the eldest son of Dennis Anderson broke out and won his first world title.  The most impressive thing, it was Adam's third year in competition.

But, the last two years at the World Finals have not been kind to him.  He hit a tree in 2009, forcing him to visit the hospital, and last year he flipped on his first jump, costing him a shot at the title.

Now, with a truck similar to the first panel van his dad drove in the early 1980s, Adam Anderson is looking for redemption.  He's not one to back down from his statements, so watch this 1950 Ford van to rock the house.

AIR FORCE AFTERBURNER-Damon Bradshaw

There is no question the quickest learner I've ever seen behind the wheel of a monster truck is Bradshaw.  One year after he debuted as the driver of the Afterburner, Bradshaw put on a clinic on a winning freestyle in Las Vegas.

He was unable to follow up last year, finishing just short of a victory, but he made a great accounting for himself.  He's just as hungry, and he's got a lot of pressure, considering the armed forces are backing him.  It will be time for that truck to fly just like an F-16.

IRONMAN-Lee O'Donnell

Here's a driver I'd watch for more in racing than freestyle.  Coming from an off-road background, I wouldn't be surprised if O'Donnell has a better run in racing rather than freestyle.

But, he does have a new chassis this year, so anything can happen.  Either way, look for a little Black Sabboth to be playing if he wins either title.

LUCAS OIL CRUSADER-Linsey Weenk

After spending the last three years at the wheel of Blue Thunder, Weenk got an opportunity to take the wheel of another big sponsor for the 2011 campaign.  A brand new Cadillac Escalade body was put on the chassis he ran last year, and Lucas Oil hopped on board.

The Crusader debuted in January, and Weenk has been victorious ever since.  He made it to the semi-finals in racing last year, losing to Meents.  I'm putting him as another major contender to win the racing title this year.  Don't expect him to slouch in freestyle either, but he's one of my underdogs in this field.

MONSTER MUTT DALMATIAN-Candice Jolly

As the only other female in this year's field, Jolly has a lot of pressure.  But, this is her third year driving at Las Vegas, and she is not afraid of what the track has put in front of her.

Her freestyle was cut short last year, but she is very capable of putting on a great run.  I see nothing different in 2011.

MOHAWK WARRIOR-George Balhan

Last year, Balhan nearly captured a title many felt he was overdue.  His run in An Escalade was second to only Pauken.  But, in the encore, he debuted a truck that was in honor of the fan following he has gotten in the last six years.

The Mohawk Warrior has been a very popular machine for kids and adults.  In fact, the night Balhan got his invite to the World Finals, he won racing.  It was his first major stadium victory in over a year.

I don't expect another "Bridesmaid Balhan" run this year.  If he can follow up what he did last year, a title for the Mohawk Nation will be won.

CAPTAIN'S CURSE-Alex Blackwell

Two years ago, Blackwell nearly pulled off the ultimate upset as he made it to the finals of racing against Meents.  The only problem, he lost his brakes and went tumbling into the stands of Sam Boyd Stadium.

Last year, Blackwell rolled in racing and then blew out his steering on the first hit in freestyle.

If the equipment holds up, I'd watch Blackwell to have a very strong run in both racing and freestyle.  It could be a night where the curse comes true.

STONE CRUSHER-Steve Simms

No matter what the expense, Simms will buy it to make sure his truck is the best it can be.  For 2011, the Stone Crusher team expanded to two trucks, with former Bounty Hunter driver Darren Mingues taking over Simms' old truck.

Simms now has a new Patrick Enterprises chassis, and is ready to make a charge at a title.

SUPERMAN-Chad Fortune

The cape has returned once again as another superhero truck is in the field for this year.  Fortune has shown he can compete at this level.  Who can ever forget when he stood his truck on it's nose in the 2007 event.

It is going to take one of those nights to win the title this year.

EL TORO LOCO-Marc McDonald

Last year, McDonald went to the World Finals with a new look, taking over a ride that had already won a world championship.  He went out and blistered the field in qualifying, and made it to the semi-finals against the Grave Digger.

But, he crashed after the final jump and could not compete in freestyle.  I'm expecting a crazy bull to come out this year, and one that will be ready for victory.

NITRO CIRCUS-Cam McQueen

A truck that is associated with Travis Pastrana is always a favorite for freestyle.  But, last year, McQueen had to live up to something he pulled off a few months prior.

McQueen was the first to pull off a complete backflip in freestyle competition.  He went for it again in Vegas, but could not land back on the wheels.

I say if McQueen pulls that off this year, no one can top him.  Not even Pastrana himself.

AMZOIL SHOCK THERAPY-Jon Zimmer

In 2009, this truck wasn't part of the competition, just the pit party.  But, on the Thursday before the event, drivers not competing could run the track and see how they would do on the Vegas course.  Zimmer stunned everyone as the time he put in was not just competitive...it would have been fifth fastest.

Even Dennis Anderson was worried when he faced him last year in racing, because his truck is set up for a track like the one at Vegas.  Low to the ground, and a lot of horsepower.

He's a real sleeper in racing, so watch out.  He could upset the entire field.

BRUTUS-Chris Bergeron

After missing last year's line-up, Bergeron returns with the third dog-themed truck in the field.

Although at last year's event, Bergeron did make an appearance.  He came out as part of the 10-truck encore to perform for the fans, except he was running the Wrecking Crew body.  What did he do for his performance?

Just put on a clinic on how do do cyclone donuts.  It was that kind of encore that helped earn him the right to run this year.  The fans will certainly be dizzy if he pulls off that kind of run.

SPIDERMAN-Chad Tingler

The final Grave Digger driver in this year's field has a habit of being in different trucks at this show.  Tingler has driven three different trucks at this event, with one being a fill-in role once Adam Anderson went to the hospital.

Now, he's in his second event behind the wheel of another superhero truck.  Hopefully this year's run will be better than the one he had in 2010.

BATMAN-Norm Miller

It's hard taking over a truck that has already won a title, but the Batman truck is back at the World Finals with it's third different driver.  Jason Childress ran this truck the first year in Vegas, while John Seasock has driven it the last four years, two of which saw him capture a racing title.

Now, Norm Miller has a lot of pressure on his shoulders, but he's another veteran driver, so I don't see that pressure getting to him.

BACKDRAFT-Jeremy Slifko

The final truck in this year's field is not a rookie, but is a pure rookie at this event.  However, Jeremy Slifko earned this spot because of his performances the last two years.

Slifko had not even been to the Vegas event as a display truck, but this year, he earned it.  Earlier this year, he went to Orlando, Florida, and outright won the freestyle competition over drivers like Anderson and Weenk.  As a second-generation driver, he learned from his father, Andy, how to drive, and how to respect the equipment.

I would be surprised if he won the freestyle title, but anything can happen at this event.

 

There they are, the 24 trucks that will be ready for competition.  It will be one of the most competitive, unbelievable, and unprecedented events of the year.

The Monster Jam World Finals will take place over two days.  March 25 is the "Double Down" event for some fans, as they get an exclusive look at the trucks without the bodies, a chance to walk the track and get next to the obstacles, a barbecue and the first crack at exclusive merchandise.

Not to mention, the final rounds of practice followed by qualifying for the main event.

The next day is the big show.  Nearly 45,000 people will witness the crowning of two new champions, and what is sure to be an incredible encore by some of the best drivers in Monster Jam.

Strap in, because this year's Monster Jam World Finals XII will be bigger, better, and have more destruction than ever before.