Monster Jam is best described by their website as “the most live action packed event on four wheels.” Fans of the show would be inclined to agree, and many of the drivers in the show would as well. I spoke with Cory Snyder, one of the stars of the show and a D.C. native. We talked a little about his personal history with Monster Jam and what it means to him. I have to say, I was quite surprised.

I learned that your dad is the reason you got interested in Monster Jam. What was it like for you to see him in action?

CS: It’s a pretty awesome experience. He’s the reason I am here today. He competed himself for ten years. I was with him every step of the way, getting things ready for the show and to see him get ready every weekend was truly an awesome experience.

During the week, you work as a welder and fabricator. How did you get into the welding profession?

CS: It was something that broke off from being in monster trucks. I started with monster trucks at sixteen. It had such a connection with monster trucks. I got a degree (in welding) and kept it on the side when I needed it.

I understand you hail from Washington, D.C. How does it feel to compete in your hometown?

CS: This is probably the most excited I’ve been coming into a show. It all started here in D.C. Being able to perform in front of a lot of friends is a lot of pressure, but it’s also a lot of fun. Dad competed in the Bank Arena so many years; now he is going to be on the sidelines watching me racing in D.C. It’s definitely surreal.

You started competing in Monster Jam in 2017. Can you tell us what it was like to compete for the first time?

CS: Competing for the first time, I was a little nervous taking a leap in my career.  As soon as you strap in, you have your safety gear, you’re in the zone and you really want to win the race. It was a little nerve wracking, but once you hit the cars and see the green light you go out and have fun.

What can the fans expect to see at Monster Jam? 

CS: This show coming up at D.C. is a pretty amazing show. It’s a great show from start to finish. This is the Monster Jam triple threat series. We’re also competing in an ATV race. All seven of us are competing in ATV and speedsters, which are golf carts on steroids. All three of these vehicles are in an awesome show.

As far as Monster Jam goes, what are you most excited about? 

CS: For the events. I’m doing a run, signing autographs. Drivers can really let loose and that’s where they get their excitement. It’s been in my blood since I was a kid. It’s gotten to the point where it’s very competitive. It’s action for every single weekend and for the fans to have fun. I’ve been looking forward to this show the most. To be able to do this in D.C. is awesome.

If you want to get tickets for the show, go to https://www.monsterjam.com/tickets. Their schedule is posted, but Monster Jam will be featured in DC, Maryland and Virginia between January 27^th and February 28^th. I guarantee you will have the time of your life.

About The Author

Lauren Beverly

Music Reviewer

I love to write and have been doing so since the age of eight. Fictional stories have always been a favorite of mine, because it gives me a chance to be creative and to express myself in a multitude of ways. On more than one occasion, a song proved to be the inspiration to several stories I have written. Believe it or not, some of those songs were on soundtracks! That’s mostly what I listen to, aside from hits from the 1950’s up to the 1980’s. I’ve learned that anything can be the inspiration to a story, even a poster from the 1990’s or a DVD cover.

I’ve lived in Upper Marlboro all of my life and spent much of my childhood watching cartoons of all kinds, and listening to my older sister’s cassette tapes. Growing up, I listened to everything Jackson related, Paula Abdul, Elton John, and even the controversial group Milli Vanilli. As a teenager, I continued to listen to old-school hits and that was pretty much all I liked, aside from listening to all of Michael Jackson’s music. To this day, I still love old-school hits. That hasn’t changed.

I own a variety of CDs from artists such as Styx, The BeeGees, Michael Jackson, Queen, The Yellow Submarine Soundtrack, and many others. When a soundtrack comes out, there will always be one specific song from that album that I’ll love. It never fails.

I’ve graduated from Bowie State University in December 2013 with a B.A. degree in English.

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