Some nights, just don’t go your way, and last Saturday night was one of those nights for Steve Sims and the Stone Crusher monster truck. After an incredible weekend at the Back to School Monster Truck Bash in 2012, where Sims won both racing and freestyle competitions, expectations were high coming back in 2013. After a great afternoon with the fans at the pit party where Sims signed autographs and fans got a chance to ride in the Stone Crusher ride truck, it was time for qualifying. Sims was off to a promising start, looking fast and smooth through the first half of the grueling course, but as Sims rounded the backstretch it became apparent that the Stone Crusher was battling driveline issues. The front wheels didn’t appear to have any drive, and that would end Sims efforts in racing early. The crew gave it their all to have the truck back for round one to have a shot at competing, but despite their best efforts they weren’t able to make the call.
After the obvious disappointment in racing, Sims was fired up and ready to tear up the track in freestyle with the Stone Crusher. Sims went right to work and got some big air over one of several bus stacks on the track, but upon landing Sims was unable to get the truck under power. Realizing something was amiss, Sims shut the truck off and rolled to a stop. Officials and crew chief Tommy Powers rushed to the truck and discovered the culprit of a broken throttle cable. They managed to do an incredibly quick repair to get the freestyle back underway. After the early hiccup, Sims tried to regain his momentum and was on his way to a good run when once again the truck encountered driveline issues. Sims wouldn’t be stopped though, and battled the ailing machine and willed it around the track. After giving every bit of effort he had, Sims finally gave in when the truck became wedged between obstacles and unable to move any further. “I gave it everything she had. The truck just wouldn’t go any more,” said Sims following the run. While bad luck may have bit the team this weekend, you can bet on the crew having the Stone Crusher back to 100% before their next event and ready to thrill fans again.