Linsey Read

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KRYSTEN ANDERSON Breaks World Record, Proves Women Belong in Monster Trucks

August 13, 2020

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• FULL BIO: Linsey Read

   

  Linsey Read transformed from a Monster Jam fan in El Paso to the first mother to win the sport’s most prestigious freestyle competition, proving that dreams don’t have an expiration date. The Texas native carved her path through the male-dominated world of monster trucks without any formal motorsports background, landing backflips and breaking barriers along the way.

  EARLY YEARS

  Born around 1989-1990 in the El Paso, Texas area, Linsey grew up attending Monster Jam shows in her hometown. These early experiences planted the seeds of what would become an unlikely motorsports career. As a young girl watching 10,000-pound trucks soar through the air, she found herself particularly drawn to the rare female drivers who commanded these mechanical beasts. Candice Jolly and Madusa (Debrah Ann Miceli) became her heroes, showing her that women could belong in this testosterone-fueled arena. Little did she know that decades later, she’d be the one inspiring the next generation of girls in the stands.

  OTHER INTERESTS

  As a mother of three daughters, Linsey’s world outside the arena revolves around family life in Texas. Balancing the demands of full-time Monster Jam competition with raising three girls requires the same precision she uses to nail a perfect backflip. Her daughters have become some of her biggest supporters, cheering her on as she pursues her dreams while showing them that mothers can be both nurturing and fearless.

  EARLY SUCCESS

  Read’s journey into motorsports began around 2011 with Tuff Truck Racing, also known as the Tough Truck Challenge—a street-legal truck competition in El Paso. “I haven’t! The tough truck challenge was the first time I had ever done any kind of event in motorsports,” she admitted, explaining her complete lack of racing background. “I crewed for a stock car team in dirt track racing, but I’d never gotten an opportunity to drive until then.” Her natural talent became evident quickly when she secured second place in the Tough Truck Challenge in her second year. This performance caught the attention of Monster Jam personnel, who invited her to Monster Jam University to learn the technical skills needed for professional monster truck competition. By 2013, she had joined Monster Jam as a recovery driver, the behind-the-scenes role responsible for removing wrecked trucks and supporting races.

  NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

  • 2013: Joined Monster Jam as a recovery driver
  • 2016: Became primary driver for the Scooby-Doo Monster Truck
  • 2019: First female driver to win a Showdown competition at Monster Jam World Finals, earning entry to the main racing and freestyle competition
  • 2019: Won Monster Jam World Finals freestyle competition, becoming the first mother to claim the sport’s biggest prize
  • 2019: Successfully landed a backflip in a Monster Truck during competition

  INSPIRATIONS

  Linsey’s path to Monster Jam glory was paved by the female drivers who came before her. “I was a huge fan growing up. I would go to my hometown show in El Paso, Texas. One year, Candice Jolly participated and I thought, ‘How cool was it there was a woman doing this?'” Seeing Jolly and the legendary Madusa command respect in the arena showed young Linsey that gender didn’t have to be a barrier in motorsports. These pioneering women didn’t just inspire her career choice—they gave her permission to dream big in a world where women were rarely seen behind the wheel of monster trucks.

  REPUTATION

  Read has earned recognition as both a skilled competitor and a fan favorite on the Monster Jam circuit. Her technical prowess in freestyle events, combined with her ability to execute complex maneuvers like backflips, has established her as a serious contender rather than just a novelty act. The motorsports community and media have embraced her story as one of breaking barriers and defying expectations. Her role as a mother who achieved the sport’s highest honor has made her a powerful symbol for women in motorsports, and she actively uses her platform to encourage others to “dare to dream big” and “live without fear.” Coverage of her achievements consistently highlights her pioneering status while respecting her skills as a legitimate competitor.

  FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

  Linsey continues as a full-time Monster Jam driver, returning to competition on the 2023 tour and remaining active in the sport. Currently piloting the Scooby-Doo truck on Monster Jam circuits globally, she shows no signs of slowing down. With her daughters watching from the stands and a new generation of young girls seeing what’s possible, Read’s future appears focused on continuing to compete at the highest level while cementing her legacy as a trailblazer who proved that mothers, dreams, and monster trucks make a powerful combination.

  References:

  Greenville Journal
  ESPN
  Dog O’Day
  My Fox28 Columbus
  Hotspots Magazine