Avenger
The Avenger will take to the dirt this weekend at the USHRA Monster Jam event in the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, MO.
The Avenger monster truck was launched into the public spotlight in 1997. In the 14 years the truck has been racing, it has become one of the most recognizable and popular trucks on the Monster Jam cicuit. Driven by Jim Koehler, the Avenger is the only Monster Jam truck to compete in every Monster Jam World Finals with the same driver.
Avenger originally started out with a Chevy S-10 body style but after some time on the circuit, Jim decided to change things up and go for a new look. He chose a 1957 Chevy Belair body style for the Avenger and has since become a fan favorite among the Monster Jam trucks. The truck features a Blown 575 Chevrolet Big Block engine, 1,800 horsepower and has a Coan/Bewick Turbo 400 transmission. The truck istelf is massive standing 10 feet tall and 12 feet wide with 66 inch tires and a weight registering around 9,500 pounds.
Avenger - Driver: Jim Koehler Mr Koehler had dreamed of building his own truck and competing in Monster Jam. After working on the original Avenger for a year or two, he competed for the first time in 1997. Since 199, Jim and the Avenger have competed in every World Finals, winning the World Freestyle Championship in 2003. Most recently, he competed in the Monster Jam Wold Finals in Las Vegas.
About Avenger’s Driver: Jim Koehler
Jim Koehler was born July 13, 1966. After building the Avenger, he got to realize his dream of competing in the USHRA Monster Jam circuit in 1997. After two years of successfully racing, he gained recognition within the circuit and the fans when he competed in the first judged freestyle competition where he scored a 29 out of a possible 30 only finishing behind Tom Meents in the truck, Bulldozer. Since that time he has been a fan favorite and garnered a reputation as a "wildman" due to his highlight reel finishes in the freestyle competitions.
Jim is not only the driver, he is the owner and builder of the truck as well. The Avenger is the main truck of Team Scream, which also races four other trucks including Brutus, a truck famous for being shaped like a dog. In 2003, Koehler had the biggest win of his career, winning the Monster Jam World Finals Freesstyle Championship. His popularity among fans skyrocketed and has now won several freestyles since.
Unlike other drivers and owners, competing in the monster truck cicuit is not his primary job. He owns and maintains a marina in Chesterfield, Michigan, near the city he grew up in Columbus, Michigan.
Avenger Sponsors
The Avenger is sponsored by Juggle.com, Hot Wheels, Speed Channel, RJS Racing Equipment, Coan Powersports, Lucas Oil, ISP, Wiseco Performance Products, Aristo Cast, B&M, Modern Stripping, Kinsler, Burkard, Boyce Equipment, Masters Tool & Dies, Van Fiberglass and Crossroads. Additional supporters and sponsors include PTM Corporation, SNS Chrome, Bewick Transmission, Bell Helmets, Aurora Bearing Company, Auto-Air Colors, SATA, GreenGrease.net, Dynamic Speed Center, Smullen Fire Trucks, UBI Sott and Visit Las Vegas.