Jim Koehler
Encyclopedia
Jim Koehler born on July 13 1966 is a professional monster truck
driver. He currently drives Avenger
on the USHRA
Monster Jam
circuit.
in November, 1999. The event included the USHRA's first judged freestyle competition, and Koehler scored a 29 out of a possible 30 points to finish behind Tom Meents
in Bulldozer
with a high-energy run that showed the influence of Meents and Dennis Anderson
. When the event aired on TNN in January, the run, combined with Koehler's high-energy pit interviews made him an overnight star on the Monster Jam circuit.
Later that season, Koehler made the highlight reel again in the Louisiana Superdome
in New Orleans with a massive cartwheel crash in the final round of racing against Rob Knell and NWO. That run added to Koehler's already growing reputation as a "wildman", and it earned him a berth in the first ever Monster Jam World Finals
thanks to fan votes.
Koehler continued to maintain his wild reputation, however did not win many freestyles due to often hurting the truck before the end of the allotted time. Some also felt that he was underscored on freestyles due to early draws. However, he was an annual World Finalist and is one of the few drivers to be invited to all twelve. A body change from a Chevy S-10
to a 1957 Chevy Bel Air
also helped to increase his popularity. During this time he also expanded his team to include Brutus, owned and driven by Chris Bergeron
.
In 2003, Koehler won the biggest award of his career, the Monster Jam World Finals Freestyle Championship. It pushed Koehler's popularity through the roof and he has won several freestyles since. He also won this award in 2011, after a 32 point tie with nitro circus. On November 14 2009 he drove the Aussie Avenger in the South Pacific World Finals 2 and won freestyle.
Unlike other owner/drivers, the monster truck is not Koehler's primary job. He owns and operates a marina
in Chesterfield, near his hometown of Columbus, Michigan
.
At the World Finals, Koehler has built up a long standing tradition of swimming in the pool on the track, sometimes even bringing scuba gear. He has also carried over this tradition to a normal show when he dived into the Ride Now! Pool at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.
Off the track Koehler is well known for being fan friendly and for his high-energy interviews. He has come to be known among fans by the nickname "Mr. Excitement".
In 2009, Jim Koehler and Aussie Avenger won the South Pacific World Finals II Freestyle in Australia.
In 2010, Jim Koehler won the freestyle World Finals in Australia.
2003-Present: Brutus (owner and driver: Chris Bergeron)
2007-Present: Wrecking Crew (owner: Jim Koehler and driver: Steve Koehler)
2007-Present: Spike Unleashed (owner: Chris Bergeron and driver: Rich Hilgendorf)
Monster truck
A monster truck is a pickup truck, typically styled after pickup trucks' bodies, modified or purposely built with extremely large wheels and suspension...
driver. He currently drives Avenger
Avenger (truck)
Avenger is a monster truck created by Team Scream Monster Trucks, and is driven by Team Scream's flagship driver Jim Koehler.- History :The truck was created in 1997 by Team Scream. The truck won the Monster Jam Freestyle Championship in 2003. Avenger's driver, Jim Koehler, is often nicknamed "Mr....
on the USHRA
United States Hot Rod Association
The United States Hot Rod Association is an organization owned by Feld Entertainment that markets various motorsports. These include monster trucks as well as motocross, quad racing and others...
Monster Jam
Monster Jam
Monster Jam is a live motorsport event tour and television show operated by Feld Entertainment. The series is sanctioned under the umbrella of the United States Hot Rod Association and takes place primarily in the United States and around the world...
circuit.
Career
Koehler completed Avenger in 1997. Both driver and truck were relative unknowns until a breakout appearance at the Minneapolis Monster Jam event in the MetrodomeHubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University...
in November, 1999. The event included the USHRA's first judged freestyle competition, and Koehler scored a 29 out of a possible 30 points to finish behind Tom Meents
Tom Meents
Tom Meents is a professional monster truck driver. He currently drives Maximum Destruction on the USHRA Monster Jam circuit. He has won several Monster Jam World Finals trophies during his career...
in Bulldozer
Bulldozer (truck)
Bulldozer is a monster truck that races in the USHRA Monster Jam series. It is currently driven by Alex Blackwell. It features one of the first 3-D body shells, with horns sticking out the front. In this respect it resembles El Toro Loco...
with a high-energy run that showed the influence of Meents and Dennis Anderson
Dennis Anderson
Dennis Anderson is a professional monster truck driver. He is the creator and driver of "Grave Digger" on the USHRA Monster Jam circuit. Originally from Norfolk, Virginia, he now resides in Poplar Branch, North Carolina. In Poplar Branch, he has his own shop where he signs autographs and shoots...
. When the event aired on TNN in January, the run, combined with Koehler's high-energy pit interviews made him an overnight star on the Monster Jam circuit.
Later that season, Koehler made the highlight reel again in the Louisiana Superdome
Louisiana Superdome
The Mercedes-Benz Superdome, previously known as the Louisiana Superdome and colloquially known as the Superdome, is a sports and exhibition arena located in the Central Business District of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA...
in New Orleans with a massive cartwheel crash in the final round of racing against Rob Knell and NWO. That run added to Koehler's already growing reputation as a "wildman", and it earned him a berth in the first ever Monster Jam World Finals
Monster Jam World Finals
The Monster Jam World Finals is an annual monster truck event held in late March at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, NV. It is the championship event of the USHRA Monster Jam series. It consists of racing and freestyle segments, and the winner of each is considered the series champion in that...
thanks to fan votes.
Koehler continued to maintain his wild reputation, however did not win many freestyles due to often hurting the truck before the end of the allotted time. Some also felt that he was underscored on freestyles due to early draws. However, he was an annual World Finalist and is one of the few drivers to be invited to all twelve. A body change from a Chevy S-10
Chevrolet S-10
The first compact pickup from General Motors was the rebadged Isuzu KB sold since 1972 as the Chevrolet LUV. The 1973 Arab oil embargo forced GM to consider designing a domestically-produced compact pickup truck. As usual, parts from other GM chassis lines were incorporated. The first S-series...
to a 1957 Chevy Bel Air
Chevrolet Bel Air
The Chevrolet Bel Air is a full-size automobile that was produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors for the 1950–1975 model years. Hardtops in the Chevrolet Deluxe Styleline model range were designated with the Bel Air name from 1950–1952, but it was not a distinct series of its own until...
also helped to increase his popularity. During this time he also expanded his team to include Brutus, owned and driven by Chris Bergeron
Chris Bergeron
Chris Bergeron is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey center who played for various minor league teams for 7 seasons between 1993 and 2000, with the most stints with the Toledo Storm and Cincinnati Cyclones...
.
In 2003, Koehler won the biggest award of his career, the Monster Jam World Finals Freestyle Championship. It pushed Koehler's popularity through the roof and he has won several freestyles since. He also won this award in 2011, after a 32 point tie with nitro circus. On November 14 2009 he drove the Aussie Avenger in the South Pacific World Finals 2 and won freestyle.
Unlike other owner/drivers, the monster truck is not Koehler's primary job. He owns and operates a marina
Marina
A marina is a dock or basin with moorings and supplies for yachts and small boats.A marina differs from a port in that a marina does not handle large passenger ships or cargo from freighters....
in Chesterfield, near his hometown of Columbus, Michigan
Columbus Township, St. Clair County, Michigan
Columbus Township is a civil township of St. Clair County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,615 at the 2000 census.-Communities:...
.
Trademarks
Koehler's freestyles are typically full of momentum and very hectic. He will often hit obstacles at unconventional angles and will "cross-thread" the track, similar to Anderson and Meents. Avenger's soft suspension often leads to the truck getting into contorted positions which other trucks cannot manage. Koehler uses this to his advantage, and his strongest move is his ability to save the truck from a rollover, which results in long "side surf" two-wheel runs.At the World Finals, Koehler has built up a long standing tradition of swimming in the pool on the track, sometimes even bringing scuba gear. He has also carried over this tradition to a normal show when he dived into the Ride Now! Pool at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.
Off the track Koehler is well known for being fan friendly and for his high-energy interviews. He has come to be known among fans by the nickname "Mr. Excitement".
Awards
USHRA Monster Jam World Finals Freestyle Champion - 2003, 2011In 2009, Jim Koehler and Aussie Avenger won the South Pacific World Finals II Freestyle in Australia.
In 2010, Jim Koehler won the freestyle World Finals in Australia.
Team
1997-Present: Avenger (owner and driver: Jim Koehler)2003-Present: Brutus (owner and driver: Chris Bergeron)
2007-Present: Wrecking Crew (owner: Jim Koehler and driver: Steve Koehler)
2007-Present: Spike Unleashed (owner: Chris Bergeron and driver: Rich Hilgendorf)