JOLIET, IL (June 28) – Firecrackers, Roman candles and bottle rockets won’t be the only fireworks Chicagoans will see this Independence Day weekend. The Traxxas T-Maxx™ is on its way to Route 66 Raceway to ignite Saturday’s Monster Mash.

That’s right, monster truck fans, USHRA Fan Choice Award winner John Seasock will drive the larger-than-life-size version of Traxxas’ #1-selling R/C monster truck against Sudden Impact®, Raminator®, And-Moor®, Airborne Ranger®, and Route 66 Raceway’s Stars and Stripes® Saturday evening at the semi-banked, ½-mile oval.

Traxxas, the leader in Ready-To-Race® radio-control models, has broken new ground this year by bursting into the earth-shaking world of monster truck competition. Thousands of proud T-Maxx owners now have the opportunity to cheer the full-size version of the world’s premier four-wheel-drive R/C monster truck to victory.

“We’re excited and looking forward to getting out there and having at it,” Seasock said Wednesday. “We rolled over pretty bad at Route 66 Raceway last October, so we’re going to turn things around this time. My birthday is Sunday, and winning the Monster Mash would be a good way to celebrate.”

Seasock, who has won five United States Hot Rod Association races this year, knows he and the T-Maxx will have to perform flawlessly to beat the strong monster trucks awaiting them at Route 66 Raceway.

“Mike (Hoy, the team’s crew chief) and I have been working hard on the T-Maxx,” Seasock said. “It’s Ready-to-Race®, just like Traxxas’ T-Maxx R/C monster truck.

“It’s always good to go up against my teammate (Sudden Impact driver Brandon Lagarde). He beat me (in the Monster Mash) last year, but he won’t beat me this year. Raminator is always tough. He’s fast everywhere he goes. I haven’t competed against Airborne Ranger or Stars and Stripes lately, but they’re good, too. We’ll do our best; we’re going to take it one round at a time. I’m up for any challenge they give me.”

The massive, 10,000-pound monster trucks with 66-inch tires will (appropriately) race on a Chicago-style course. The freestyle competition will take place on a figure-eight layout equipped with jumps and plenty of cars to crush.

Seasock will also display the Traxxas T-Maxx, meet monster truck fans and sign autographs at the Jewel store in New Lenox, IL, Friday between 4pm and 7pm.

Fans will have the opportunity to meet the drivers, get up close and personal with the trucks and even ride in a monster truck during the Monster Mash Pit Party Saturday, starting at 4 pm. Fans who purchase their Monster Mash tickets in advance can attend the Pit Party free of charge. Tickets to the Pit Party cost $5 for fans purchasing their Monster Mash tickets Saturday. Monster Mash tickets cost $20 for adults and $5 for children aged 12 or younger. The Route 66 Raceway gates will open for the Monster Mash at 5pm.