Women may be a rarity in the world of monster truck competitions. But, then Dawn Cretan is a rare woman. In fact, when she is not busy ferrying her four kids, Hope, 13, Faith, 12, Journey, 6 and son Jett, 2 around her home town of Tonganoxie, KS, in her Chrysler Aspen, this 39 year old housewife is off racing her 1,800 hp truck Scarlet Bandit
at Monster Jams across the country.
“She’s just a natural,” says husband/teammate Jimmy Creten, 46, who runs their 2Xtreme Racing Team.
Jimmy also admits that she is also a fierce competitor on the occasions when she races her “Scarlett Bandit” against his “Bounty Hunter.”
“Dawn’s always real close to me, and sometimes she’s taken me out,” he says proudly.
“I race as hard as I can against him,” she acknowledges. “For me to beat Jimmy is a great accomplishment. The other participants love when I beat him.”
Dawn, who will be competing in the Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam this weekend at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale (Long Island), NY, captured the Phoenix Monster Jam two years in a row (2004 & 2005), as well as won the 2004 Crash Madness Award from the US Hot Rod Association for her front flip at Reliant Stadium in Houston. She also came in second at the 2008 Monster Jam Finals.
The Monster Jams feature 10,000 pound monster trucks, with 1,500-2,000 roaring engines with 66-in tall tires, racing and doing freestyle tricks such as jumping over cars, flips, full spins (doughnuts) and wheelies.
Fans will be able to come out and see how well the Cretens do against each other, as well as other notable Monster Jam stars such as The Grave Digger, El Toro Loco, and Monster Mutt beginning Friday January 25 at 7:30 pm. Additional events will be held Saturday the 26th at 2pm and 7:30pm and again Sunday January 27th at 7:30. Admission is $30-$75 for adults, and $15 for kids 2-12. Anyone interested in attending the pre-show Pit Stop where they can get a close-up look at the trucks and meet the drivers will have to pay $10 extra.
For more information call the Nassau Coliseum at 800 745-3000 or go online to monsterjam.com.
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