<p>The inaugural Monster Truck Show at the Johnson County 4-H Fair on Wednesday is shaping up to be, well, a monster.</p>
<p>Scott Hartsock, one of the main attractions in the monster circuit, is one of five drivers competing. Hartsock, who resides in tiny Bushnell, Florida, drives the Gun Slinger and is stopping in Franklin as part of a series of Midwestern shows he’s involved in.</p>
<p>“It’s crazy, but it’s kind of on luck,” said show promoter JR Rouse, owner of Full Throttle Monster Trucks in Rushville. “Scott happens to be in this area for some very large shows. Him being here is a very big deal.</p>
<p>“Scott actually was at Lucas Oil Stadium this past February. His truck has great graphics, and he is a very tough racer who wins a lot of events.”</p>[sc:text-divider text-divider-title="Story continues below gallery" ]
<p>Hartsock and Evansville’s Roger Gauger headline the fair’s return to showcasing monster trucks. However, Wednesday’s event is much more significant than the two-truck exhibitions of a few years ago.</p>
<p>Gauger will drive his USA-1 truck, a 2015 Chevy Silverado. Completing the field are Rich Blackburn in the Demon, Scott Bryant’s Quadzilla and the Stomper driven by Dalton Van Skyhawk.</p>
<p>Competitions include wheelies, monster truck racing and a freestyle event where each driver gets three minutes to draw as many oohs and ahhs from those present as possible with daring driving. Wheelies, donuts and other crowd-pleasers are sure to be included.</p>
<p>The spectators vote on a winner.</p>
<p>This summer is the 27th year Gauger has been involved in monster trucks. In 1991 he and his new bride, Kathy, stopped in Kingsport, Tennessee, to pick up their first truck on their way back from honeymooning in Gatlinburg.</p>
<p>A full-time construction worker, Gauger, 55, competes in monster trucks on a part-time basis. He currently does some Monster Jam shows, but enjoys the intimacy of the county fair circuit. In all, Gauger is on the road for approximately 20 shows per year.</p>
<p>“With fairs it’s more of a personal one-on-one where fans get to come down and talk to the driver,” Gauger said. “That’s very important because we need the fans to have the opportunity to run.”</p>
<p>Monster trucks weigh 10,000 pounds, are 12 feet tall and powered by 800-horsepower engines. The massive tires are 66 inches high and 43 inches wide. Each tire costs approximately $2,500.</p>
<p>Rouse is hoping for an impressive turnout at the fairgrounds. Should he get his wish, there’s a likelihood of monster truck shows returning in the future.</p>
<p>“For a county fair, five trucks is about average,” he said. “The amount of prize money always determines the amount of trucks you can bring in. If the crowd comes out and supports it, this will be a brand new show.”</p>[sc:pullout-title pullout-title="If you go" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p>If you go</p>
<p>What: Monster Truck Show</p>
<p>When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.</p>
<p>Where: Johnson County 4-H Fair</p>
<p>Order of competitions: Monster truck wheelies, mini monster race, monster truck racing (round 1), full throttle shootout (round 1), monster truck racing (round 2), full throttle shootout (round 2), monster truck racing finals, mini monster freestyle, monster truck freestyle.</p>
<p>Admission: $10 per person</p>[sc:pullout-text-end]
