For Monster Truck Team Monsters On a Mission, God & Fun Just Go Together
- Feb 9, 2010
 Rock Solid Monster Truck |
 Indoor Monster Truck Arena |
It all started actually, because Joey has always had a need for speed, learned by necessity whatever he didn't already know in order to become an ace mechanic, once owned a retail truck lot, married a woman he loves and respects (and who would catch the fever and become a Monster Truck driver).
When we caught up with Joey and Melissa, they were heading to the next event of the year & shared that they had already traveled 9,000 miles in the last MONTH alone, had competed in 12 events, and were loving every minute of it! That's just a big WOW. It is also a testament to their slogan, "Extreme Faith Based Motorsports." When they are not on the road traveling to the next show, they are raising event funding so they can continue uniting communities and churches with free faith based family entertainment for those less fortunate.
 God Guts & Glory flying K&N flag |
"We are every day Joe's who have a relationship with Jesus Christ, believe that God & fun go together, and are seeing first hand that our unique form of ministry is making a difference among adults and kids who sometimes otherwise may never be exposed to our message of faith", says Joey. Melissa added, "I've run in events where I rolled the truck, beat out big names like Big Foot, but nothing, and I mean NOTHING compares to the smiles on the little kids faces who may have not been fortunate enough to experience monster trucks, and the LOVE of Jesus!"
 Monster Truck God Guts & Glory |
Joey actually has been an active racer among many sanctioning bodies including USHRA, NHRA, HBA, NBTA, AMTA to name a few. He was actually the one referenced earlier who crashed at 150 MPH, hyper extending his neck, and having to literally use caution with every movement he made for two and ½ years in order to circumvent becoming a quadriplegic. Bottom line? He took care of himself, did a lot of healing, and got involved in the automotive business with a retail truck lot. Their teenage son (Joey Stathas III) spotted an old retired monster truck, convinced dad to buy it, and they used it as a marketing tool to bring people to the lot. Over time, the racer in Joey took charge, they purchased another truck, did an overhaul, and just a few short months later, the truck Rock Solid was driving in monster truck events.
 Monster Truck Awesome |
So you say, how did Melissa enter the picture? One day she approached husband Joey, and said "If you can do something to make this truck REALLY strong, I believe I'd like to drive it in competition." Joey just laughed, thinking, "My beautiful blonde wife driving a monster truck?" Days and days passed, when she decided to bring it up again. Joey looked at her incredulous, and said "are you really serious?" She said she was, the truck experienced a makeover, and then the day came for her to do her first run. "Well, we pulled it out into a big field, I climbed up, strapped myself in, and proceeded to hyperventilate. I'm claustrophobic, you see, but Joey just urged me to relax, so that when I finally did, and began to see what the truck would do, was immediately hooked. That was 10 years ago!"
 Nail It Monster Truck |
Melissa and son (Nick) became pretty active on the tour circuit until said son decided to marry longtime sweetheart Jazmine, leaving shows already booked with no one to drive. But never fear! The racer in Joey, never fully dormant, stepped back in, confident his neck was fully healed and capable of taking the pounding only a monster truck can dish out. That was two years ago.
"We actually began trying to get a sponsorship with K&N not long after I started driving again," said Joey. "Throughout my entire racing career, and even after the accident, I've always used K&N…they're the best in the business. But when they came out with their super light weight Kevlar filter that helps keep the hat on top of the blower motor, we REALLY needed them, but found out they were only available to sponsors." Melissa added, "It took us a while, but when Bob at K&N came to understand what our mission is all about, he got us a deal, and we are extremely thankful for their constant support." And today, the husband and wife team are still going strong, thankful for every day they have to share the message of Jesus Christ with all new audiences within the United States and beyond.
"We have been truly blessed with five trucks, incredible product sponsors and the grace of God," concludes the Stathas Monsters on a Mission team."
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