Monster Jam is invading Denver this weekend at the Pepsi Center. Between the dirt, trucks and all the guys, some people might say it's no place for a lady.
But Krysten Anderson said they're completely wrong. The 20-year-old is the first female driver to get behind the wheel of the iconic Grave Digger truck.
"I think it's really awesome for Monster Jam to have males and females compete on the same platform in the same trucks and in the same competition," she said. "I've had a really positive response and it's been really good for my confidence in the truck all year."
She may be new to driving but she's not new to the business.
"I'm really used to growing up in a male-dominated world and a male-dominated industry," she said.
Krysten's dad, Dennis Anderson, is a Monster Truck legend. He drove his truck Grave Digger for 35 years and just retired.
"My dad is pumped," she said. "He's been real supportive of me and calls me after every show. I just want to make my dad proud, the Grave Digger name proud, I want to make his fans proud. It's a really big deal and a really big responsibility. It took 35 years to put a female into the seat of this truck."
So she's doing it her way. Flipping the switch on what a Monster Jam driver looks like.
"I've tried to create an image where you don't have to be Tom boy to do this," she said. "You can love to dress up, you can get your nails done, do your makeup, get your hair done... all that."
And she's also sending a message to girls everywhere.
"Don't feel intimidated and don't let males count you out, don't let boys count you out or feel like you have to live in the shadow of a man because I'm putting the boys in my shadow, especially this weekend," she said.
Krysten is the only woman competing this weekend in Monster Jam. Out of nearly 90 drivers she is one of 16 women. Her two brothers also compete. If she wins this series, she could head to the world finals and compete against them there!
