Monster Truck Nationals are returning to Du Quoin

The Southern Illinois Center will roar with the sound of heavy engines once again this weekend, as the Monster Truck Nationals return to the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds.

Six monster trucks - Bigfoot, Raminator, Heavy Hitter, Snakebite, Tailgator and Basher - will compete during three shows starting tonight at 7:30 p.m. There will also be a Saturday matinee at 1 p.m., followed by a 7:30 p.m. show.

"The thing about Du Quoin, we do three performances and sell out all three every year," said event promoter Andy Miller. "People are crazy about monster trucks in Du Quoin. The smaller media markets, people are very enthusiastic about the trucks that come to town."

The Monster Truck Nationals have been a winter tradition in Du Quoin since 2010. Of the lineup, Heavy Hitter and Basher are new this year.

"We'll have a wheelie contest," Miller said. "Each truck will hit the car stack and the crowd will pick the winner."

Miller said the trucks will have a donut contest and then qualifying for the races will begin.

"We will bracket the trucks and have a full bracket of racing with freestyle at the very end," he said.

Before each performance, a free pit party - which must be accompanied by an event ticket for the corresponding show - will take place starting two hours before each event.

Attendees can meet the drivers and get their photos taken with both the trucks and the drivers. The Sergeant Smash Ride Truck will also be available to give both children and adults the ride of a lifetime.

Also included in the event is freestyle FMX, which is a motocross show that will feature tricks like the "Kiss of Death," "Cliffhanger" and a variety of backflip variations.

"We will have freestyle motocross to start the show and coming out of intermission," Miller said.

Advance tickets are $15 for all seats, with day of show tickets at $18. Children 1 and under enter free with a paid ticket.

To purchase tickets, visit www.MonsterTruckNationals.com or charge by phone at 1-888-718-4253.

"I would encourage people to get their tickets early," Miller said. "We have in the past stopped selling tickets due to capacity."

The complete schedule is as follows:

• Friday, Feb. 23

Pit Party: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Show: 7 p.m.

• Saturday, Feb. 24

Pit Party: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Show: 1 p.m.

Pit Party: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Show: 7:30 p.m.