GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – The roar of engines and flying dirt may define Monster Jam, but ultimately it’s the people behind the helmets who make the event special.
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“It’s an absolutely awesome experience,” Kewaunee racer Brandan Tulachka said. “You can actually feel the trucks inside your body from the noise and vibration, and you can also smell the fumes.”
The annual event at the Resch Center brings together drivers from across the country, including a pair of local siblings carrying on a family tradition.
Kewaunee natives Mikayla and Brandan Tulachka say monster truck driving is more than a profession; it’s a family legacy.
“Our dad started about 20 years ago,” Mikayla said. “Once my brother turned 18, he built his own truck. Then, when I turned 18, we built the shark truck, and it’s been a work in progress ever since.”
Despite their shared background, the siblings admit that competition between them has intensified.
“It’s been getting a little more heated now that she’s pulling the stunts I taught her,” Brandan Tulachka said. “And she’s doing better than me sometimes, so I’m trying to change it up a lot.”
Mikayla Tulachka said the rivalry extends beyond the track.
“If I beat him, he gets to sleep on the floor, or I get the shower first — whatever it takes,” Mikayla said. “But it’s a fun game we get to play on and off the track, and it’s great to be next to him on the track.”
Still, both drivers say their ambitions go beyond winning competitions. They hope to inspire young fans watching from the stands.
“You know, I started on a little pedal bike,” Brandan said. “So, from a pedal bike to a dirt bike to a side-by-side, if you have dreams, follow them. That’s all it takes.”
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Mikayla Tulachka echoed that message.
“I think my goal is just to be a spokesperson and share that you can do whatever you want,” Mikayla said. “If you want to be an astronaut, a teacher, a Monster Jam driver, set your heart and dreams toward it and work hard.”
