Lee and Karen Duquette
at their 6th Monster Jam Pit Party to Meet and Greet the
Drivers.
This time they were at The Gas South Arena in Duluth, Georgia
September 1, 2024
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The Gas South
Arena (originally known as the Gwinnett Civic Center Arena, later known
as The Arena at Gwinnett Center and Infinite Energy Arena) is an indoor
arena in Duluth, Georgia. It is located approximately 22 miles northeast
of Atlanta. The arena is one of the many venues within the "Gas
South District", which also includes a convention center with
an events hall and a performing arts center. It is the home of the ECHL's
Atlanta Gladiators and the Georgia Swarm, a professional box lacrosse
team in the National Lacrosse League. |
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Below: As Lee and Karen Duquette were
approaching the Gas South Arena entrance, which was not even open yet,
(they are usually the first people in line at these events) Karen noticed
some kind of a very special event being held nearby, so she used her
zoom lens to take a couple of photos. |
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Below: After waiting about
an hour for the door to open into the arena, it was finally time to
meet and greet the drivers and view the Monster Trucks once again. On
this date, Alex Bardin was the Just Get-Er-Done driver, (the
only driver here today that was new to Karen and Lee, but they have
seen the Grave Digger Monster Truck in the past, so only the driver
was new to them.) Trucks and drivers are not listed at the time that
Monster Jam tickets are purchased. It is usually quite a bit later before
that information is posted. |
Previously,
the drivers signed her flag, which is now full, and shown below. So,
on this date, Karen Duquette brought a book for the drivers to sign.
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Tyler Menninga was the Grave Digger driver,
(just as he was on July 28th). |
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Below: El Toro Loco Monster Truck |
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Below: Surprisingly, Chelsea
VanCleave, the driver of El Toro Loco Monster Truck on this date, remembered
Karen Duquette from the July 28 Monster Jam. Chelsea wanted to give
Karen a big hug. |
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Below: Chelsea VanCleave signed
Karen Duquette's new Monster Truck book and then called Lee Duquette
in for a photo. |
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Below: Then Karen Duquette
approached Kraken and Excaliber drivers, (the brothers) Nick and Michael
Pagliarulo, who also recognized Karen from the July 28th Pit Party. |
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Below: Kracken Monster Truck that Nick
drove on this date and Excaliber Monster Truck that Mike drove on this
date. |
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Below: Nick and Mike Pagliarulo signing
Karen Duquette's new Book |
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Below: Nick and Mike Pagliarulo with Lee
and Karen Duquette |
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Below: Loghan Ashline, driver
of Monster Mutt Dalmatian, also recognized Karen Duquette and they had
time for a brief conversation. |
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Below: Tony Ochs, driver of ThunderROARus
and Karen Duquette |
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Below: This was
the first time Karen met Alex Bardin, driver of Just Get-Er-Done
on this date. Although Karen has seen Just Get-Er-Done at
two other events with Brandan Tulachka as the driver and Megalodon was
driven by Mikayla Tulachka, Brandan's sister. And at another event,
Megalodon was driven by Ashley Sanford.
But on this date, Karen Duquette had Brandon Tulachka,
driver of Megalodon and Alex Bardin, driver of Just Get-Er-Done
sign her book. |
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Below: As usual, after getting
all the signatures, Lee and Karen Duquette took a walk around the arena
to get different views of the pits. |
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Below: Then Lee Duquette wanted to find
his assigned seat. |
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