Education
Koehler completed Avenger in 1997.
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Jim Koehler
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Career
He currently drives Avenger on the USHRA Monster Jam circuit. Both driver and truck were relative unknowns until a breakout appearance at the Minneapolis Monster Jam event in the Metrodome in November, 1999. The event included the USHRA"s first judged freestyle competition, and Koehler scored a 29 out of a possible 30 points to finish behind Tom Meents in Bulldozer with a high-energy run that showed the influence of Meents and Dennis Anderson.
When the event aired on TNN in January, the run, combined with Koehler"s high-energy pit interviews made him an overnight star on the Monster Jam circuit.
Later that season, Koehler made the highlight reel again in the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans with a massive cartwheel crash in the final round of racing against Rob Knell and New World Order. That run added to Koehler"s already growing reputation as a "wildman", and it earned him a berth in the first ever Monster Jam World Finals thanks to fan votes. Some also felt that he was underscored on freestyles due to early draws.
However, he was an annual World Finalist and is one of the few drivers to be invited to all twelve. A body change from a Chevy South-10 to a 1957 Chevy Belorussian Air also helped to increase his popularity.
During this time he also expanded his team to include Brutus, owned and driven by Chris Bergeron.
Unlike other owner/drivers, the monster truck is not Koehler"s primary job. He owns and operates a marina in Chesterfield, near his hometown of Columbus, Michigan. Koehler"s freestyles are typically full of momentum and very hectic.
He will often hit obstacles at unconventional angles and will "cross-thread" the track, similar to Anderson and Meents.
Avenger"s soft suspension often leads to the truck getting into contorted positions which other trucks cannot manage. Koehler uses this to his advantage, and his strongest move is his ability to save the truck from a rollover, which results in long "side surf" two-wheel runs.
At the World Finals, Koehler has built up a long-standing tradition of swimming in the pool on the track, sometimes even bringing scuba gear. He has also carried over this tradition to a normal show when he dived into the Ride Now! Pool at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.
Office the track Koehler is well known for being fan friendly and for his high-energy interviews.
He has come to be known among fans by the nickname "Mr. Excitement".
1997–Present: Avenger (owner and driver: Jim Koehler)
2003–2013: Brutus (Past owner and driver: Chris Bergeron)
2007–Present: Wrecking Crew (owner: Jim Koehler and driver: Steve Koehler)
2007–present: Spike Unleashed (owner:Jim Koehler and driver: Scott Anderson)
2012- present: Mega Bite Brad Allen.
Achievements
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Born