By Joe Contreras, Latin Life Denver Media

At just 23 years old Anthony Ritter has already won nearly 50 Hot Wheels Monster Truck championships and is looking to adding another when the Hot Wheels Monster Truck Live comes to Denver this weekend, July 11 & 12.

“These are real competitions, with serious rivalries, they are not staged, its the real deal,” Ritter told Latin Life Denver Media. There are seven trucks competing in all and while Ritter has driven other monster trucks, including Tiger Shark and Five Alarm he is the first to drive Hot Wheels newest vehicle ‘Rinomite’ . The truck’s name is the words “rhino” and “dynamite” mashed together, hence the name “Rhinomite”.

The truck was first produced and released as a toy for the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks line in 2021, before becoming a real life truck in 2026. Anthony Ritter’s version is the only one to have orange rims. Rhinomite is a custom 3D rhinoceros themed monster truck owned by Hot Wheels will be making its first Denver appearance this weekend.

“The huge rhinoceros horn in front of the truck is what makes this vehicle more challenging to maneuver,” said Ritter, adding, “It’s hard to see the obstacles in front of you as you approach a jump or other stunt with any monster truck but having that horn right in front of vision makes it even more difficult,” he said.

The altitude of the Mile High City also makes driving these monster trucks difficult. “We have to re-tune these trucks for elevation, adjust the shocks and other alterations. We lose some horsepower so we have to adjust for that.

Anthony Ritter was a mechanic before becoming a crew chief and eventually a driver, so he knows these trucks inside and out.

Ritter hopes audiences, young and old, boy as well as girls are inspired by the show and by him to pursue their dreams and aspirations. As a boy Ritter loved Monster Truck toys and it became a dream of his to drive a real monster truck someday. He volunteered at local fairgrounds car shows learning about the cars and trucks that surrounded him. He still collects the Hot Wheels toy trucks. “I have like 300 of them and I am always looking for the latest truck every time I go into a grocery store.”

Now, Ritter is living the dream. “it is so much fun driving these trucks, flying through the air is like being on an amusement ride that takes you high up in the air and then just drops you, It’s that kind of feeling he said.

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live™: Glow-N-Fire is produced by Family Entertainment Live and brings fans’ favorite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks to life including Mega Wrex™, Tiger Shark™, HW 5-Alarm™, Bone Shaker™, Bigfoot®, Skelesaurus™, and includes FMX riders performing high-flying stunts and a fire-breathing, car crushing robot dinosaur.  Special kids pricing is available for all shows providing a BIG value for the whole family! 

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live is taking the VIP experience to the next level with three all-new packages for the 2026 Glow-N-Fire tour! Fans can choose from Full Throttle VIP, Pedal to the Metal VIP, and Start Your Engine VIP — each featuring exclusive access to the Pre-Show Party, official VIP merchandise, and a chance to see the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks up close and personal before all the smashing and crashing goes down.

The ultimate Full Throttle VIP package includes front-row seats, a backstage tour with the host of Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live, and an up-close-and-personal meet & greet with a Monster Truck driver and FMX driver. VIP packages are limited and available to purchase while supplies last.

Hot Wheels fans also have the chance to participate in the Pre-Show Party, held two and a half hours prior to every performance. This unique experience provides fans access to the arena floor where they can get up close and see the outrageous designs and epic size of the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks along with autograph signings from their favorite drivers and performers. Each Pre-Show Party ticket includes an autograph card, exclusive to Pre-Show Party attendees. Passes will be available to purchase while supplies last. 

Anthony Ritter said he hopes everyone takes home an experience and memories they will talk about for days and years to come.

Tickets and event information are available at www.hotwheelsmonstertruckslive.com.  

Show times are as follows: 

Saturday, July 11, 11:30AM / Pre-Show Party – 9AM-10:15AM

Saturday, July 11, 6:30PM / Pre-Show Party – 4PM – 5:15PM

Sunday, July 12, 1:30PM / Pre-Show Party – 11AM – 12:15PM