2008 Elite Series Bluegrass Brawl – Kevin VanDam

This photo gallery features images of Kevin Vandam at the 2008 Elite Series Bluegrass Brawl.

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Kevin VanDam signs autographs as he makes his way to the ramp with his Toyota Tundra and Nitro bass boat.
Kevin VanDam signs autographs as he makes his way to the ramp with his Toyota Tundra and Nitro bass boat.
Kevin VanDam scans the bank for his co-angler on Day One of the Bluegrass Brawl presented by DieHard Platinum Marine Batteries.
Kevin VanDam scans the bank for his co-angler on Day One of the Bluegrass Brawl presented by DieHard Platinum Marine Batteries.
Tournament leader Kevin VanDam caught the 6-pound, 7-ounce Purolator Big Bass on Day One.
Tournament leader Kevin VanDam caught the 6-pound, 7-ounce Purolator Big Bass on Day One.
Kevin VanDam is nonchalant as he's interviewed at the weigh-in. VanDam was the first angler to weigh in, coming to the scales an hour early.
Kevin VanDam is nonchalant as he’s interviewed at the weigh-in. VanDam was the first angler to weigh in, coming to the scales an hour early.
Kevin VanDam (First, 24-13) day one weigh-in
Kevin VanDam (First, 24-13) day one weigh-in
Kevin VanDam (left) and Davy Hite work on customizing lures for Day Two of the Bluegrass Brawl. VanDam is the Day One leader and Hite is mired in 83rd.
Kevin VanDam (left) and Davy Hite work on customizing lures for Day Two of the Bluegrass Brawl. VanDam is the Day One leader and Hite is mired in 83rd.
Kevin VanDam backs his rig down the ramp at the Village Lake Dam Marina for the day two launch.
Kevin VanDam backs his rig down the ramp at the Village Lake Dam Marina for the day two launch.
During Day Two, Kevin VanDam was power fishing, trying to build on his Day One lead.
During Day Two, Kevin VanDam was power fishing, trying to build on his Day One lead.
During Day Two, VanDam hooks up with a good fish, and his co-angler puts down his rod to give an assist.
During Day Two, VanDam hooks up with a good fish, and his co-angler puts down his rod to give an assist.
VanDam moves to the livewell to cull a smaller fish caught earlier in the day.
VanDam moves to the livewell to cull a smaller fish caught earlier in the day.
VanDam pulls another fish into the boat that fell victim to the Strike King Sexy Shad.
VanDam pulls another fish into the boat that fell victim to the Strike King Sexy Shad.
VanDam tosses back a non-keeper.
VanDam tosses back a non-keeper.
VanDam slows down and decides to pick apart the structure with a Carolina-rig.
VanDam slows down and decides to pick apart the structure with a Carolina-rig.
Day Two weigh-in: Kevin VanDam (1st, 21-9)
Day Two weigh-in: Kevin VanDam (1st, 21-9)
Day Two weigh-in: Kevin VanDam (1st, 21-9)
Day Two weigh-in: Kevin VanDam (1st, 21-9)
Kevin VanDam makes final adjustments to his gear. He goes into Day Three in the lead, a spot he has held since Day One.
Kevin VanDam makes final adjustments to his gear. He goes into Day Three in the lead, a spot he has held since Day One.
Kevin VanDam has led both days of the Bluegrass Brawl on Kentucky Lake, and was firing away on Day Three.
Kevin VanDam has led both days of the Bluegrass Brawl on Kentucky Lake, and was firing away on Day Three.
VanDam had a limit early in the day and said he thought he had about 18 pounds in the live well.
VanDam had a limit early in the day and said he thought he had about 18 pounds in the live well.
VanDam was power fishing with a crankbait, but occasionally slowed down to probe isolated cover with a jig or plastic worm.
VanDam was power fishing with a crankbait, but occasionally slowed down to probe isolated cover with a jig or plastic worm.
VanDam pulls another fish into the boat on his favored crankbait, a Strike King
VanDam pulls another fish into the boat on his favored crankbait, a Strike King “Sexy Shad.”
VanDam moves north to fish some locations he had been saving, after several of his spots had been driven over on Day Two by competing fishermen that had marked the spots on their onboard GPS units.
VanDam moves north to fish some locations he had been saving, after several of his spots had been driven over on Day Two by competing fishermen that had marked the spots on their onboard GPS units.
As Day Three comes to a close, Kevin VanDam is one of the first pros back to the weigh-in as the first flight arrives.
As Day Three comes to a close, Kevin VanDam is one of the first pros back to the weigh-in as the first flight arrives.
Kevin VanDam sacks up one more reason why he has led the Bluegrass Brawl through each day of the event, taking it wire-to-wire going into the final day.
Kevin VanDam sacks up one more reason why he has led the Bluegrass Brawl through each day of the event, taking it wire-to-wire going into the final day.
The end of Day Three Kevin VanDam jumps from the bow of his boat headed to weigh in. He has led the Bluegrass Brawl wire to wire and holds a 6 pound, 13 ounce lead over Rick Clunn.
The end of Day Three Kevin VanDam jumps from the bow of his boat headed to weigh in. He has led the Bluegrass Brawl wire to wire and holds a 6 pound, 13 ounce lead over Rick Clunn.
The end of Day Three Rick Clunn and Kevin VanDam stand for media photos on stage. The final day of the Bluegrass Brawl will go down in history as one of BASS' most exciting events.
The end of Day Three Rick Clunn and Kevin VanDam stand for media photos on stage. The final day of the Bluegrass Brawl will go down in history as one of BASS’ most exciting events.
Day Three weigh-in: Kevin VanDam (First, 68-4)
Day Three weigh-in: Kevin VanDam (First, 68-4)
Kevin VanDam makes final lure selections as the final launch of the Bluegrass Brawl nears. VanDam has led the event wire to wire and will be the first to launch at the Kentucky Dam Marina.
Kevin VanDam makes final lure selections as the final launch of the Bluegrass Brawl nears. VanDam has led the event wire to wire and will be the first to launch at the Kentucky Dam Marina.
Clunn (left) and VanDam talk casually just moments before take off. These two have turned the Bluegrass Brawl into the must see event of the year.
Clunn (left) and VanDam talk casually just moments before take off. These two have turned the Bluegrass Brawl into the must see event of the year.
Kevin VanDam has led the Bluegrass Brawl from the beginning, and has almost a 7-pound lead over second place angler Rick Clunn.
Kevin VanDam has led the Bluegrass Brawl from the beginning, and has almost a 7-pound lead over second place angler Rick Clunn.
Kevin VanDam's winning weight is announced, and the 14-time BASS winner celebrates with a fist-pump.
Kevin VanDam’s winning weight is announced, and the 14-time BASS winner celebrates with a fist-pump.
Kevin VanDam (1st, 16-9, 84-13)
Kevin VanDam (1st, 16-9, 84-13)
BASS Tournament Director Trip Weldon presents Kevin VanDam with the winner's trophy.
BASS Tournament Director Trip Weldon presents Kevin VanDam with the winner’s trophy.
With a win in the Bluegrass Brawl, Kevin VanDam has his second victory of 2008, his fourth in the 3-year history of the Elite Series and the 14th tour-level triumph of his illustrious career.
With a win in the Bluegrass Brawl, Kevin VanDam has his second victory of 2008, his fourth in the 3-year history of the Elite Series and the 14th tour-level triumph of his illustrious career.