The Stars Of The Show
Have you ever wondered what makes monster trucks such an unmatched spectacle? Maybe it's the roar of the engine, the thrill of the crowd... or perhaps the skill behind the wheel. The monster truck game wouldn't be what it is today without legendary drivers constantly upping the ante. Here’s the story of the monster truck drivers who shaped the game and why they won't soon be forgotten.
VIP Experiences | Todd LeDuc | Monster Jam by Monster Jam
1. Dennis Anderson (Grave Digger)
In 1982, Dennis Anderson created Grave Digger, and with it, he brought monster trucks to life. It was a turning point when he launched the truck into the air at the 1987 World Finals, and it landed in a wild flip. That flip became a signature stunt. Anderson’s fearless approach captured fans’ hearts with every show.
RyC - Behind The Lens from San Francisco, United States of America on Wikimedia
2. Bob Chandler (Bigfoot)
Chandler made history when he introduced Bigfoot, the first truck to ever crush a car in front of an audience. This stunt was considered the beginning of the monster truck movement and sparked a whole new craze. Chandler didn’t stop there. His innovations, like adding huge tires, made Bigfoot the face of the once-burgeoning sport.
3. Lupe Soza (El Toro Loco)
Lupe Soza’s famous backflips with El Toro Loco elevated the sport to new heights. Capable of expertly tackling all manner of tracks—whether smooth or full of obstacles—Lupe Soza was quickly able to set himself apart from the rest of the industry. That control, combined with his fearless style, earned him consistent high scores, including a standout 27-point freestyle in 2004.
Monster Jam - World Finals 2011 - Lupe Soza at the Awards Ceremony by FELDMotorSports
4. Tom Meents (Maximum Destruction)
After multiple world championships and countless jaw-dropping stunts, Meents became one of the most dominant drivers in the sport. Tom Meents’ moment of monster truck immortality came in 2003 when he won his first Monster Jam World Finals title by driving Maximum Destruction. Meents was never afraid to take risks with his flips, jumps, and aerial maneuvers.
Chris Barnes from Derbyshire, England on Wikimedia
5. Charlie Pauken (Monster Mutt)
Monster Mutt became the first truck to win both Freestyle and Racing titles at the same event. Pauken’s driving was all about balancing showmanship with precision—he mastered the art of wild stunts using calculated moves. Pauken’s consistent success made his Dog-themed truck a part of the Monster Jam lineup.
Monster Mutt driver Charlie Pauken - Monster Jam World Finals XVII by Monster Jam
6. David Smith (King Krunch)
David Smith made his mark in the monster truck world in 1994 when he drove King Krunch to victory at the Monster Jam World Finals. Smooth control and ability to nail tricky landings made Smith one of the first drivers to demonstrate that monster truck racing wasn’t just about crashing—it was about skill.
7. Terry Woodcock (Taz)
In the 90s, monster truck fans were introduced to a driver who took unpredictability to a whole new level. Behind the wheel of Taz, Terry Woodcock became famous for turning chaotic flips into flawless landings. His ability to make the truck spin mid-air with precision set him apart and made every event feel like an action movie.
Interview with monster truck driver Terry Woodcock by 23ABC News | KERO
8. Tristan England (Earth Shaker)
Behind the wheel of Earthshaker, Tristan became a Monster Jam favorite with his signature "earthquake" spin and impressive speed, often hitting up to 70 mph in freestyle events. One of his most outstanding achievements was winning the 2018 Monster Jam World Finals Freestyle Championship, where he earned a perfect score of 30 points.
9. Jim and Dawn Creten (Black Stallion)
The dynamic partnership known as Black Stallion is one of the most iconic in monster truck history. The Creten duo dominated events throughout the 90s and early 2000s. Jim’s driving, paired with Dawn’s calculated control behind the wheel, made them special. At the 2003 World Finals, they showed everyone what teamwork means in this sport.
Kevin Cabral from Toronto, Canada on Wikimedia
10. Adam Anderson (Grave Digger)
When it comes to Grave Digger, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Adam Anderson, continuing his father Dennis’s tradition, made a name for himself with jaw-dropping flips and high-flying jumps. Adam’s defining moment came when he soared through the air at a World Finals and made his mark as an elite driver in the monster truck world.
11. Gary Porter (USA-1)
In the early days of monster trucks, there was one truck that ruled the competition: USA-1. Gary Porter’s driving made that truck a household name in the 80s, especially after his dominant performances at the first-ever Monster Jam World Finals. Porter’s strategic driving set the standard for future drivers.
Monster Truck Hall of Fame Legend Gary Porter by Hampton B. Allen Library
12. Todd LeDuc (Monster Energy)
When it came to high-flying thrills, only a few could match the might of Todd LeDuc and his fitting Monster Energy. This driver won the hearts of monster truck fanatics around the world in 2011 with a death-defying flip that became one of the most memorable stunts in monster truck history. LeDuc’s fearless approach made him one of the most exciting drivers on the circuit.
Get pumped for Monster Jam World Finals XX (20)! | Todd LeDuc Interview | Monster Jam by Monster Jam
13. Jim Koehler (The Avenger)
Known for his tireless commitment to entertaining the audience, Koehler never held back. His most memorable stunt was at the 2000 Monster Jam World Finals, where The Avenger flew higher than any other truck in the competition. Jim Koehler turned The Avenger into a crowd magnet with his high-energy performances.
Avenger Driver Jim Koehler - Media Day at Monster Jam World Finals XVII by Monster Jam
14. Scott Hartsock (Gun Slinger)
What’s special about Hartsock is his 30-year-long career as an independent operator in a sport that has been dominated by large teams and corporate ownership. Throughout his career, he worked hard to build Gun Slinger's fan base. Today, his truck is one of the most recognizable independent operations in monster truck competition.
15. Mark Hall (Raminator)
As the driver of one of the most iconic monster trucks in history, Hall has earned multiple World Finals championships. He is one of the most successful drivers in the sport’s history, and his truck was on top of the Monster Jam Hall of Fame. Notably, Mark Hall holds the record for the fastest speed achieved by a monster truck, reaching 99.1 mph in a race.
Raminator Guinness Record Feature | AutoMotoTV by AutoMotoTV
16. Krysten Anderson (Grave Digger)
The daughter of Grave Digger legend Dennis Anderson followed in her father’s footsteps and even made her own mark. Krysten’s rise in the sport was evident from her fearless driving and handling of Grave Digger. In 2017, she earned a podium finish at the Monster Jam World Finals and showed the world that the Anderson legacy was alive and well.
My First Backflip—Krysten Anderson | Monster Jam by Monster Jam
17. Ryan Anderson (Son-uva Digger)
At the 2014 World Finals, Ryan was nothing short of legendary. As another member of the Anderson family, Ryan took Son-uva Digger to new heights. With his gravity-defying stunts, Ryan turned heads when he launched the truck with insane flips and long air-time. His charisma helped him carve his own path in a sport dominated by his family’s legacy.
18. Bryce Kenny (Monster Mutt Dalmatian)
In the 2016 Monster Jam World Finals, Kenny scored 29 points. His execution of difficult stunts, like precise backflips and vertical jumps, impressed everyone! Kenny has also won numerous events on the Monster Jam stadium tour with skillful use of the truck's 1,500 horsepower engine and has achieved top speeds of 70 mph during races.
Bryce Kenny - What I'm Into | Monster Jam by Monster Jam
19. Bari Musawwir (Zombie)
If there’s someone who brought a unique twist to monster truck racing, it’s Bari Musawwir with his Zombie truck. He instantly won hearts. Zombie became a spectacle at every event. His 2014 World Finals performance, where he delivered an unforgettable freestyle run, sealed his place as a top driver. Musawwir’s creativity gave Zombie a standout personality.
Driver VS Toy: Bari Musawwir - Zombie | Monster Jam on Monster Jam
20. Candace Jolly (Dragon)
At the 2014 Monster Jam World Finals, she delivered a flawless freestyle that created her reputation as one of the sport’s most respected female drivers. Jolly shattered stereotypes in the monster truck world with Dragon, a truck that delighted fans not only with its fiery design but also with Jolly’s commanding presence on the track.
FS1 Cleatus vs Monster Mutt Dalmatian Monster Jam World Finals Racing Round 1 2016 by Monster Jam
