The passing of a monster truck legend, and restoring a classic monster truck

Hello friends, today I have some melancholy news. As you may know I love cars, I love racing, and I am a super fan of monster trucks. I’ve written about the history of 4x4 culture extensively on this blog. One of my racing heroes died in September 5, 2025 in a traffic accident. Dan Runte was one of the drivers of the Bigfoot monster truck. He had a tremendous list of accomplishments, and could be considered among the elite class of drivers. In many circles, myself included, he was considered the best monster truck driver of all time. He always seemed kind, and funny in taped interviews. People that met him said it wasn’t an act. He was a genuinely kind, and funny person based on everything I had been reading about him for decades.

Dan Runte started working with the Bigfoot team in 1989 as a crew member. He worked his way up to driver, shop foreman, and eventually Vice President of Operations. The first truck he drove was Bigfoot 2. It had appeared in television shows, and movies more than 40 years ago. It may have been the most iconic of the trucks. Mr. Runte traveled the country, and world putting on shows with the rest of team Bigfoot. The company had developed many different trucks, including the infamous “Snake Bite” monster rival. He raced, and tested just about every monster truck generation developed in their headquarters at Pacific Missouri. The last one he drove was Bigfoot 24 in honor of the 50th anniversary of the truck. Mr. Runte retired from full time competition, yet still drove the trucks for special events until the time of his death. If you want to see what a great personality he had watch this interview covering the history of the Bigfoot monster trucks.

I’m sorry for Mr. Runte, his family, and his friends. I never got a chance to meet the driver, and always wished I had. He was one of the drivers that helped shape motorsports for the better. He set an example that would be impossible to beat. I didn’t want to leave this post on a sad note. Instead I wanted to celebrate the restoration of another classic truck. A decade ago I remember seeing a photo of an old school monster truck rusting in a field. I am happy to announce not long after the photo was taken The Texas Toy was restored to its former glory. The new owner was Rocky Rohde (that’s his real name!) he purchased it from the original owner Larry Cook. Mr. Rohde was the grandson of Curtis Reese whose 4x4 shop sponsored the truck, and helped repair the transmission decades ago.

It was great knowing that the generations that grew up on monster trucks were eager to restore, and preserve the trucks that inspired them. Hat's off to the Rohde family for sharing the truck with the fans. I know if I had the money, and ability I’d be doing the same. I always dream of winning the lottery so I can restore, or build my own old school monster truck as well. Hey a guy can dream can’t he? Did you have any race drivers that you looked up to? Were there any famous vehicles you wished you had seen first hand? Let me know about it in the comments section. As always if you enjoyed this blog, and would like to sponsor me please visit my Patreon page and consider donating each month, even as little as $1 would help make better blogs and even podcasts!