You’ve seen the neon green. You’ve definitely heard that roar. If you’ve spent any time at a county fair or a packed stadium watching five-ton machines defy physics, you know exactly which truck I’m talking about. The Bad News Travels Fast monster truck is a staple of the industry, but it’s not just another vehicle in the fleet. It’s a piece of history that’s been through the ringer, survived the "old school" era of the sport, and came out the other side as a fan favorite.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a miracle these things stay in one piece.
Brandon Derrow, the man behind the wheel and the wrench, has turned this machine into a brand. It’s a family affair. It’s a grueling, 24/7 lifestyle that most people don’t see when they’re eating popcorn in the stands. The name itself is a classic play on words—a bit of a wink to the crowd that if something's going to go wrong, it's going to happen at 70 miles per hour while you're upside down.
The Origin Story of a Green Legend
The Bad News Travels Fast monster truck didn't just appear out of nowhere. It actually got its start back in the early 2000s. Originally, the name was associated with a different chassis, but when Brandon Derrow took the reins, he solidified the identity we see today. We’re talking about a custom-built body, usually a Chevrolet Silverado style, draped in that signature "radioactive" green and black paint job.
It’s loud. It’s bright. It’s basically impossible to miss.
In the early days, monster trucks were more about crushing cars in a straight line. It was simple. You hit a pile of junked sedans, you bounced a bit, and the crowd went wild. But the sport shifted. Now, a truck like Bad News Travels Fast has to perform backflips, moonwalks, and high-speed saves that look like they should snap an axle in half. Derrow has managed to keep the truck relevant through all these transitions, which is a testament to how well the machine is engineered.
What’s Under the Hood? The Tech of the Beast
People always ask what actually makes a monster truck move. It’s not just a big engine. It’s a masterpiece of mechanical stress management.
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- The Powerplant: We are looking at a 540 cubic inch big block Chevy engine. It’s supercharged. It runs on methanol. It pumps out roughly 1,500 horsepower.
- The Tires: Those massive BKT or Goodyear tires are 66 inches tall. They aren't just for show; they act as the primary suspension.
- The Shocks: Nitrogen-charged shocks with about 26 to 30 inches of travel. This is what allows the Bad News Travels Fast monster truck to land a 30-foot jump without the driver’s spine collapsing.
- The Weight: Roughly 10,000 to 12,000 pounds.
Think about that for a second. You are launching six tons of metal into the air using a fuel that’s basically pure alcohol. It’s violent. The heat coming off the headers is enough to singe your eyebrows if you're standing too close in the pits.
The Struggles of an Independent Team
Let's be real for a minute. It’s tough being an independent. You have the "corporate" trucks like Grave Digger or Max-D that have massive backing, entire shops of mechanics, and seemingly infinite budgets. Then you have guys like Brandon Derrow.
When something breaks on the Bad News Travels Fast monster truck, Brandon and his crew are the ones fixing it. Usually at 2:00 AM. In a parking lot. In the rain. That’s the grit that fans respect. You aren't just watching a driver; you’re watching a guy who spent all week welding the frame back together just so he could give you a two-minute freestyle run.
Why Fans Keep Coming Back for the Bad News
There is a psychological element to why this specific truck resonates. "Bad News Travels Fast" is a relatable sentiment. It’s a bit of outlaw energy. When that green truck rolls out of the tunnel, there’s an expectation of carnage.
Derrow is known for being a "smooth" driver, but he isn't afraid to let it rip. He’s won his fair share of freestyle competitions by finding lines on the track that other drivers ignore. He uses the obstacles differently. Sometimes, he’ll hit a ramp at an awkward angle just to see if the truck can handle the rotation. It’s that unpredictable nature that earns high scores from the judges—and even higher cheers from the bleachers.
You’ve probably seen the truck at Monster Jam events or independent circuits like the Toughest Monster Truck Tour. It doesn't matter the venue; the mission is the same: break something or win everything.
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The Safety Evolution
It wasn't always this safe. Back in the day, drivers wore basic helmets and sat in seats that were barely bolted down. Today, the Bad News Travels Fast monster truck is a rolling roll cage. The driver sits in the middle of the chassis—not on the left side like a normal car. This keeps them away from the impact zones.
There are RII (Remote Ignition Interrupter) switches. If a truck gets out of control or flips, an official can literally shut off the engine from the sidelines with a remote. It’s high-tech chaos. Derrow is strapped into a five-point harness and wears a HANS device to prevent neck injuries. Even with all that, you still feel the hit in your teeth when the truck bottoms out.
The Reality of the "Monster" Lifestyle
I spoke to a few crew members at a show recently, and the consensus is simple: you have to be crazy to do this. The Bad News Travels Fast monster truck travels thousands of miles every year. The hauler is basically a mobile apartment and machine shop combined.
- Monday-Wednesday: Tear down the truck. Check for hairline cracks in the frame.
- Thursday: Load the hauler and drive 500 miles.
- Friday: Tech inspection and qualifying.
- Saturday: The main event. Two shows a day sometimes.
- Sunday: Drive home or to the next city.
It’s a cycle that never ends. And for what? For the three seconds of airtime and the smell of burnt methanol. For the kids who line up at the pit party to get a signed hero card. That’s the fuel that keeps the Bad News Travels Fast team going when the bank account is low and the spare parts are running out.
Common Misconceptions About the Truck
One big myth is that these trucks are "easy" to drive because they have rear-wheel steering. In reality, that makes it twice as hard. You’re essentially controlling two different cars at once. Your right hand is working the shifter and the rear steer toggle, while your left hand is on the wheel. It’s a dance. If you mistime the rear steer on a landing, the truck will bite the dirt and barrel roll before you can blink.
Another thing people get wrong? The cost. You aren't buying a monster truck for the price of a Ford F-150. A top-tier chassis like the one used for Bad News Travels Fast monster truck can cost upwards of $150,000 to $250,000 to build from scratch. Each tire is about $2,500. A single engine rebuild can cost more than a mid-sized sedan.
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This isn't a hobby; it’s a high-stakes financial gamble every time the green flag drops.
What Really Happened in Recent Seasons?
The truck has seen some evolution lately. We’ve seen updates to the body style and some serious tweaks to the shock tuning. Derrow has been leaning into more technical freestyle moves—think "slap wheelies" where the truck bounces on its back tires for half the length of the arena.
While some trucks have gone "corporate" and lost their soul, Bad News Travels Fast feels like a throwback. It feels like the mid-90s in the best way possible. It’s loud, it’s green, and it doesn't apologize for being a bit rough around the edges.
The team has also been more active on social media, giving fans a "behind the curtain" look at the repairs. Watching a video of a bent tie rod being straightened with a torch and a sledgehammer tells you more about the sport than any glossy commercial ever could.
How to Support the Bad News Travels Fast Team
If you want to see the Bad News Travels Fast monster truck in person, you need to check the local schedules for independent tours. While they do hit the big Monster Jam stadiums, they shine in the smaller arenas where the crowd is closer to the action and the dirt is fresh.
- Go to the Pit Party: This is where you actually meet Brandon and the crew. Look at the size of the shocks up close. It’ll blow your mind.
- Buy the Merch: Independent teams rely on t-shirt sales. That money goes directly into the diesel tank for the hauler or a new set of spark plugs.
- Follow the Journey: Keep up with their schedule on social media. They often post updates about which state they’re heading to next.
The world of monster trucks is changing. Electric trucks are being tested. Hybrid systems are being discussed. But as long as there is dirt and a crowd wanting to hear a V8 scream, the Bad News Travels Fast monster truck will be there, defying gravity and probably breaking a few parts along the way.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the official Toughest Monster Truck Tour or Monster Jam schedules to find the next appearance of Bad News Travels Fast in your region.
- Research local "Pit Party" times before the event starts; this is the only way to see the engineering of the truck up close and meet the Derrow team.
- If you're an aspiring builder, look into "Mega Truck" or "Mud Bog" kits to understand the basics of 4-link suspension systems, which serve as the foundation for modern monster truck technology.
- Support independent teams by purchasing authentic merchandise directly from the driver’s booth at events rather than third-party resellers.
The longevity of this truck isn't an accident. It's the result of decades of sweat, a lot of broken metal, and a name that perfectly captures the chaotic spirit of the sport. Bad news might travel fast, but this truck travels faster.