Black Stallion

Black Stallion
Black Stallion circa 2018
Owner	Michael Vaters
Drivers	Michael Vaters and Joe Sylvester
Body	2008 Ford F-150
Engine	540 C.I. Ford Performance (big block, blown, fuel injected on methanol)
Transmission	2-speed FTI Performance Powerglide w/ Profab drop down quick change transfer case
Tires	BKT 66"x43"x25"
Debut	July 1981
Theme song	"(Ghost) Riders in the sky" by The Outlaws

Black Stallion is a Ford F-150 monster truck driven by Michael Vaters out of Hagerstown, Maryland and Joe Sylvester, former Bad Habit driver/owner, out of Boardman, Ohio. Vaters is one of the longest driving performers, with over 36 years behind the wheel. The truck has appeared in 5 Monster Jam World Finals.

1980s

Black Stallion began as a street legal truck before becoming a leaf spring truck, performing car crushes along the East Coast

1990s

Vaters moved up to a tube chassis truck in 1996 called Black Stallion 2000 and was featured in the games Monster Truck Madness 2 and Monster Truck Madness 64. Vaters also ran the Thunder Nationals series, where a large chunk of his success came from. Vaters competed with his then-wife, Pam Vahle , who ran the truck Boogey Van.

2000s

The 2000s was arguably the most successful years for the team. Vaters dominated the Thunder Nationals series, and had multiple appearances in the Monster Jam World Finals, and was also featured in the video game Monster Jam: Urban Assault. Vaters also unveiled Iron Warrior, a teammate truck for Black Stallion.

2010s

In 2011, Vaters began a partnership with Safety-Kleen products, debuting a brand new look for Black Stallion which is run to this day.

In 2015, Matt Cody ran a Black Stallion on his Iron Warrior chassis as Vaters ran the third Monster Mutt Rottweiler on his Black Stallion chassis.

In 2016, Black Stallion celebrates its 35th Anniversary and runs a special decal on the back of the truck. Meanwhile, two Black Stallions were run as Vaters went back to driving the name while Cody continued to run Black Stallion on his chassis. Vaters competed at the 2016 Fox Sports 1 Series.

In 2017, Cody ran a Blue Thunder body on Iron Warrior for the More Monster Jam Tour making Vaters the only one left driving the name. Vaters competes at one of the Monster Jam Stadium Tours.

In 2018, Vaters ran the truck on another Monster Jam Stadium Tour.

In 2019, Vaters starts to share driving duties with Joe Sylvester during the first quarter of the 2019 season.

World Finals Appearances

2001 - Michael Vaters

2002 - Michael Vaters

2003 - Michael Vaters

2005 - Michael Vaters

2008 - Michael Vaters

Gallery