Stinger Unleashed (Previously and simply known as Stinger) is a Ford Raptor Trophy Truck monster truck owned by Zane Rettew and driven by Ceejay Rettew of Rettew Motorsports out of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Since its debut in 2011, the truck has been a staple of many monster truck leagues, and currently serves as the flagship truck for both Rettew Motorsports and the Renegade Monster Truck Tour.
History[]
Stinger was built in 2011 and entered its first full year of competition in 2012. During that year, it would mainly compete in the Toughest Monster Truck Tour. The truck debuted a new green paint scheme the following year, as Rettew began his first full season of competing in the Monster X Tour.
In 2014, Stinger would receive a new blue paint scheme and a new chassis, which was dubbed “Stinger 2K14.” At the end of the year, the truck would begin competing in Monster Jam, making its first appearance at the league’s final show of the season in Trenton, New Jersey. Stinger entered its first full year of competition with the league the following year.
In 2016, Stinger received a new chassis, which was dubbed “Stinger 3.0.” The truck also received an updated body style, featuring a more detailed scorpion tail plug. Rettew and the truck would win multiple wheelie and freestyle competitions in Monster Jam, going against the likes of Pablo Huffaker and Greg Winchenbach. In the fall, the previous chassis would be modified and converted into the truck’s teammate, Master of Disaster.
In 2017, Stinger would compete in Monster Jam Arena Championship Series 6. Rettew and the truck also competed in the final event of Arena Championship Series 5 in Tupelo, where they would win the overall event championship at the first show of the weekend. They would then be invited to compete in the Double Down Showdown at Monster Jam World Finals XVIII. At the start of the second quarter, the tail plug would be removed from the truck, and replaced with a standard Ford Raptor Trophy Truck bed.
Beginning in 2018, Stinger would be rebranded as Stinger Unleashed. The truck would also debut a new paint scheme and a new PEI chassis. Both Rettew and the truck competed in the Monster Jam Arena Championship Series, with Sean Duhon filling in for Rettew in the series’ shows in Hamilton. During the series, Rettew would win three overall event championships and finished fifth in the series standings.
In 2019, Stinger Unleashed would receive an updated body style and another new PEI chassis. The previous chassis would be converted into the truck’s third teammate, Pretty Wicked, being driven by Zane’s wife, Lindsey Rettew. Both trucks would compete in the Monster Jam Arena Championship Series, with Zane finishing in the runner-up position behind Randy Brown in Grave Digger.
In 2020, Stinger Unleashed would receive yet another new chassis, this time being a Cohen. The previous chassis would serve as a new chassis for Pretty Wicked, as the latter truck’s original chassis would be converted into Bearly Tame. The truck would run with both Monster Jam and the Monster X Tour, and later the Renegade Monster Truck Tour. During the said tour, Rettew and the truck established a rivalry with Cory Snyder in Toxic.
Stinger Unleashed would receive its fourth new chassis in 2021, this time being a Metal Shop Signature Series chassis. The previous chassis would become the new Bearly Tame. Meanwhile, Zane's son, Ceejay Rettew would also drive the truck for select shows.
For the 2022 season, Stinger Unleashed served as the team's sole competition truck, as the chassis' used by all three other trucks were sold off. Ceejay also takes over driving full-time. The chassis also runs as Pretty Wicked due to that truck not having a dedicated chassis. The truck debuts a 1991 Chevrolet body, created by Ceejay.
In 2023, Zane returns to driving the truck in Saginaw, Michigan. The trademark scorpion tail would briefly return in April.
In 2024, the truck returns to running on the Ford Raptor body.
List of Stinger chassis[]
As of 2022, Stinger Unleashed has run a total of seven chassis throughout its eleven-year lifespan. The following table displays the list of chassis the truck has run and their dispositions following retirement:
| Chassis | Builder | Debut | Retirement | Disposition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stinger 1 | J&B | 2011 | 2013 | Sold to Mike Harper of Harper Motorsports. Sold again to Wilmore Racing in 2017 and converted into Hardwired. |
| Stinger 2
(Stinger 2K14) |
J&B | 2014 | 2015 | Converted into Master of Disaster in late 2016. Sold in 2019; later purchased by Epidemic Motorsports in 2021 and converted into Mizz Titan. Eventually sold to John Fitzgerald and converted into Turbulence. |
| Stinger 3
(Stinger 3.0) |
J&B | 2016 | 2017 | Sold to Monster Trucks Australia and converted into Son of the Devil. |
| Stinger 4 | Patrick Enterprises
(PEI) |
2018 | 2018 | Converted into Pretty Wicked in 2019. Later converted into Bearly Tame in 2020. Rebuilt in 2021 and converted into Master of Disaster; sold to James Trantina III in August. |
| Stinger 5 | Patrick Enterprises
(PEI) |
2019 | 2019 | Converted into Pretty Wicked in 2020. Sold to James Trantina III in August 2021. |
| Stinger 6 | Paul Cohen | 2020 | 2020 | Converted into Bearly Tame in 2020. Sold to James Trantina III in August 2021. |
| Stinger 7 | The Metal Shop | 2021 | Currently in service. |
World Finals appearances[]
- 2017 - Zane Rettew (Double Down Showdown only)
Trivia[]
- The 2016 tail plug mold was custom made by Trey Myers.
- Stinger Unleashed is currently based out of Buck Motorsports Park in Buck, Pennsylvania.
- When asked if he likes scorpions, Zane will tell people that he actually has a fear for scorpions.
- The reason the tail plug was removed in 2017 was due to it being difficult to continuously make. Although it would return in 2023.
- Up until March 18, 2023, Stinger Unleashed held the record for most overall event championships in Monster Jam won by an independently owned monster truck, at 23. This would be broken by Terminal Velocity with its 24th event win at Huntsville, Alabama on the aforementioned date.
Gallery[]
.jpg "Stinger (1).jpg (353 KB)")
.jpg "Tulsa 010817 Bialek (13).jpg (507 KB)")
