Equalizer is a 1998 Chevrolet/GMC 2500 monster truck owned by Harper Motorsports since 2020. Originally created by David Morris and Gary Cook in 1988, the truck competed under Morris' ownership until 2002, when he sold the entire operation to Mike Hawkins out of Virginia. Hawkins was the most well-known owner and driver of the truck, competing from 2002-2018, when he sold the truck to the Monster X Tour the following year. The league continued to operate the truck until 2020, when it was eventually sold again. In 2022, it was revived by Mike Harper, the current owner of the Equalizer name, as part of the TNT Motorsports: Unfinished Business event and continues competing under his ownership.
History[]
Gary Cook era (1988-1990)[]
Equalizer was originally created in 1988 by Gary Cook and David Morris. The truck debuted at a TNT event in Indianapolis with Morris as the primary driver of the truck.
In 1989, Morris and the truck would win the TNT monster truck racing championship.
David Morris era (1990-2002)[]
In 1990, Cook would sell the truck to David Morris, who would briefly step away from driving. Rookie driver Greg Holbrook would take over the driving duties for the rest of the year. Later that year, the truck would debut a new blue paint scheme featuring splotches of white.
In 1991, Holbrook would step away from driving the truck. As a result, Jersey Outlaw driver Mike Wine would drive the truck for a short time. David Morris would eventually return to driving Equalizer.
In 1994, David Morris in Equalizer would win the East division of the USHRA Monster Wars point series.
In 1995, Equalizer would debut a new blue, white, and orange paint scheme on a late-model Chevrolet S-10 body.
In 1997, the truck won its second points championship, this time for USA Motorsports.
In mid-2001, Morris would debut a new paint scheme for the truck, featuring orange flames separating the blue and white and some H.R. Giger inspired artwork.
Mike Hawkins era (2002-2018)[]
In September 2002, Morris would sell the entire operation to Mike Hawkins out of Catlett, Virginia.[1]
In 2005, the truck ran as Stars & Stripes for a Route 66 kids drawing contest.
In 2006, a brand-new Equalizer debuted, featuring a new PEI chassis. The original chassis would be converted into its new teammate, Hot Tamale, and later Ragin’ Rebel the following year.
In 2008, The original Equalizer body would also be run on the Brutus chassis for a show in Nebraska, with Chris Bergeron driving.
In 2009, Equalizer debuted a new blue paint scheme.
In 2008 and 2009, Equalizer won racing and freestyle in the first two events of the Back to School Monster Truck Bash at the Charlotte dirt track.
In 2010, the truck would briefly resume using its original chassis for one show. The original chassis would continue to compete for select shows as Ragin’ Rebel until 2011, when it was restored to its original appearance as part of the International Monster Truck Hall of Fame, where it resides today. The truck would receive its only televised appearance under Hawkins in Indianapolis.
Brandon Budd drove the truck in Syracuse in 2011 or 2012. Troy Rose drove the truck in Charlotte for the Back to School Bash & also in Fredericksburg, Virginia in 2012. Equalizer would also be run on Hurricane Force for a show in 2013.
In 2014, Equalizer would debut a new paint scheme, this time featuring a white, blue, orange, and black gradient.
In 2015, former owner David Morris was inducted into the International Monster Truck Hall of Fame.
For the 2016 Monsters on the Beach event in Wildwood, New Jersey, Equalizer ran a multitude of spare parts, due to the truck’s original parts sustaining damage from a prior show. The parts used included a hood and two Goodyear tires from the original Storm Damage, a Firestone tire from Team Scream Racing, and a starter from Walking Tall. Hawkins would continue to drive Equalizer until his retirement a few years later.
In 2017, original owner Gary Cook was inducted into the International Monster Truck Hall of Fame.
Monster X Tour era (2019-2020)[]
In 2019, Hawkins retired, Equalizer Racing was acquired by the Monster X Tour[2]. Following the acquisition, Equalizer would debut a new dark blue paint scheme as Brian Harwood took over the driving duties. The tour’s ownership of the team would be short-lived however, as Equalizer, along with its teammate Red Solo Truck, were put up for sale the following year. Both trucks were purchased by Rod Schmidt in 2021, who converted Equalizer into Thrill Billy.
Harper Motorsports era (2022-present)[]
In September 2019, Mike Harper would trademark the Equalizer racing truck names, which eventually led to him bring back Equalizer for the TNT Motorsports: Unfinished Business event on April 16th, 2022, which Harper would organize. It returned on the Outlaw Racesource chassis with Greg Holbrook driving and would win the racing competition. The "Red Solo Truck" and "Hot Tamale" names would go to 2Xtreme Racing. A backup version was made on the former Texas Stomper truck, which turned into the truck's new competition chassis, driven by Berto Trevino. Mark Cole drove the truck in Coldwater, Michigan 2022.
In 2023, Preston Collins drives the truck.
USHRA World Finals appearances[]
- 1993 - David Morris
- 1994 - David Morris
- 1999 - David Morris
Trivia[]
- Equalizer was known for being the first truck to use a tube frame chassis, among other new pieces of equipment. This made the truck one of the most technologically advanced trucks of its time.
- Equalizer has had 5 different owners, the most of any truck.
Gallery[]
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.jpg "1993 OM-Equalizer (2).jpg (384 KB)")
.jpg "2004-2 31-Equalizer (1).jpg (363 KB)")
.jpg "2005 37-Equalizer (1).jpg (381 KB)")
References[]