Kraken is a custom squid Cadillac Escalade monster truck owned by Tomfoolery Motorsports out of Deltona, Florida. It is driven by team owner Matt Pagliarulo's son, Nick Pagliarulo and is a teammate truck to Jester. Since its debut in 2018, the truck has become a fan favorite for its design. The truck is also a staple of various leagues, including Monster Truck Throwdown and Monster Jam.
History[]
Kraken was created in early 2018, and made its debut on July 21st of that year in Seekonk, Massachusetts, with Nick Pagliarulo behind the wheel.[1] At the time of its debut, the truck featured a temporary Cadillac Escalade paint scheme, which competed as a placeholder design throughout the remainder of the season, as its 3D body was still being built.
Kraken entered its first full year of competition in 2019, with its 3D body style having finally been completed by the end of the previous year. Pagliarulo and the truck would compete in Monster Jam Stadium Championship Series 3 & would debut in San Antonio. They finished 12th in the standings and would later be invited to compete in the Showdown at World Finals XX. During the Showdown, they would defeat Tony Ochs in Soldier Fortune Black Ops in the semi-final round, but would be unable to return for the championship round due to damage sustained in a crash during the race.
In 2020, Kraken competed in Monster Jam Stadium Championship Series Green. They would finish in 10th place after the series prematurely ended in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kraken then competed in select events throughout the remainder of the season. They were later featured at Monster jam's return show in Arlington. The following year, Kraken competed in select Monster Jam events throughout the summer and fall. During the said league, the truck would win several championships, including a freestyle championship in Hartford and two donut championships in Duluth and Greensboro. The truck would also compete in various Monster Truckz and Monster Truck Throwdown events.
In 2022, Kraken competed on Monster Jam Stadium Championship Series Red. Pagliarulo and the truck would win their first major freestyle championship in Tampa on Sunday during the series and would follow up with another one during one of the Biloxi shows. They also made an appearance in Arena Championship Series East in Louisville. The truck finishes 10th in standings with its teammate truck finishing in last. Nick would later receive the final invite for Monster Jam World Finals XXI, where Team Tomfoolery would debut a new blue squid design for Kraken. The truck would infamously suffer a tough break in freestyle where the truck would blow the motor after the truck's first hit and would not receive a score, along with Brandon Vinson and Cory Rummell. After the World Finals, they would return to running the green squid body. Michael Pagliarulo would later make his stadium debut in Orlando, driving Kraken.
Kraken's violent Tampa crash (@avengersracing).
In 2023, Kraken competes on Stadium Series Red with the blue body, along with new pink four-link bars and beadlocks. The season would be decent for Nick, finishing in tenth place. However, his season would be most famous for winning freestyle at the first Tampa show, Syracuse, notably being the first truck out, and Cleveland, where he and his brother Michael would finish in the top 2 positions. Notably during his winning run in Tampa, Nick would suffer a violent crash at end of his run where after getting big air off the elevated racing lane, he would side-slap hard on his right tires and would rebound violently off the ground and would land flat on the lid of the truck. Nick would leave uninjured, however, he would be unable to compete in the second Tampa show the next day. Although not receiving an invite to the World Finals main field, he made an appearance at the event as a high jump competitor.
In 2024, Nick competes on the east stadium tour & finished last. Michael subbed for Nick for the first month on the tour & in Indianapolis due to Nick's wife expecting his first child. For the Sunday Houston show in January, the truck ran as The Rod Ryan Show. Nick would return to the drivers seat in Tampa. However, Michael would stay on the tour, driving The Black Pearl in Minneapolis, Miami, Orlando and Jacksonville for an injured Cole Venard. The truck suffers lots of mechanical issues throughout the season. Nick is invited to compete in the Last Chance Qualifying event at the World Finals. A new pink & purple design debuts at said show. The truck made its video game debut in Monster Jam Showdown that same year. In Mansfield, Ohio at show 2, Nick wasn't feeling well part way through the show, so Chuckie Pauken drove the truck for donuts & freestyle. The pink & purple design is displayed before certain shows, but wouldn't compete until next year.
In 2025, Nick competes on the West stadium tour in the purple Kraken. He would finish 11th in the final standings. The blue body returns for the Tampa shows only. In Tremonton, Utah, Nick would sweep both shows. A new stars & stripes design was revealed at the World Finals. The body makes its debut in Canfield, Ohio.
World Finals appearances[]
| World Finals | Year | Driver(s) | Appearance | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monster Jam World Finals XX | 2019 | Nick Pagliarulo | Showdown |
|
| Monster Jam World Finals XXI | 2022 | Main field |
| |
| Monster Jam World Finals XXII | 2023 | High jump |
| |
| Monster Jam World Finals XXlll | 2024 | Last Chance Qualifying |
| |
| Monster Jam World Finals XXIV | 2025 | Nick Pagliarulo | Display only |
Video game appearances[]
Trivia[]
- The first chassis used by Kraken was the first PEI chassis that was used by Jester from 2015 until mid-2018.
- The 3D Kraken body was created with Starr Creations.
- The truck's theme song originated from the 2006 film Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.
- The blue & green versions appear in Monster Jam Showdown.
Gallery[]
.jpg "2021 AF Kraken (2).jpg (428 KB)")
References[]
- Creation of Kraken: (https://coral-impala-pz98.squarespace.com/kraken001)