Ron Nelson (Born September 11th, 1958) is a monster truck owner and driver out of Conroe, Texas. He is the owner and driver of Bustin' Loose and its alter-ego Dirt Eater, and has also frequently driven for Predator Racing. He is currently the oldest known active monster truck driver since the death of Jack Koberna on January 5th, 2024 (who was born a week before Ron).
Career[]
Ron started competing in 1994 driving Bowtie Bandit, being a former King Krunch display truck, which also ran as King Krunch once the following year.
In the summer of 1995, Ron converted Bowtie Bandit into Texas Longhorn. Later in the year, Texas Longhorn would be renamed to Bustin' Loose after a public naming contest.
In 1996, Ron briefly drove Grave Digger for Dennis Anderson.
In 1999 at the November Houston Monster Jam show, Ron won freestyle on TV with a score of a 19, although the true winner of the event was Predator with a score of 28. Predator's freestyle run would not be televised.
After several mildly successful seasons in Bustin' Loose during the early 2000's, Nelson drove a second High Roller monster truck for Clear Channel (now FELD Motorsports) in 2003. Also in 2003, Ron drove El Toro Loco for Lupe Soza at the Pontiac show and broke the rear axle off the truck in freestyle. After a violent crash in Yakima, Washington during a race against Grave Digger, Ron would no longer drive for Clear Channel.
Beginning in 2004, Ron has made several appearances as a driver for Allen Pezo. He has driven Predator, Pouncer, Lone Eagle and Prowler for Pezo on numerous occasions.
In 2016, Ron re-debuted Bustin' Loose & still drives it full-time as of 2025.
In 2018, Ron debuted Dirt Eater, the alter ego to Bustin' Loose, using the 2002 Bustin' Loose body.
In 2019, Ron drove El Matador for DRF Motorsports.
In 2021, Ron drove Nitro Hornet in Lufkin, Texas.
In 2023, Ron returned to driving Pouncer.
USHRA World Finals appearances[]
- 1999 - Bustin' Loose
Gallery[]
