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The Destroyer (also known simply as Destroyer) was a Ford F-150 monster truck created and owned by Dan Evans out of Scottsville, Michigan from 1999, until being sold to Roger Stidell in late 2011. Under Evans' ownership, the truck was best remembered for its signature reverse moves in freestyle. The truck has not competed since 2016, due to it being held by Tony Canedo following delinquent payment from a borrowed engine.
History[]
1999[]
The Destroyer was originally created by Dan Evans in 1999, when Dan Evans purchased the previous Blue Max truck from Larry Nukaya. At the time of its debut, the truck featured a blue paint scheme.
2000[]
The blue paint scheme was replaced by the iconic red paint scheme, as a new truck was constructed. It was also that year in which Evans would begin performing his signature reverse move in freestyle.
2001[]
Evans and The Destroyer would be invited to compete at Monster Jam World Finals II. During the said event, they would be eliminated in the semi-final round of racing by Tom Meents in Goldberg and finished 11th in freestyle.
2004[]
The Destroyer received a new red-black paint scheme.
2005[]
The truck received a new reverse-colored paint scheme. That same year, Evans and the truck would be invited to compete at Monster Jam World Finals VI, after a 4-year absence from the event and received a special yellow paint scheme for the occasion.
The yellow body was used again in Stafford Springs, Connecticut & Birch Run, Michigan.
2006[]
Dan's son, Deric Evans drove the truck in Richmond, Virginia.
2007[]
The original Destroyer chassis continued to compete until it was (fittingly enough) destroyed after Evans performed his signature reverse move during the freestyle competition at Monster Jam World Finals VIII.
2008[]
A brand-new Destroyer would be constructed afterward, featuring a new Ford F-150 body style, paint scheme, and PEI chassis. Meanwhile, the previous chassis would be sold to Chad Mathison and converted into T-Rex.
2009[]
This year would mark the last year in which Evans and The Destroyer were invited to compete in the Monster Jam World Finals. There, they were eliminated in round one of racing by Alex Blackwell in Captain’s Curse and finished seventeenth in freestyle.
2010[]
Dan's son Deric would drive the truck in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
2011[]
Evans would continue to operate The Destroyer until 2011, when he joined FELD Motorsports to drive the recently introduced Team Hot Wheels Firestorm for the 2012 Monster Jam season. He then sold the entire ownership of The Destroyer to Roger Stidell out of Washington.
2012[]
After Stidell acquired ownership of The Destroyer, the truck began its first full year of competition under his ownership. It was also that year in which the truck began touring alongside Canedo Motorsports.
2013[]
The Destroyer received an all-new design, featuring a Ford F-150 trophy truck body style.
2016[]
Following an appearance at Monster Jam in Oakland, the truck was placed on indefinite hiatus due to financial issues, as well as a falling out with Canedo Motorsports because of disputes involving unpaid money from a motor that Tony Canedo let Roger borrow.
As of 2025, the truck is currently sitting inside a garage in California with no foreseeable plans to return.
World Finals appearances[]
| Year | Driver | Results | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Dan Evans | Qualifying: 14th (21.33) | Racing: defeated in semi-finals by Goldberg1 | Freestyle: 11th (23) | |||
| 2005 | Qualifying: 14th (19.56) | Racing: defeated in round 2 by Madusa | Freestyle: 5th (26) | ||||
| 2006 | Qualifying: 15th (18.16) | Racing: defeated in round 1 by Predator | Freestyle: 10th (22) | ||||
| 2007 | Qualifying: 22nd (18.00) | Racing: defeated in round 2 by Iron Outlaw1 | Freestyle: 10th (23) | ||||
| 2008 | Qualifying: 20th (18.28) | Racing: defeated in round 1 by An Escalade | Freestyle: 23rd (5) | ||||
| 2009 | Qualifying: 22nd (17.72) | Racing: defeated in round 1 by Captain's Curse | Freestyle: 17th (17) | ||||
Notes[]
1Lost in round 1, but returned when opponent was unable to continue.
Video game appearances[]
- Monster Jam: Maximum Destruction
- Monster 4X4: Masters of Metal
- Monster Jam (2007)
- Monster Jam: Urban Assault
- Monster Jam: Path of Destruction
Trivia[]
- The Destroyer's freestyle performance at World Finals II was cut from DVD airings of the show, along with Sudden Impact, although they were broadcasted during the live PPV.
- In the video games Monster Jam and Monster Jam: Urban Assault, The Destroyer uses the battleship paint scheme from 2007-2012, with the previous Chevrolet S-10 body style. It would be corrected in the Path of Destruction video game.
- The 2007-2012 paint job had a warship on the side which, fittingly, was called Destroyer.
- Despite being officially named The Destroyer, the truck was rarely, if ever, referred to by this name, with announcers and television broadcasts only calling it Destroyer.
- One of the crew chiefs for Dan Evans was the father of Tim Hall Jr. Dan's wife & son Deric were also crew members.
Gallery[]
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Merchandise gallery[]
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