The Patriot was a Chevrolet Silverado monster truck owned and driven by Dan Rodoni out of Santa Cruz, California. Since its debut in 2004, the truck was known for becoming one of the most successful monster trucks to be based out of the West Coast. The truck was also a staple of several monster truck leagues across the West Coast, including Monster Jam, where the truck competed in the World Finals in 2014.
History[]
The Patriot was originally created in 2003, and would began competition the following years summer with Dan Rodoni behind the wheel. At the time of its debut, the truck featured a silver paint scheme, with the phrase “Freedom Is Forever” displayed on the side panels. The truck would enter its first full year of competition the following year, and later received an updated paint scheme, which was first unveiled at the Monster Jam World Finals VI pit party.
In 2009, The Patriot received a brand-new blue paint scheme. In Anaheim, the truck had a crazy bicycle in freestyle, before flipping over. The following year, the truck would run as Donkey Kong for a Monster Jam show in Anaheim, and would later be featured as one of ten trucks for the encore performances at Monster Jam World Finals XI. Meanwhile, the truck would also run a one-off Breast Cancer Awareness paint scheme.
As part of a Fourth of July exhibition at an air show, The Patriot received a special hand-painted design, which was reminiscent of its original silver paint scheme from 2005-08. Said scheme would be run on the Tropical Thunder chassis, and the truck performed a special freestyle exhibition at the show. Meanwhile, the truck would also run as Break the Chain for one show, with Aaron Basl driving.
The Patriot received a new Racesource chassis for the 2013 season, with the previous being converted into a new chassis for teammate Tropical Thunder. The following year, the truck received a new paint scheme from Cadillac Design in celebration of its 10th anniversary. Prior to that, The Patriot would run as El Toro Loco for select shows throughout the first quarter. Rodoni and the truck would later be invited to compete in Monster Jam World Finals XV.
The Patriot would again run as El Toro Loco for select shows throughout the first quarter of the 2015 season. Meanwhile, Andrew Peckham would run the name on the Tropical Thunder chassis, and would later be invited to compete in the Young Guns Shootout at Monster Jam World Finals XVI.
Beginning in 2016, the team would greatly reduce their schedule. From that year onward, The Patriot competed exclusively in events hosted in Red Bluff. The truck continued to compete until 2021 when the chassis was acquired by Harper Motorsports and converted into a second Outlaw.
World Finals appearances[]
- 2014 - Dan Rodoni
- 2015 - Andrew Peckham (Young Guns Shootout only)
Trivia[]
- During pit parties and displays, The Patriot often wore a full front grill, which included a bumper. This bumper would be removed before all competitions to maximize visibility from under the truck.
- The truck ran as Obsessed for a singular commercial.
- The original chassis is now used for the new Outfoxed truck.
Gallery[]
